Bryan Sutton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bryan Sutton
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Sutton (second from right) playing guitar in 2022, in support of Bela Fleck's album My Bluegrass Heart.
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1973 Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Country, bluegrass |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar Banjo Mandolin |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Sugar Hill |
| Associated acts | Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Hot Rize |
Bryan Sutton is a super talented American musician. He's best known for playing the acoustic guitar with a special style called flatpicking. This means he uses a pick to play individual notes very quickly.
But he doesn't stop there! Bryan also plays the mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and even the electric guitar. On top of all that, he sings and writes his own songs.
Contents
About Bryan Sutton
His Early Life and Music Journey
Bryan Sutton was born in 1973 in Asheville, North Carolina. Music was always a big part of his family. His grandfather and father were both well-known fiddle players in their area. Bryan grew up playing in their family band, which was called the Pisgah Pickers.
In 1991, when he was still young, Bryan played guitar for a gospel music group called Karen Peck and New River. A few years later, in 1993, he moved to Nashville, a famous city for musicians.
Playing with Ricky Skaggs
Bryan Sutton first became widely known in 1997. He joined Ricky Skaggs' band, Kentucky Thunder, as the lead guitarist. This was when Ricky Skaggs decided to focus on bluegrass music again.
Bryan played with them for a while. Later, he decided to leave the band to work as a "session player." This means he would play guitar for many different artists in recording studios.
Joining Hot Rize
In 2002, Bryan was asked to join the famous bluegrass band Hot Rize. He has been touring and recording with them ever since. He has only missed one show since they started playing together again!
Playing with Many Stars
Besides Ricky Skaggs and Hot Rize, Bryan Sutton has toured with many other famous musicians. These include the Dixie Chicks, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, Chris Thile, and Tony Rice.
From 2007 to 2008, Bryan toured with Chris Thile and a group called The How to Grow a Band. This group later became the popular band known as the Punch Brothers.
Bryan is one of the most requested musicians in Nashville for studio recordings. He even produced a record for a band called Della Mae. His guitar playing style is very special. It mixes quick, sharp notes with powerful, flowing melodies. He blends these with common bluegrass, blues, and folk sounds.
Other Cool Projects
In 2011, Bryan launched an online school for bluegrass guitar. It's called the Online Bluegrass Guitar School with Bryan Sutton. It's part of the ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass. This lets people learn from him from anywhere!
In 2013, Bryan recorded an album called Ready for the Times. He made this album with T. Michael Coleman and David Holt. It was a special tribute to a legendary musician named Doc Watson. This trio started playing together in 2011. They often perform under the name Deep River Rising.
His Albums
Bryan Sutton has released many great albums. On his album Almost Live, he played with 17 guest musicians. Some of these famous guests included Béla Fleck on banjo and Jerry Douglas on resonator guitar.
His album Into My Own also featured amazing guests. These included Bill Frisell on guitar and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin.
On his 2016 album, The More I Learn, Bryan showed off his singing and songwriting skills even more. This album featured members of the Bryan Sutton Band. These included Casey Campbell on mandolin and Mike Barnett on fiddle.
Awards and Honors
Bryan Sutton has won many awards for his amazing guitar playing:
- 2000 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2003 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2004 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2005 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2006 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2007 - He won a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance. This was for his song Whiskey Before Breakfast with Doc Watson.
- 2011 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2013 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2014 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2014 - His album Into My Own was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was in the Best Bluegrass Album category.
- 2015 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
- 2016 - IBMA Guitar Player of the Year
His Guitars
Bryan Sutton loves playing Bourgeois Guitars. He often performs with his own special model, called the Bourgeois Bryan Sutton Limited Edition.
He also uses a Bourgeois "Country Boy Deluxe" model dreadnought guitar. Another one he uses is a Bourgeois "Banjo Killer" slope-shouldered dreadnought. This model was also inspired by Bryan himself! He also often plays a 1940 Martin D-28 guitar.
Discography
