From Bill Monroe to Billy Strings, Bluegrass music’s rich heritage has been shaped by visionary artists. Southern Legacy, comprised of seasoned musicians with over 200 years of collective experience, is poised to carry this legacy forward.
With roots in legendary bands like Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Osborne Brothers, Lonesome River Band, and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, these accomplished musicians have lived and breathed Bluegrass history. Their journey began on the festival circuit, sharing stages and studying the trade first hand with the genre’s pioneers. When Southern Legacy takes the stage, the spirits of Bluegrass legends come alive. Their unique sound seamlessly blends the drive of JD Crowe’s banjo, Jimmy Martin’s rhythmic pulse, and Bill Monroe’s haunting tenor. This fresh yet timeless interpretation has captivated audiences, earning admiration for their ability to honor the past while forging a new path.
Josh Williams is a highly skilled and accomplished musician. Over the years, Josh has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest musicians of his generation. He has shared the stage with many renowned artists, including Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Special Consensus, and Tony Rice. Josh has released a total of five solo albums, all of which have been critically acclaimed. He has also recorded four records with Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, including the Grammy award-winning album ‘All the Rage-In Concert Volume 1’, which was released in 2018. He has also won SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year an incredible 17 consecutive years in a row and also been named the IBMA Guitar Player of the Year for three consecutive years.
Don Rigsby is a highly acclaimed bluegrass musician, known for his tenor vocals and who has been making waves in the music industry for several years now. He first made his debut as a professional with the legendary country artist Vern Gosdin, famously know as the “The Voice”. Since then Don has collaborated with some the biggest names in music, including Ralph Stanley, John Fogerty, Alan Jackson, Larry Cordle, Tony Rice, JD Crowe & The New South, The Bluegrass Cardinals, The Lonesome River Band, Peter Rowan, The Seldom Scene, and many others. Don Rigsby is undoubtedly one of the most talented and highly sought-after bluegrass musicians of our time, and his contributions to the genre are immeasurable.
Ron Block is an accomplished and celebrated banjo and guitar player who was exposed to a diverse range of musical genres. Throughout his illustrious career, he has recorded several solo albums, and performed on several well known albums by prominent artists such as Dolly Parton, Clint Black, Brad Paisley, and Bill Frisell. Additionally, Block is a prolific songwriter, having written songs for Union Station and his own solo albums. His compositions have been recorded by numerous artists such as Randy Travis, Rhonda Vincent, Michael W. Smith, and The Cox Family and many others. Block has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including multiple Grammy awards for his work with Union Station and Alison Krauss. In addition, he has won several International Bluegrass awards, Country Music Association awards and Gospel Music Association awards. His talent, dedication, and passion for music have made him a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Steve Thomas is a masterful and accomplished entertainer based in Nashville. Steve is a true multi-instrumentalist, a virtuoso who can play fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo with absolute precision and finesse. His professional career began in 1982, and over the next three decades, he worked with the biggest names in Nashville’s music scene, establishing himself as one of the most sought-after session musicians in the industry. His list of collaborators is impressive to say the least, and includes The Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse, The Whites, Aaron Tippin, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, John Michael Montgomery, Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack, and Lorrie Morgan among others. In 1985, Steve, alongside band mates Jerry Douglas and Neil Worf, received nominations for Vocal Group of the Year by Country Music Association, as a member of The Whites. His contributions to the industry are immeasurable, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.
Mike Anglin is a highly acclaimed musician, known for his dynamic bass playing skills, near-perfect timing, and intense feel, making him one of the most sought-after bass players in the industry. He began touring professionally at the age of 15 and his career has taken him around the globe with some of the most prominent names in Bluegrass music. During his career he has recorded over 50 albums with Continental Divide, Lonesome River Band, Larry Cordle, & many others. He has shared the stage various artists such as Dave Evans, David Parmley, Continental Divide, Ronnie Bowman, 3 Fox Drive, Melanie Cannon, Tony Rice, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, The Lonesome River Band, Alex Miller and many others. In 1995, he received IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year award for his work with Continental Divide. His contributions to the industry will continue to be heard for generations to come.
