By the time the folk music scene regained its popularity in the late 1950's, most famous Bluegrass singers had lost their contracts and radio's stopped playing their music. Many folk singers, however, were heavily influenced by the Bluegrass style, and decided to bring this music back to the public. Moreover, in 1962 Flatt & Scrugs were asked to sing the theme song for the popular TV show The Beverly Hillbillies ("The Ballad of Jed Clampett"). They had no idea that by doing this, people would forever identify bluegrass music with trashy white people.
This revival of Bluegrass during the 1960's allowed some great old time Bluegrass singers to display their music to an entirely new audience. The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe were among those. The Louvin Brothers were another brother duo that regained popularity, be it on a small scale. Although they sing a number of different musical styles, I personally like the Bluegrass versions of their songs best. "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" is one of my (and my father in laws') favorites.
From the late 1960's until the late 1990's Bluegrass continued to be played, although it was largely overshadowed by other more popular music styles. During this time several country singers recorded Bluegrass albums (listen to Dolly Parton's Bluegrass Collection). The real revival, however, came in the early 2000's with the soundtrack of the movie "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". Some of the biggest stars in Bluegrass and Country music can be heared on this cd (Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris and the Carter Family). It also includes some bands which didn't achieve national fame yet, but rightfully did through this album (The Whites and the Cox Family). Thankfully, these artists didn't stop after the Oh Brother Soundtrack. The cd compilation "Down From the Mountain" is another one of my Bluegrass favorites, and includes many of the artists that are included in the Oh Brother Soundtrack.
Below you will find "I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow", the old time tradional folk song which Ralph Stanley brought to national fame. This is actually not really George Clooney singing, but Dan Triminsky, a musician in Alison Krauss' Union Station. Notice the woman at the beginning who's asking for the Soggy Bottom Boys, that's Gillian Welch :-). More about her will follow soon.
The Soggy Bottom Boys - "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow"
