David Grisman

Dirty Linen

This is an excerpt from the print edition of Dirty Linen #131 (August/September 2007).
The full article is in the magazine, available on newsstands, by subscription, and at the Dirty Linen webstore.

David Grisman

100% Handmade Music

by Michael Parrish

With well over four decades in the music business, David Grisman is an elder statesmen in the world of acoustic music. Grisman is an extremely influential artist: The genre he playfully dubbed "dawg music" in the 1970s has expanded into a large and thriving musical community that spans the genres of bluegrass, Gypsy swing, jazz, and the wild and wooly domain of the jam bands. Never one to rest on his laurels, Grisman currently fronts two bands, the David Grisman Quintet (DGQ), which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and a more traditional ensemble, the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience (DGBX). As he was preparing for an annual year-end show with the Bluegrass Experience, he talked about both bands and the latest news from his thriving independent label, Acoustic Disc.

David Grisman has no problem keeping things fresh in bands that have played together for many years. "The nice thing about music is that it's a living art form. I don't feel the need to play a piece exactly the same way every time. It is, of course, a challenge to keep things interesting, especially for myself. After all, I've been playing some of these pieces for over 40 years! The guys in the band are all dedicated musicians, and as such are always trying to improve themselves individually as well as their interaction within the band. Coming up with new tunes and arrangements also helps. I also have always tried to utilize those unique things that various band members have to offer, as opposed to making them duplicate what previous members have contributed. I guess we all like playing together and trying to improve."

In late 2006, in what appeared to be a deliberate change in direction, the DGQ released a new CD, Dawg's Groove, which featured compositions by drummer George Marsh, bassist Jim Kerwin, and flutist Matt Eakle, as well as more solo instrumental contributions from band members.

"I knew that this group would truly come into its own by recording a new bunch of tunes that it could sink its teeth into. The pieces that George, Jim, and Matt wrote have been kicking around my ears for quite a while. They are all well suited to the way we play, and the guys gave me enough leverage with them to make them my own as well. It was all a very positive kind of interaction."

The disc's title tune was penned by another band associate, Tracy Bigelow, who is also Grisman's fiancé. "She's also a great painter and did the covers to several ACD [Acoustic Disc] releases, including Been All Around This World with Jerry Garcia. You can check out her artwork at Oldtimeyart.com."

[cover #131]