beegee - Posted - 12/24/2021:  03:49:20

Another legend gone but not forgotten

banjoy - Posted - 12/24/2021:  03:57:25

Wow I had not heard this. Sadness. Condolences to his family and friends.

plars - Posted - 12/24/2021:  04:03:50

Wow really sad. Condolences to his family. I’ll be listening to a little more JD than normal this weekend.

stanleytone - Posted - 12/24/2021:  04:36:11

Thats it. The last of the legends. A hole that will NEVER be filled.Almost to the day his old bandmate Tony left

banjoman69 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  04:54:41

Stanleytone, I totally agree, that generation set the bar. I knew his health was failing but didn’t know how serious it was. May he rest in peace and condolences to his family.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/24/2021:  04:57:07

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

wrench13 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:20:40

That is sad news. RIP JD, as a man, you contributed so much to bluegrass and brought so much joy and music into the world. Now the angels get to hear the best.

LukeL - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:22:23

I hadn’t heard of his passing yet. Really sad news. I was just listening to Bluegrass Album Band yesterday and thinking of him. Prayers for his friends and family.

Don Borchelt - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:22:36

Among that talented second generation of bluegrass pickers, I always thought J.D. was the best. Of all the recording he did, my single favorite was his playing on Tony Rice's Guitar album, on an instrumental version of Faded Love.  The ultimate in banjo talent, skill, and taste.  J.D.'s first break starts at 1:16. He gave a great gift to us all, may he rest in peace.

Edited by - Don Borchelt on 12/24/2021 05:23:19

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:25:27

facebook.com/profile.php?id=10...690010294

JD's family has asked for prayers in the above linc. But let our prayers include Thanksgiving for the beautiful music, enjoyments, and escapes from life's pressures this man brought us. Wasn't his music exciting and totally encapsulating. He made our lives better.

Besides his family, I feel for Doyle, Rickey Wasson, and  Paul Williams who played with him & were such friends for so many years.

Ken

1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:37:19

he was a force in bluegrass that will go unmatched for many of us..prayers for the family.

eagleisland - Posted - 12/24/2021:  05:42:53

This one stings. Godspeed, Mr. Crowe.

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:01:31

I had heard that he was sent home but no one said the word hospice. The timing on the other side is getting better as they play those heavenly strains.

pickn5 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:06:14

Prayers for him and his family have been said.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:06:33

2 legends,, the great JD CROWE and 9584-1

TN Time - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:14:23

Such a great talent and such a great loss. Not only was he a great player, he also had a good sense of humor and i loved listening to his stories. R.I.P. J.D. Crowe

Robert

stanleytone - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:22:52

J.D. made it KOOL to be a banjo player

chuckv97 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:29:10

God love him. He was very patient with me during a half hour phone call many years ago. Just loved his playing and his band.

 

BobbyE - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:33:54

Just this week I was watching the interview that Jim Mills made with Mr. Crowe. Jim asked about how much trouble it was to work with the skin heads on his banjo before the plastic ones came into being. Also learned that the skin heads wore out pretty quickly and were expensive to boot. Mr Crowe said that after a while he didn't bother with the head tension at all, just learned how to work the banjo around it. Got to thinking about that statement and how we (me) spend a great deal of time and money buying this bridge or that bridge, this kind of string or that one, not to mention the different assortment of heads. Sounds like many of these pickers just went with what they had and learned how to get what they wanted from their banjo. I know Mr Scruggs talks about thinning bridges and such but still, the variety of what they had was certainly limited. In any event, still interesting to hear from these men and what they went through to get to where they were and to put out the music that they did.

Bobby

Timothy Lindblom - Posted - 12/24/2021:  06:54:26

Wow, quite a surprise. I’ll definitely keep his family in prayers. Always hoped to meet him someday but never was anywhere where he was too. Sorry to hear of such a great loss to the bluegrass world.

stanleytone - Posted - 12/24/2021:  07:02:14

Gotta put another cross in my Masters of 5 String Banjo Book. Its filling up fast

JMalmsteen - Posted - 12/24/2021:  07:09:57

Rest in Peace, JD, and condolences to David and family. He was a wonderful player and kind human. He will be missed.

JD

 

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/24/2021:  07:33:24

Awww dang. This is just a shame. A FINE, influential man. His name will live as long as bluegrass banjo is played or listened to.



I remember a couple of things about JD and his band. At the old Corinth NY festival in the mid 1970s, there was a raffle for a portable cassette tape recorder (just the thing to avoid buying the artists' records). The raffle organizer got JD to pull the winning ticket. He pulled the ticket and read the name into the mic! Until then, I was unaware that JD was capable of speech instead of just singing. The funniest part is the woman who organized the raffle and was standing on stage with him, won the raffle! The audience went crazy with fake booing and catcalls (they all knew and loved her). I wonder if JD was puzzled about what the hell kind of a deal he'd gotten into!



