Wikipedia

Marshall Wilborn

Marshall Wilborn is an American bluegrass music bass player and composer best known for his work with the Johnson Mountain Boys, Longview, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and the Lynn Morris Band.

Marshall Wilborn
Born (1952-03-12) March 12, 1952 (age 72)[1]
Austin, Texas
GenresBluegrass music
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Bass, vocals, banjo
Years active1982–present
LabelsPinecastle, Rounder

Biography

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Early years

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Wilborn was raised in Austin, Texas. He first played banjo, but because so many of his friends also preferred the banjo, Wilborn learned to play the bass.[2]

In 1981, Wilborn met Lynn Morris at a jam session in Austin. In 1982, when the bassist position opened in Morris's Pennsylvania band Whetstone Run, Wilborn took the job.[3] Besides Morris and Wilborn, the band included Lee Olsen (mandolin) and Mike Gorrell (guitar). Wilborn stayed with Whetstone Run until 1986.[4][5]

In 1986, Wilborn spent several months playing in Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys.[3] Then he received an invitation to join the Johnson Mountain Boys, replacing bassist Larry Robbins.[1][6]

Lynn Morris Band

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Wilborn co-founded the Lynn Morris band in 1988, and in 1989 Wilborn and Morris wed.[7] The group had to disband following Lynn Morris’ stroke in 2003. They released their first album Lynn Morris Band in 1990; Bramble and the Rose in 1992; Mama’s Hand in 1995, You’ll Never Be the Sun in 1999, and Shape of a Tear in 2003.[8] Morris suffered a stroke in 2003, effectively disbanding the group. Her recovery has been slow but steady, and she reunited with her band on stage in 2011.[9]

Root 5

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In 1999, Wilborn released Root 5, an album of bass instrumentals accompanied by banjo. Wilborn played bass and banjo, and was accompanied by Morris, David McLaughlin, Tom Adams, Tony Furtado, Alan Munde, Craig Smith, Ron Stewart, Scott Vestal, and Pete Wernick.[10] Root 5 was nominated for Instrumental Recording of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).[11]

Longview

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In 1994, Wilborn formed Longview with Don Rigsby (mandolin), Dudley Connell (guitar), Joe Mullins (banjo), James King (guitar), and Glen Duncan (fiddle).[2]

Seneca Rocks!

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Wilborn, Dudley Connell, Tom Adams, David McLaughlin, and Sally Love Connell formed the band Seneca Rocks! in 2006. All members except Love Connell were previously members of the Johnson Mountain Boys.[12]

Flamekeeper

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Wilborn joined Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper in 2007, and performed with them until 2011.[13]

Springfield Exit

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Wilborn currently performs with the band Springfield Exit, which also includes vocalist Linda Lay, guitarist David Lay, David McLaughlin on mandolin, and Tom Adams on banjo.[14] Their debut album, That Was Then was released in 2015.[15]

Chris Jones & The Night Drivers

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Wilborn joined Chris Jones & The Night Drivers in late 2019 and is currently playing with them.

Music instruction

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Wilborn has taught the Murphy Method of instruction on DVD for Mel Bay.[16]

Awards

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1998, he was voted Bass Player of the Year by Bluegrass Now Magazine’s Fan’s Choice awards.[17]

Wilborn won the IBMA award for Bass Player of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.[18]

Discography

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Solo albums

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With Whetstone Run

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  • 1984: No Use Frettin' (Red Dog)

The Johnson Mountain Boys

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  • 1987: Let the Whole World Talk (Rounder)
  • 1988: Requests (Rounder)
  • 2002: At the Old Schoolhouse (Rounder)

With The Lynn Morris Band

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  • 1990: The Lynn Morris Band (Rounder)
  • 1992: The Bramble and the Rose (Rounder)
  • 1995: Mama's Hand (Rounder)
  • 1999: You'll Never Be the Sun (Rounder)
  • 2003: Shape of a Tear (Rounder)

