Dobro

The passing of Uncle Josh Graves

Sad to hear today of the passing of Uncle Josh Graves, the father of Bluegrass Dobro.

Josh Graves first heard the dobro played by the Carlisle Brothers singing Jimmy Rodgers songs when he was nine years old. He loved the sound and it became his musical passion.

After seeing him play on the Grand Ol Oprey, Flatt & Scruggs engaged him as a bass player. Within a couple of weeks, Graves had adapted the banjo picking rolls of Earl Scruggs to the Dobro, which was quite handy in maintaining the popular sound of Bluegrass up against fierce competition from early rock 'n roll. He could play like a demon and kick back into a bluesy cruise.  read more »