Richard Greene (musician)

Richard Greene is a virtuoso violinist (aka fiddler) and "one of the most innovative and influential fiddle players of all time". He grew up in Los Angeles, and began his musical studies in classical music. In 1969, along with Peter Rowan, Greene joined the rock group Seatrain, whose most notable song would be the 1971 rock hit "13 Questions", from Seatrain's self-titled album produced by Beatles producer George Martin. The group Seatrain were an eclectic mix of bluegrass, country, fusion, and rock. Richard Greene studied classical music until his encounter with the pyrotechnic fiddling of Scotty Stoneman; from then on Richard was a fiddler. He first attained prominence with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys in 1966 as one of Monroe's first "northern" band members, then went on to found the revolutionary Folk-Rock group Seatrain, pioneering the first use of the electric violin in Rock.

Richard's return to acoustic music occasioned the invention of "New Grass" or "New Acoustic" instrumental music, now a mainstay throughout the world's acoustic music festivals. As one of Los Angeles' premier string session players he founded the trailblazing Greene String Quartet creating the first ever amalgam of Jazz-Folk-Rock-Chamber music and producing three seminal albums. His many acclaimed releases in the folk and bluegrass world have been honored with Grammy and IBMA awards, his CD Sales Tax Toddle was Grammy nominated for Bluegrass Album of Year.

Mr. Greene currently leads seminars on all aspects of fiddling and violin playing nationwide, teaching courses at The Mancini Institute, the RockyGrass Academy, the Festival of Fiddle Tunes, the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, The Swannanoa Gathering, and dozens of ad hoc workshops throughout the year. Also last year marked the debut of Richard Greene's Piece for Bluegrass Violin and Orchestra entitled "What If Mozart Played With Bill Monroe?".

Richard Greene Resume

- Music genre -

Authentic Old Time fiddle music (much of which learned one on one from Bill Monroe, inventor of BlueGrass Music) and New Acoustic (original instrumental compositions). Richard co-invented the genre New Acoustic with David Grisman circa 1974 (The Great American Music Band).

- Major Festival Performances as Headliner -

Telluride, Durango Meltdown, Mayfest (Scotland), Wind Gap, Winterhawk (now Grey Fox), MerleFest, RockyGrass, Live Oak, Winfield, Old Settlers, Strawberry, Supergrass, Blythe, Mayville, Sedona

- Awards -

GRAMMY AWARD: Best Instrumental Performance of the Year (1997)

GRAMMY NOMINATION: Best Bluegrass Recording of the Year (1998)

IBMA: Recorded Event of the Year

IBMA Nomination: Instrumental Band of the Year

Honorary Kentucky Colonel

- Performed as Leader with his own groups -

Seatrain (1969-1972) (produced by George Martin of Beatles fame). 1st occurrence of electric violin in Rock and Roll

The Great American Music Band (co-lead with David Grisman, circa 1974)

Muleskinner (band members: Bill Keith, Clarence White, Peter Rowan, David Grisman)

The Greene String Quartet

The Grass Is Greener (David Grier, Bill Keith, Chris Thile, Butch Baldasarri, Tony Trischka)

Richard Greene & The Brothers Barton

- Recording & Performance History as Sideman (highlights only)-

Red Allen (Richard’s 1st ever recording session - 12 classic sides), Bill Monroe (14 classic sides), Gary Burton, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Melissa Manchester, The Blues Project, James Taylor, Tony Rice, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Old And In The Way, Brian Wilson, Eddie Adcock, George Strait, Loggins & Messina, Crosby-Stills & Nash, Peter Rowan, Deana Carter, Rod Stewart, Lacy J. Dalton, Jerry Garcia, Van Dyke Parks, Bruce Springsteen, The Brothers Barton, Tony Trischka, Sting, Joss Stone, Richard Thompson, Kelly Clarkson, Mandy Moore, Tony Bennett, The Wagner Ensemble (Jeannine Wagner)