The Grascals

Terry Smith was born June 15, 1960, in Reidsville, North Carolina. He moved to Nashville in his early teens, after starting out playing in a family band with his mother Hazel Smith, father Patrick Smith, and brother, Billy Smith. Terry has played with such legends as Jimmy Martin, Wilma Lee Cooper, and the Osborne Brothers. Terry and his brother, Billy, recorded an album for CBS Records, which evolved to a number one video on CMT with "Blues Stay Away From Me." After touring with Grand Ole Opry member Mike Snider, Terry joined the Grascals and remains as a founding member.

Danny Roberts started playing guitar to back up Jimmy Mattingly when they were growing up in Leitchfield, Kentucky. He began to win contests for his guitar playing, and eventually, mandolin. In 1982, he co-founded the New Tradition, bluegrass/gospel group that toured the country for close to 20 years. The band recorded 10 CDs, made "Seed of Love" song, the first bluegrass video to feature the banjo, and even reached number one on the TNN channel. That band broke up in 2000, but Danny still continued to play with others including Marty Raybon, Larry Cordle, and Melonie Cannon. He also joined Ronnie Reno's band, the Reno Tradition. Danny joined the Grascals as a founding member, where he was reunited with Jimmy Mattingly.

Kristin Scott Benson grew up in South Carolina in a musical family and joined the Grascals in January 2009. She worked previously with Petticoat Junction, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time and the Larry Stephenson Band. She has won the International Bluegrass Music Awards and Society of the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Banjo Player of the Year numerous times. In September 2018, she was chosen as the recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass with a $50,000 reward. Kristin is married to IIIrd Tyme Out mandolin player Wayne Benson.[3]

John Bryan sings lead vocals and plays guitar with the Grascals. He's been playing and singing bluegrass since he was a teen, with a deep, family connection to the music. John's great grandfather, Willard Watson, was a first cousin to Doc, and a fine old-time musician and dancer in his own right. John was formerly with Larry Efaw and The Bluegrass Mountaineers when he joined the Grascals in April 2015.

Jamie Johnson was an original founding member since February 2004. He was raised in Indiana and now makes his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. After an eight-year break, he has returned to the band on guitar and vocals. The band is looking forward to singing and traveling with Jamie again and performing the incredible songs he has written.[4]

The Grascals have won the following 10 International Bluegrass Music Association (International Bluegrass Music Awards) awards.[47][48]

• 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year – The Grascals
• 2005 Song of the Year "Me and John and Paul", The Grascals (artists), Harley Allen (songwriter)
• 2006 Album of the Year – Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (Compilation Project/Various Artists), Skaggs Family Records
• 2006 Entertainer of the Year – The Grascals
• 2007 Entertainer of the Year – The Grascals
• 2008 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2009 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2010 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2011 Banjo Performer of the Year (tie) – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2019 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson

The Grascals have also been awarded these 28 awards by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America.[49]

• 2006 Song of the Year – Me and John and Paul by The Grascals for Rounder Records
• 2006 Bluegrass Album of the Year – The Grascals by The Grascals for Rounder Records
• 2006 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2006 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2007 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2007 Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) – The Grascals
• 2008 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2008 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2008 Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) – The Grascals
• 2009 Bluegrass Album of the Year – Keep On Walkin' by The Grascals for Rounder Records
• 2009 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2009 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2010 Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) – The Grascals
• 2011 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2011 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2011 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2012 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2012 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2013 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2014 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2015 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2015 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2016 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts
• 2017 Mandolin Performer of the Year – Danny Roberts (Tie)
• 2018 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2019 Banjo Performer of the Year – Kristin Scott Benson
• 2019 Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall) – The Grascals
• 2019 Instrumental Group of the Year – The Grascals
• 2022 Bass Performer of the Year – Terry Smith

The Grascals have received three Grammy Nominations for the following:[50]

• 2005 Best Bluegrass Album – The Grascals (Rounder Records)
• 2006 Best Bluegrass Album – Long List Of Heartaches (Rounder Records)
• 2012 Best Bluegrass Album – Life Finds A Way (Mountain Home)

• 2016 Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree – Blue Blaze Award for "actively cultivating a love of bluegrass music." – Danny Roberts[51]
• 2017 Uncle Dave Macon Days – Trailblazer Award – The Grascals[52]
• 2018 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass – Kristin Scott Benson[53]