Bluegrass music, which is an original American music genre, has its roots in celtic folk music. It has changed little, but country, rock and roll, and pop influences have made some small encroachments. Bluegrass bands usually contain acoustic guitars, a bass, fiddles, a mandolin or two, and a banjo. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs joined to form the Foggy Mountain Boys in 1948, greatly influencing popularity of bluegrass. They also influenced the style and use of instruments including the banjo. Bill Monroe, "the grandfather of Bluegrass" was credited with the instrumental sound of bluegrass.
Women had played a part in bluegrass history as well. Hazel Dickens, a feature at bluegrass festivals was known for her great voice, as well as an exceptional acoustic guitarist. She has been compared to Kitty Wells, Woody Guthrie and other bluegrass notables. Alison Kraus and her band, Union Station, are a very popular group with a distinctive sound. Dolly Parton started recording as a bluegrass singer in the early 1970's. Since then she has written and sung many bluegrass style songs, greatly promoting the bluegrass style.
Ricky Skaggs helped to revive bluegrass in the 1990's, along with artists like Sam Bush, a noted mandolin player and his band, New Grass Revival. He has played with musical greats like Lyle Lovett and Garth Brook. Nashville's Infamous Stringdusters recorded "Fork in the Road" in 2006. It became popular not only on bluegrass charts but on country charts as well, receiving an IBMA for the song.
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