Jerry Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Douglas
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Douglas in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gerald Calvin Douglas |
| Born | May 28, 1956 Warren, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Americana, bluegrass, country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Dobro, resonator guitar, lap steel guitar, guitar |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Rounder, MCA, Sugar Hill, Entertainment One, Koch |
Gerald Calvin Douglas (born May 28, 1956), known as Jerry Douglas, is an American musician famous for playing the Dobro and lap steel guitar. A Dobro is a special type of resonator guitar that has a unique, ringing sound. Many people think he is one of the best Dobro players in modern music.
Douglas is a 14-time Grammy Award winner. The New York Times has called him the "Dobro's matchless contemporary master." He is known for his creative style, both as a solo artist and as a member of famous bands like Alison Krauss and Union Station and The Earls of Leicester. He has also been a co-director of the musical show Transatlantic Sessions since 1998. In 2024, he was added to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
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A Career Full of Music
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Jerry Douglas has had an amazing career in music. Besides making fourteen of his own albums, he has played on more than 1,600 albums for other artists. This means he has worked with a huge variety of musicians.
Working with Music Legends
As a musician who plays alongside lead artists (called a sideman), Douglas has recorded with some of the biggest names in music. His work can be heard on albums by Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon, and Mumford & Sons. He also played on the popular soundtrack for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
He has been a member of several groups, including The Whites, The Country Gentlemen, and Strength in Numbers. From 1996 to 1998, he was part of a group called The GrooveGrass Boyz.
Since 1998, Douglas has been a key member of Alison Krauss and Union Station. With them, he has toured all over the world and played on albums that have sold millions of copies. When he's not with Union Station, he tours with his own groups, The Jerry Douglas Band and The Earls of Leicester.
Producing and Directing
Douglas is also a talented record producer. A producer helps artists create their albums by guiding them in the studio. He has produced albums for many artists, including Alison Krauss, the Del McCoury Band, and The Steep Canyon Rangers.
Along with musician Aly Bain, he is a Music Director for the BBC television series "Transatlantic Sessions". This show brings together musicians from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to play together.
Personal Life
Jerry Douglas was born in Warren, Ohio. Today, he lives in Nashville, Tennessee, which is known as the center of country music. He lives there with his wife, Jill.
Awards and Recognition
Jerry Douglas is one of the most awarded musicians in his field. His talent has been recognized with many honors over the years.
Major Awards
- Grammy Awards: As of 2021, Douglas has won 14 Grammy Awards from 32 nominations. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the music industry.
- Country Music Association (CMA) Awards: He was named 'Musician of the Year' three times, in 2002, 2005, and 2007.
- International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards: He has won the 'Dobro Player of the Year' award 10 times.
- National Heritage Fellowship: In 2004, he received this award from the National Endowment for the Arts. It is the highest honor the U.S. government gives to folk and traditional artists.
- Americana Music Association: In 2011, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his skill as an instrumentalist.
Other Honors
Douglas has received many other honors, including being named Artist in Residence for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008. He also received the Bluegrass Star Award in 2016 for helping to bring bluegrass music to new audiences.
Selected Discography
Here are some of the important albums Jerry Douglas has released as a solo artist and with his bands.
Solo Albums
- Fluxology (1979)
- Fluxedo (1982)
- Under the Wire (1986)
- Slide Rule (1992)
- Lookout for Hope (2002)
- The Best Kept Secret (2005)
- Glide (2008)
- Traveler (2012)
- What If (2017)
With Alison Krauss and Union Station
- I've Got That Old Feeling (1991) (He was a producer and performer on this album)
- New Favorite (2001)
- Live (2002)
- Lonely Runs Both Ways (2004)
- Paper Airplane (2011)
With The Earls of Leicester
- The Earls of Leicester (2014)
- Rattle & Roar (2016)
