Jim & Jesse - Mandolin Workshop

Jim & Jesse were an American bluegrass music duo composed of brothers Jim McReynolds (born February 13, 1927; died December 31, 2002) and Jesse McReynolds (born July 9, 1929). The two were born and raised in Carfax, a community near Coeburn, Virginia.

Jesse played the mandolin with a unique, self-invented "crosspicking"and "split-string" playing method, and Jim sang as a tenor and played guitar. They played with their backing band, The Virginia Boys, consisting of five-string banjo, fiddle and bass. The Virginia Boys have included a who's who of famous musicians such as famed fiddler Vassar Clements, banjo great Allen Shelton, fiddle great Jimmy Buchanan, Carl Jackson, Glen Duncan, Jesse's oldest son, the late Keith McReynolds, Randall Franks and many more.

Since the death of brother Jim, Jesse has gone on with their famous Virginia Boys band. He has continued in the bluegrass music tradition and has added other genres of music to his repertoire. His present show includes Chuck Berry songs, and he is now working on a tribute to Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter (of the Grateful Dead) to be out in 2009.

Jesse's present band lineup includes Keith's son, Garrett McReynolds as tenor singer/rhythm guitarist. Garrett's older sister Amanda sings third part harmony. Sometimes Jesse grabs the historic fiddle his grandfather played on the Bristol Sessions, and lets grandson Luke McKnight do the crosspicking that Jesse invented & made famous. This musical family continued on, entertaining their fans all over the world.

See more in http://loungemusika.blogspot.com