Jesse McReynolds is 80 today

Jesse McReynolds on WSFA in Montgomery, Alabama about 1962Jesse Lester McReynolds, mandolin player extraordinaire, celebrates his 80th birthday today (7/9/09).

Born in Coburn, Virginia, McReynolds, known for his innovative cross-picking and split-string styles of playing the mandolin, partnered his late brother, Jim, in the pioneering bluegrass band Jim and Jesse & the Virginia Boys, formed in 1947.

For the next 55 years the duo performed their original style of bluegrass music around the world, employing a number of equally innovative musicians and recording extensively. They were members of the Grand Ole Opry for over three decades and Jesse continues to perform regularly on that august stage.

In 1993 they were inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame and, in 1997, Jesse and Jim were presented with our nation’s highest honour in the folk and traditional arts, the National Heritage Fellowship Award. Jesse is a multiple Grammy nominee and award winner.

McReynolds is the co-winner of the IBMA Instrumental Recording, Mandolin Extravaganza and was nominated in 2005 for IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year for his stellar collection of mostly original songs, Bending the Rules.

As well as being noted for his exceptional mandolin playing, Jesse McReynolds is a gifted songwriter and arranger, whose singing is immediately identifiable.

This year marks McReynolds’s 62nd anniversary in music, with his birthday celebrated at a festival in his honour on July 10 and 11 at his Pick Inn Music Park in Gallatin, Tennessee.

In 1984, while in London, England, Jesse McReynolds was interviewed by John Baldry and the late Jan Jerrold for British Bluegrass News. You can read that interview online.

Here’s a classic clip of Jim & Jesse from 1976.

YouTube Preview ImageHappy Birthday Jesse!

0 Comments
Leave a comment
Comments are open and unmoderated for our registered users, only your first comment will require approval before publication. Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of The Bluegrass Blog. Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their content by The Bluegrass Blog.

TrackBack URI

You must

  • Register
  • and Log in in to leave comments.

    Happy Birthday Jesse!

    Yesterday, July 9, was Jesse McReynolds' 78th birthday. I spoke with Jesse, and his wife Joy, via email yesterday and they sent along this photo of Jim & Jesse, sitting on the steps outside their old homeplace in SouthWest Virginia. Jesse believes this photo was taken in 1932, when he was only...

    Save the Date – Jesse McReynolds’ 80th Birthday Bash

    Summer Pick Inn Party & Jesse McReynolds' 80th Birthday Bash The Pick Inn 550 Zieglers Fort Road GALLATIN, TENNESEE Friday 4-9 p.m. Saturday 12-9 p.m. July 10 & 11, 2009 For more information Website: www.jimandjesse.com Phone: 615.452.7321 Email: jimandjesse@bellsouth.net A...

    Mr Jesse McReynolds

    I first met Jesse McReynolds in Pensacola, FL in the mid 50's. He and Jim were doing shows for Crestview Mobile Homes owner and traveling all over north Florida and surrounding areas. My dad also working with Mr Dobson and I had many occasions to be around Jesse and his music. I enjoyed his Music,...

    Jesse McReynolds Mandolin Camp

    For all you mandolin pickers out there, here's an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Jesse McReynolds is hosting a mandolin camp at his Pick Inn next month, July 11-12, 2008. The two day event begins with a reception and meal on Friday evening, followed by a jam session in the pavilion. Saturday...

    Jesse McReynolds – 2006 Uncle Dave Heritage Award

    The Murfreesboro Post in Tennessee had a story on Monday announcing Jesse McReynolds as the recipient of the Uncle Dave Macon Heritage Award for 2007. This honor is given annually in the memory of the great Uncle Dave, with past honorees including such luminaries as Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, John Hartford,...

    Jesse McRenolds with Family & Friends

    Legend Jesse McReynolds will be joined by family members and friends to usher in a new era of bluegrass music and family harmonies. Wednesday, July 16th at 9:00 PM at the Station Inn, Jesse will be joined by grandchildren Luke McKnight, Garrett McReynolds and Amanda Lynn McReynolds as well as a collection...

    Jesse McReynolds – GrassCast Interview #51

    Listen now: (IE users click to activate) This week's guest on The GrassCast is mandolin legend and Grand Ole Opry star, Jesse McReynolds. Jesse has a new CD out titled Dixie Road. He had a copy with him at IBMA and we sat and talked about the recording. In the interview we preview 4 tracks from...

    JESSE McREYNOLDS HOSTS THE 2ND ANNUAL FALL PICK INN PARTY OCTOBER 24TH & 25TH

    Jesse and Joy McReynolds invite you to the Pick Inn in beautiful Gallatin, Tennessee for the second annual FALL PICK INN PARTY on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th. This two day, music-filled celebration will feature some of Nashville's most talented musicians, country arts and crafts,...

    Del and Jesse on The Opry this weekend

    Lots of good bluegrass on the Grand Ole Opry again this weekend, Saturday January 7. The Del McCoury Band will perform during the 8:00 to 8:30 segment, and then again in the 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. spot. Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys will be featured in the 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. slot, and then in the...

    Bill Monroe Tribute shows

    This post is another contribution from Richard Thompson, who has provided several special pieces to The Bluegrass Blog as we recall Bill Monroe today. In light of this ten year anniversary, many aficionados have organised special events to mark the occasion. Last night there were concerts in Athy,...

    Bill Monroe birthday bash at the Opry

    OK... it's part of a celebration of the Grand Ole Opry's 80th anniversary, not Bill Monroe's birthday, but the Opry is hosting a special Bill Monroe Bluegrass Celebration on October 15 at 1:00 p.m. The show will feature performances by Larry Sparks, Melonie Cannon, Shawn Camp, The Grascals and Opry members...

    McReynolds’ Radio Show now online

    Bluegrass legend Jesse McReynolds has benn hosting a live radio show on WHIN Radio 1010 AM in Gallatin, TN, for a while now. But, being a local radio station, the show was previously unavailable for those outside WHIN's broadcast area. The station has just gone online with a live stream though, so...