Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Spreading the Word Through Song

photo by J. Stoller

Do you love traditional string music? Appreciate some finely executed a capella? Look no further! If you’re a bluegrass fan and you haven’t heard of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, where have you been? With deep roots in the Tennessee-bred gospel tradition, this extremely talented and powerfully spiritual bluegrass band has released almost 40 albums in as many years. Over the years, they’ve been bestowed with many awards, and their leader Doyle Lawson (mandolin and vocals) was inducted in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2012. But don’t take others’ words for it. Have a listen for yourself.

Lawson is joined by Josh Swift (Dobro/Vocals), Stephen Burwell (Fiddle) , Eli Johnston (Bass/Vocals), Dustin Pyrtle (Guitar/Vocals) and Joe Dean (Banjo/Vocals), and they sound like they’ve been playing together for, well, 40 years! Doyle Lawson was raised on The Grand Ole Opry and was a big fan of Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys. The entire family sang gospel music and were involved in various church and revival a capella groups. He taught himself to play mandolin, playing along to radio, records and TV shows.

When Lawson was 14, he added banjo and guitar to his musical toolbox, and began playing banjo professionally in Nashville four years later. He’s played with Jimmy Martin, JD Crowe and The Country Gentlemen, settling back into mandolin to accompany his tenor vocals. In 1979, he formed his own band, which he first called Doyle Lawson & Foxfire before changing “Foxfire” to “Quicksilver.”

Through the many member changes through the years, Lawson’s Quicksilver band has been, in his words, “the farm team for bluegrass.” He has tried to integrate each member’s unique talents into the band, without sacrificing their core wholesome Americana sound. One constant has been the strong inspiration and influence of gospel music on their work and lives. Lawson believes that it is his “musical mission” to bring God to people’s lives through his work. Whatever your personal beliefs are, there is no denying the deep soulful sound of this fine band.

Listen to Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver on Spotify or Pandora.