Mandolinist Danny Roberts hails from Leitchfield, Kentucky. He emerged as a founding member of New Tradition, a bluegrass gospel ensemble renowned for its extensive touring endeavors throughout the 1990s. This group garnered widespread acclaim and delivered a total of eight exquisitely crafted albums, including two productions under Mountain Home Music Company. Notably, New Tradition served as a veritable “school of bluegrass,” nurturing musicians who would later embark on fruitful collaborations with luminaries such as the Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and the Special Consensus.
At the dawn of the new millennium, Roberts embarked on a professional sojourn with Gibson Musical Instruments, ultimately ascending to the positions of Head of the Mandolin Division and Nashville Plant and Repair Supervisor. Subsequently, he established his own reputable repair service, named Just Off The Bench. Notwithstanding his ardent commitment to Gibson, Roberts played an instrumental role in the formation of The Grascals, an award-winning sextet that rapidly ascended to the upper echelons of the bluegrass hierarchy.
The talents of this ensemble were promptly recognized, as they secured the International Bluegrass Music Association’s prestigious Song and Emerging Artist of the Year accolades in 2005, followed by the crowning achievement of the Association’s preeminent Entertainer of the Year honors in both 2006 and 2007. Remarkably, Roberts remains an indispensable member of The Grascals, lending his virtuosic mandolin skill and seniority to the group’s melodic tapestry.
In 2004, Danny Roberts released his inaugural solo album, Mandolin Orchard, to a fervent audience. However, it was in 2014 that he made his debut as a solo artist under the banner of Mountain Home Music Company with the release, Nighthawk. This highly anticipated offering cemented Roberts’ status as a formidable presence in the realm of bluegrass music, captivating aficionados with his masterful compositions and dexterous musicianship.
Danny Roberts has released various singles, including “Small Town America” (Mountain Home Records, 2022) featuring Danny Roberts on mandolin and lead vocals; Andrea Roberts on bass and harmony vocals; Jaelee Roberts on harmony vocals; Tony Wray on banjo and guitar. Next came “How I Live, How I’ll Die” (Mountain Home Records, 2023) with Danny Roberts on mandolin and lead vocals; Dennis Parker on harmony vocals; Andrea Roberts on bass; Tony Wray on banjo and guitar; Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle; and Adam Haynes on fiddle. Lastly, “My Brown Eyed Darling” (Mountain Home Records, 2023) with this lineup: Danny Roberts on mandolin; Andrea Roberts on bass; Tony Wray on banjo and guitar; Adam Haynes on fiddle; Andrea Roberts on lead and harmony vocals; and Jaelee Roberts on harmony vocals.
Discography:
Mandolin Orchard (Butler Music Group, 2004)
Nighthawk (Mountain Home Music Company, 2014)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.