Jesse 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.

Happy Birthday Jesse!

There are a number of bluegrass acts performing this weekend on the Grand Ole Opry. If you will be near your radio – and are within the huge WSM radio footprint – or close to your computer, you can catch some top bands live tonight (11/28) and tomorrow as well.

Tonight’s show will include performances from Dailey & Vincent, The Whites and Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. On Saturday night, The Whites are back, along with Melonie Cannon (with Randy Kohrs), and Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys.

The Friday Opry is broadcast from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (EST) and the Saturday show runs from 8:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Both shows are available over the air on WSM AM 650, on XM channel 11 (XM Nashville), and simulcast worldwide via online streaming at wsmonline.com.

West Virginia author B. L. Dotson-Lewis has published her third book on the people and culture of the Appalachian region.

The Sunny Side of Appalachia: Bluegrass from the Grassroots traces the early days of the music through first person oral histories from seminal grassers Everett Lilly, Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Osborne and Aubrey Holt. Their stories are related verbatim, retaining the dialectical quirks of the original conversations.

The focus is on how these early artists told the stories of mountain people through their songs, and how they continued to do so against the odds stacked against them – dismissive record companies, low wages and small town venues.

Lewis also includes a narrative on Bill Monroe based on her research of available resources, and personal testimony from friends and business associates.

The book runs to 184 pages and is printed with large text and many black and white photos. It sells for $15.95 and can be ordered online.

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 consists of four sessions, a morning workshop, afternoon workshop, an evening concert, and a late night jam session with Jesse and students.

The workshop fee is $500, and attendance is limited. The fee does not include accommodations. Some accommodations are available at the Pick Inn, but they will be reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. There is a state park across the street, available for camping. Gallatin, TN is a short 10 minute drive away if you prefer the comforts of a hotel.

I’ll be teaching crosspicking, split-string style playing, and much more. Call my wife Joy at (615)452-7321 for more information and to make your reservation. Hope to see you there!