Here is another remembrance of Uncle Josh Graves, who passsed away last Saturday (9/30) in Nashville after a long battle with a number of serious health concerns. It is from dobroist, and Graves devotee, Randy Kohrs.

Upon hearing of Uncle Josh Graves’ passing just two hours earlier as I was walking off the stage after playing with my band at the IBMA FanFest, a couple of saddening thoughts really struck me. How many people can actually say they revolutionized an instrument? He literally dissected the way the dobro was played, turned it over and examined it, and then went and invented a whole new way to get these incredible tones, incorporating Earl Scruggs’ three-finger roll and a lot of blues. He poured his soul into every note of his playing, a trait that made him one of my biggest influences. He’s one of the main ones I listened to, one of my musical heroes, as I was growing up learning to play, as does virtually every other Dobro player still to this day.

I recently came across some old video footage of Flatt & Scruggs on the Opry in the ’50’s that I’d never seen. Some of the licks he played back then made me realize just how ahead of his time he was. Although the Dobro has continued to evolve, just like every other instrument, by today’s standards, he would still rank among the best in the world. He was clean, consistent, had great timing, and just the right amount of flash to suit the song. Not only was his musicianship impressive, he was just an overall great entertainer. He never let an opportunity go by for a funny, quick-witted comment.

If it wasn’t for Josh, the modern day sounds of musicians like Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge would certainly have suffered. This goes without saying in my own regard, but I will say that it is hard to play a 3 hour recording session and not cross ground that Josh already covered. Although Josh may have crossed over to play with an ever growing angel band, he certainly has left an army of fellow resophonic guitarists to carry on and continue to carry the Dobro-torch in his honor.

With the passing of Uncle Josh still fresh in our recent memories, artist/photographer Adam Carlos sent us this photo from the tribute performance that occurred last Saturday evening at the IBMA Fan Fest. Please remember his family during this difficult time.

Over the next few days, we hope to publish a number of brief tributes to Josh Graves from resonator guitarists whose own music was shaped in part by Josh’s.

This first comes from Mike Auldridge:

Josh Graves influenced my life beyond mere words of gratitude. He changed my life. I would not be a professional musician, or even have any real burning desire to play the steel guitar at all, had I not discovered his wonderful playing when I was about 12 years old. He became my mentor and then good friend, when I decided to try music as a profession. I will miss Josh deeply.

This next comes from Phil Leadbetter:

I don’t think I would have ever played the dobro guitar if it had not been for Josh Graves. The dobro guitar world changed forever on September 30th 2006 when we lost Uncle Josh. I will always treasure the first time I ever met Josh when I was only 12 years old, and he let me get up on stage and pick “Shuckin’ The Corn” with him in Maryville, TN in 1974. It was one of the highlights of my career. I have been blessed knowing Uncle Josh and calling him a friend. We lost a musical giant when we lost Josh.

We just received word concerning the funeral arrangements for Uncle Josh Graves.

The funeral will be held at the Madison Funeral Home in Madison, TN. The visitation is today, October 2 from 2-8 pm and tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm. The funeral is tomorrow, October 3, at 1 pm.

You can send cards and flowers to:

Madison Funeral Home
219 E Old Hickory Blvd.
Madison, TN 37115

The phone number for the funeral home is (615) 868-9020