Masters
Hall of Honor Inductees
Josh Graves - Born September 27, 1927
Tellico Plains, Tennessee-native Burkett H. ("Josh") Graves played the major role in bringing the resonator guitar to prominence as a lead instrument in bluegrass music. While working on the WLEX Kentucky Mountain Barn Dance in Lexington in 1949, he learned from Earl Scruggs the three-finger banjo roll and adapted it to the then almost obscure slide bar instrument. With Flatt & Scruggs from 1955 until 1969, he introduced his widely emulated driving, bluesy style on the "hound dog guitar" to millions through personal appearances, recordings, radio and syndicated television. Having adopted the stage persona "Uncle Josh" as a teenager in the early 1940s on WROL, Knoxville, he gained renown for his consummate showmanship and comedy as part of The Flatt & Scruggs Show. After working in the bands of Flatt (1969-72) and Scruggs (1972-74), he began a 10 year solo career followed by partnership with Kenny Baker begun in 1984. A vocal stylist and excellent three-finger guitarist with a lifelong love of blues music, Josh Graves recorded prolifically as both supporting musician and featured artist, documenting his remarkable talent and creativity.
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