The Undergrass Boys

After a series of late night coffee-infused jams in the late 70's with legendary (now deceased) fiddler Dale Bygod Hopkins, John Kendrick and Bo Brown decided to throw a band together. Bo had played in Duckberg Times with Dave Wilson and thought his progressive mandolin was just the thing for the new project. A bass player was now in order, a call was made to George Horne, bassist with the popular rock band Zachary Beau. Several gigs later, each under a different name, the term "underground bluegrass" was used to describe the 20 minute jams on bluegrass versions of acid rock tunes. Rick Davidson, a latent drummer and now on various percussion items, came along to round out the sound, and "The Undergrass Boys" name was officially bestowed on the group. In 1981, the band released a self-titled album of original songs, and had a wide-open song list that included songs by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Byrds, and Jimi Hendrix (all done bluegrass style, of course) to cowboy and western swing, big band tunes and bluegrass gospel. Playing Springfield area clubs like Lindbergs and Friday's Child, they developed a devoted and rather wild following, then struck out to play a series of midwest college tours, festivals, club dates and concerts. Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell, Juice Newton, Bill Monroe, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Hartford, and Newgrass Revival are a few acts they performed with over the years, while keeping their day gig at Silver Dollar City for a stretch. The road grind finally took it's toll and the group officially disbanded in 1983. Like all good bands that just can't quite give it up, the Undergrass Boys still reunite occasionally to kick out the jams. The old vinyl album was re-mastered to CD and released at a reunion concert at the Landers Theater in 1998.