Over the decades, most of the time The New South was clearly the heaviest hitting band on a festival schedule as far as I was concerned, and they were one of the VERY few bands that would cause me to leave a hot campsite jam session. Sometimes his pickin' would fascinate, other times his baritone singing, or the band choreography. Something always made it great. One time in 2000s they played the festival in Preston City, CT and he was picking on a Granada of some sort, and he had that thing dialed in! The acoustics were pretty good on that stage, and after a while he just took his breaks standing by the back wall with Curt Chapman and putting the thumb to 'er. Talk about power management skills.



As much as he loved the banjo, I became convinced he also loved to sing.



I never met or knew JD, but I do know Ron Stewart, and he told me JD was just eat up with the banjo, and would talk banjo with him for endless miles on the road. Ron was basking in it on behalf of a whole lot of young banjo pickers!

I'm SO glad I got to hear Rickey Wasson and JD on Sirius/XM "Sidetracks" a couple of months ago.  JD was real talkative and interesting.



Good bye JD Crowe, rest easy. There's a whole bunch of pickers who will do their best to keep it going.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 12/24/2021 07:34:33

BanjoLink - Posted - 12/24/2021:  07:51:38

Sad to hear ..... what a great player. I always enjoyed talking to him at the Banjothon ...... not about banjos but muscle cars and his granddaughter whom he cherished!

Culloden - Posted - 12/24/2021:  07:53:28

This has been a bad year for the banjo community. First Bill Emerson, then Sonny Osborne, now J. D. Crowe. We don't have many more of that generation left.
I remember running into J. D. at Bass Mountain when I was still a teenager and asking him to show me how he used the D tuners on Stony Mountain Twist and he took the time to do it. Looking back I think about how impetuous teenagers can be and still feel honored that he took the time to help a 19 year old boy learn part of a song. I also remember him looking at my cam style D tuners and asking, "People still use those things?" Those are priceless memories.
Thanks J. D. for all you did for the aspiring banjo players out there.

steve davis - Posted - 12/24/2021:  08:25:03

Such bad news.
I met J.D. in the beer tent at Churchill Downs in 1988 while attending the Breeder's Cup Stakes.He and The New South played 2 full sets while standing on a stage made up of pallets.One of my best memories.
He found time to talk with me after the show while he was putting his banjo in his car.He was so approachable and asked me about where I came from.I'll never forget how easy he was to talk to.

Rest in peace JD Crowe.

Bradskey - Posted - 12/24/2021:  08:35:57

The last giant. RIP.

lazlototh - Posted - 12/24/2021:  08:45:19

Another sad passing. We have been blessed to live during a time when there have been so many greats contributing to our world.

Oldtwanger - Posted - 12/24/2021:  09:15:46

JD sold me my first banjo 54 years ago and changed my life completely; close friends ever since.
I loved him dearly and will miss him the rest of my days.
God bless you JD, rest in peace.

MMcDougal - Posted - 12/24/2021:  09:17:00

By far my favorite banjo player. I always wanted to see him in person and never got the chance. R.I.P

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/24/2021:  09:19:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by Culloden

This has been a bad year for the banjo community. First Bill Emerson, then Sonny Osborne, now J. D. Crowe. We don't have many more of that generation left.

---

Ben Eldridge, 1938, Eddie Adcock, 1938, and Roger Sprung, 1930, are the few I can think of who are still with us.

But no doubt the most widely known and most influential have left us -- with memories and a tremendous recorded legacy. 

I count my blessings that I started on banjo in 1972 and through festivals and concerts got to see nearly all the important first and second generation artists up close in their prime.

hbick2 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  09:20:34

I am fortunate enough to have been close friends with J.D. since 1964. I can't tell you how sad I am. I found out he was in hospice last night and that he had passed this morning. I'm still somewhat in a state of shock. Rather than tell a bunch of stories about him, I thought I would just share a few photos I took over the years. The black and white one was taken backstage at Martin's in the mid-1960's. It was when Doyle was playing with him. The color one was taken in September of 2019 at his home. He is playing his Granada. Although we talked regularly, it was the last time I saw him.

Harry Bickel

Crowe at home-2019

Crowe at Martin's-1960's

Chris Salomone - Posted - 12/24/2021:  10:04:45

When you can muster it up, I think we’d all benefit from hearing some of those stories to honor JD.

Stevespickn - Posted - 12/24/2021:  10:28:43

Not only one of the best ever, he had the best banjo name. “JD”

Ev - Posted - 12/24/2021:  10:47:34

Sad to hear this. R.I.P. Mr. Crowe

Steve Bruce - Posted - 12/24/2021:  10:58:51

Rest in peace, J.D. Heaven's Bluegrass band is getting sweeter all the time! Prayers for the Crowe family.

Xplainer21 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  11:15:32

He is on my All Time banjo head.

Saw him in Folkstone Georgia many years ago.

