To add a couple I have not seen mentioned that have really impressed me: Kristin Scott Benson and Sammy Shelor.  The more I see and hear them the more stuff I find happening. 

I go along with what Beardog said, if you're in a good solid bluegrass band, you play good solid back up period.
If I was held by the throat to give an answer I would say Earl Scruggs and Don Reno they invented it all.

Edited by - overhere on 02/08/2012 03:03:34

Earl does some really interesting things.

After seeing him for half a show last Friday at the Station Inn (he wasn't feeling well and had to leave), I am even more convinced that it's J.D. Crowe.

But really, the people to ask are the people whose names we are mentioning.  Ask the best of the best who does great back-up and see who gets mentioned the most.

No question that it Was Earl... For the last wk I've been going back for the ummmpteenth time and listing in order to that box set, 20 some cds... If you really listen to each song and understand what your listening to (you have to have some insight/experience to comprehend).. Its beyond amazing!! Sheer genious!! for litterally hundreds of songs.. Each is different and original, hadn't been done before... NO COMPARISON ANYWHERE..

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Originally posted by Kenneth Logsdon

If you really listen to each song and understand what your listening to (you have to have some insight/experience to comprehend)..

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I can only hope to someday be as insightful.

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Originally posted by JLB

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Originally posted by dennis andrews

Cush is the only one I've ever heard play that I couldn't distinguish between Earl or Cush.  Listen to 5 String Time or his latest with Johnny Warren and compare to Earl.  You'll see what I mean.  And I agree, he makes playing look effortless..just like Earl.

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 Here's another vote for Charlie Cushman. I love to listen to his backup and he makes it look effortless.

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Edited by - o2playlikeEarl on 02/09/2012 13:30:48

Earl Scruggs played fantastic intricate and thoughtful back-up which has been imitated as with everything he did by almost everyone. You may find that some of the stuff you like of Ron Stewart's playing is based firmly on the stuff Earl pioneered, I know Ron is a big Scruggs fan. Ron Block has a great texture to his back-up, it's something I've been working on for years and only just beginning to scratch the surface. He lays down a magical, rhythmic, carpet for the band to ride on. It's an infectious sound which I and many others adore. No-one fills the holes like Sammy Shelor of the Lonesome River Band (and previously the Virginia Squires). Every time a vocalist pauses for breath, Sammy is right in there with a tailor made fill in lick, which fills the space PERFECTLY and simultaneously leads the listener's ear from the last note the vocalist sang, through the empty space and into the next chord the band move to, or phrase the vocalist sings. He's great!

I was really glad to see someone mention Alan O'Bryant earlier. I've always been a big fan of his banjo playing and especially tasteful back-up. He has a style that's very much his own. Also, Steve Huber does some mighty fine back-up. I've been listening to him on the Dave Peterson and 1946 CD the last couple of days in my shop. Great tone too.

It took a long time here to mention her, but Kristin Scott Benson has been my favorite since I saw her with the Larry Stephenson Band years ago.

i second the rob vote

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Originally posted by robbie93

Rob McCoury is amazing. Great backup licks.

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Interesting that this thread suggests that all the "great" banjo players are perceived as great backup players. Not at all surprising . . .

I don't list myself among that distinguished group, of course, but I can say I take no compliment more seriously than when a fellow musician says something nice about my backup playing. It's a big deal.

I was glad to see Banjophobic point out Joe Mullins. Joe's backup work on the first Longview album is a must listen and pay special attention on the slow songs.

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Originally posted by Txnglf

I was glad to see Banjophobic point out Joe Mullins. Joe's backup work on the first Longview album is a must listen and pay special attention on the slow songs.

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I agree.  One of my all-time favorite CD's is "Longview", by Longview.  The banjo is FRONT and CENTER.

You can hear every note, but always tasteful. Beautiful. A must have for any collection.

John.

I say JD. Right now my favorite backup work is on Bluegrass Album Band 1. Gonna Settle Down.

Glad to see Joe Mullins getting mentioned, he is one of my favorite traditional banjo players.

Sonny Osborne and JD Crowe are the first that come to mine.
Others you should check out are Raymond McClain and Allen Shelton.

I don't know how he would rate against all the other greats at backup, but I really enjoy listening to Don Stover do backup.  Intricate, but not overpowering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izfkFh1X9O4...........................................and he plays it in F without a capo. Incredible.

I think that Janet Davis and Jack Hatfield do great back-up.

Recent "Hall of Honor" inductee Kenny Ingram.