With Longview

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  • 1997: Longview (Rounder)
  • 1999: High Lonesome (Rounder)
  • 2002: Lessons in Stone (Rebel)
  • 2008: Deep in the Mountains (Rounder)

With Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper

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  • 2009: Leavin' Town' (Rounder)[19]
  • 2011: Fired Up (Rounder)[20]

With Springfield Exit

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As composer

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Also appears on

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  • 1988: Delia Bell and Bill Grant - Following a Feeling (Rounder)
  • 1990: Tom Adams - Right Hand Man (Rounder)
  • 1993: James King - These Old Pictures (Rounder)
  • 1995: Joe Carr - Windy Days And Dusty Skies (Flying Fish)
  • 1995: James King - Lonesome and Then Some (Rounder)
  • 1998: Hazel Dickens - Heart Of A Singer (Rounder) with Carol Elizabeth Jones and Ginny Hawker
  • 1998: Tony Trischka - Glory Shone Around: A Christmas Collection (Rounder)
  • 2000: Ron Spears - My Time Has Come (Copper Creek)
  • 2001: Ron Stewart - Time Stands Still (Rounder)
  • 2002: Jesse Brock - Kickin' Grass (Pinecastle)
  • 2007: Patrick McAvinue - Grave Run (Patuxent)
  • 2007: Tony Trischka - Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular (Rounder)
  • 2008: James King - Gardens in the Sky (Rounder)
  • 2011: Bill Emerson - Eclipse (Rural Rhythm)
  • 2013: Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins - Hall of Fame Bluegrass (Rebel)

Music instruction

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  • 2007: The Murphy Method: Learn Bluegrass by Ear: Beginning Bass DVD (Mel Bay)
  • 2007: The Murphy Method: Learn Bluegrass by Ear: Intermediate Bass DVD (Mel Bay)
  • 2010: The Murphy Method: Learn Bluegrass by Ear: Slap Bass DVD (Mel Bay)

References

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  1. ^ a b Kingsbury, Paul (Feb 1, 2012). The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199920839. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide (1 ed.). Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858285344. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Hicks Henry, Murphy (May 1, 2013). Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass (1 ed.). University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252095887. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  4. ^ Grandjean, Pat (April 5, 1985). "Whetstone Run prides itself on bluegrass format". Pennsylviania State University Collegian. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "Whetstone Run Bluegrass Group To Kick Off Arts Council Anniversary". The Morning Call. August 8, 1985. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  6. ^ Goldsmith, Thomas (2004). The Bluegrass Reader (1 ed.). University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252029141. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Lawless, John (October 28, 2009). "A chat with Lynn Morris". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  8. ^ Thompson, Richard (October 8, 2011). "On This Day #1". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  9. ^ Wiant, Jessica (April 29, 2011). "Back onstage: Lynn Morris reuniting with band at bluegrass festival". The Northern Virginia Daily. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  10. ^ Brad San Martin. "Marshall Wilborn: Root 5". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  11. ^ "BMI Dominates Best of Bluegrass in IBMA Nominations". BMI. August 30, 2000. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  12. ^ Lawless, John (June 15, 2006). "Seneca Rocks! in the studio". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  13. ^ John Lupton (August 1, 2008). "Michael Cleveland considers "Leavin' Town"". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  14. ^ "Springfield Exit". Bright Box Theater. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "Springfield Exit - That Was Then". Bluegrass Unlimited. July 1, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  16. ^ Shane Vahle (June 9, 2010). "Mel Bay presents: The Murphy Method – Learn Bluegrass by Ear Slap Bass DVD". Bass Frontiers. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Alex Steininger. "Marshall Wilborn: Bass & Banjo". In Music We Trust. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "Recipient History". IBMA. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  19. ^ Jerry Oland (January 3, 2009). "Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper: "Leavin' Town"". Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  20. ^ David McGee (April 1, 2011). "There's Fired Up, Then There's Fired Up. This Is Fired Up". The Bluegrass Special. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  21. ^ David Morris (February 18, 2015). "That Was Then – Springfield Exit". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
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