Edited by - Xplainer21 on 12/24/2021 11:17:34

 

FenderFred - Posted - 12/24/2021:  11:47:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by beegee

Another legend gone but not forgotten

---

A Legend in his lifetime. RIP JD. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends at this time.   

damirzanne - Posted - 12/24/2021:  13:06:41

RIP JD

J.Albert - Posted - 12/24/2021:  13:18:34

kentucky.com/news/state/kentuc...6642.html

mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-new...-25782591

rollingstone.com/music/music-c...-1275941/

chuckv97 - Posted - 12/24/2021:  15:05:51

This is the version of TheNew South that I saw back in ~1977 at Barton’s Inn, New Dundee, Ontario.

Truly great,,, I was lucky enough to have a couple beers after hours with the band members minus JD who was tired and went to his room.

Photo courtesy of Marty Godbey’s book “Crowe On The Banjo”.

Edited by - chuckv97 on 12/24/2021 15:07:13

wanttopick - Posted - 12/24/2021:  16:23:36

I never knew JD Crowe personally but he sure sounded good this night in 1995 in St Louis with the Bluegrass Album Band.  

justpassinthru - Posted - 12/25/2021:  00:31:01

I'm glad he got the Granada and was able to enjoy it a little while.
He surely left some big shoes to fill.

ob1 - Posted - 12/25/2021:  01:32:19

I only know of JD Crowe by his reputation and great music. From my limited knowledge, another great player has gone. I would like to send my commiserations to his family and friends.

okbluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 12/25/2021:  06:10:54

Rest in peace.

The attached photo is of my prewar Gibson parts 'jo with JD's signature on the head.

 

O.D. - Posted - 12/25/2021:  06:18:31

Condolences to JD's family and friends.
For me he set the bar.

Of course I never even got close.

R.I.P. Mr. Crowe

Everett

Bob Rodgers - Posted - 12/25/2021:  06:31:40

I could write a book on J D Crowe. No one would believe half of what i could say about this man and the pranks he pulled on me the last 44 plus years. The Boiled Eggs he mailed to me took first place for him, To me, First he was a Friend, Second he was a Banjo picker. Our phone calls were at least 1- 2- 3 times a month. We would talk for up to 4 hours about anything. Very little banjo talk. I was not interested, He was not interested. Mention a western movie, He could tell you every actor that played in those old western movies. One time I ask him the actor who drove nelliebell on the Roy Rogers T V show. His mind went Blank. Talk about a man having a hissee, He had one, He could not remember the actor. For a hour I had to listen to him berating himself not remembering that guys name. I would say J D he did this little hop in the jeep, I know Bob, I,m brain dead. I would on purpose start calling names, NO thats not the actor, I ended the conversation by telling him, I,ll call you tomorrow and see if you remember. The next Day I called, His wife answered the phone, I said tell J D that actors name was Pat, I heard him yell,, Brady. He got on the ph and said you caused me to lose a nights worth of sleep. I said Good for you, In 2016 He was to be inducted into the American Banjo Muesum Hall of Fame, He called me wanting me to go with him, I accepted, Big Mistake. We got there on a wednesday afternoon. He was worn out, I was worn out, All we wanted was a pillow to lay our heads on. The next day he wanted to go to the National Cowboy and Western Muesum. , I agreed to go, 2nd mistake. We got there at 10.30 am. He was like a kid in a candy store, His eyes were glued on every object displayed, 25,000 to be exact. I knew I was in for a long walk, He would say, Bob I want you to look at this, Can you believe we,re looking at the costume John Wayne wore in True Grit. This went on for hours. I finally left him and found a place to sit down. One Hr. later I decieded, he must be lost, I started looking for white hair. There he was on his 2nd or 3rd trip around. He wanted me to see this or that, I,ve already seen this J D. Just Buy the Place and come as often as you desire. It was a trip for the ages. My last phone conversation with him was about 4 weeks ago. I knew he was going to a Doctor. I knew he was put on medication. During this conversation, he told me what I had meant to him thru the years. I told him what he had meant to me thru the years. After I hung up, It hit me, This man is telling me good-bye his way. I kept up on his health thru his friends and family members. He and I had relayed we would like to talk one more time when he was able. That time never Came, Yesterday morning around 5.30 AM His son David called to tell me Dad has passed away. I Lost a True Friend,, RIP

saulsmanb - Posted - 12/25/2021:  07:07:37

Bob
I’m sorry for your loss. I have always enjoyed hearing about your friendship with him. It’s easy to forget about the real people that most of us only see performing.

I send thoughts for you and his family.
All the best.
Brian Saulsman

Ron Lacey - Posted - 12/25/2021:  08:58:20

Condolences to JD’s family and to all who called him a friend. I was never fortunate enough to meet him although we were both from Lexington, KY. One thing not mentioned yet is how many great pickers got their start or furthered their career in JD’s band. Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, Phil Ledbetter, come to mind off the top of my head and I know there are many, many more. JD fostered talent like no other band leader with the possible exception of Bill Monroe. May he Rest In Peace.