Lou Reid


Lou Reid Pyrtle is an American bluegrass singer, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist.

Biography

Early life

Reid grew up on a tobacco farm in Moore Springs, North Carolina. His father also worked as a construction supervisor. When Reid was a young boy his father took him to see Flatt & Scruggs, and Reid has loved bluegrass music ever since.
In his early teens, Reid played acoustic bass with the band Bluegrass Buddies, then joined the bluegrass group Southbound, who recorded one album for Rebel Records. He played banjo with them from 1973 to 1979. Other members included Jimmy Haley, Dennis Severt, and Doug Campbell.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

In 1979, Lou joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, playing bass guitar. Quicksilver consisted of Lawson, Reid, Terry Baucom, and Jimmy Haley. Reid recorded three albums with Quicksilver.

Ricky Skaggs Band

Reid was with the Ricky Skaggs Band from 1982 to 1986, playing a number of instruments and providing harmony vocals.

Seldom Scene

Reid replaced Phil Rosenthal as lead singer and guitarist for the Seldom Scene in 1986. Reid was a member of the Seldom Scene for six years, then left in 1993 for Nashville to tour with Vince Gill and Vern Gosdin.
When John Duffey died in 1996, Ben Eldridge brought Reid back to the Seldom Scene, while also continuing to perform and record with his band Carolina.

Longview

Reid joined the reunited bluegrass supergroup Longview in 2008 to record Deep in the Mountains. Other members included J. D. Crowe, Don Rigsby, James King, Marshall Wilborn, and Ron Stewart.

Lou Reid and Carolina

In 1992, Lou Reid formed his band Carolina in with lifelong friend Terry Baucom and Marcus Smith.
Carolina's first album Carolina Blue was followed in 1995 by Carolina Moon. Then Baucom left the band to pursue his own career.
In 1996, Carolina released a third album Lou Reid & Carolina and in 2010 released Blue Heartache.
Christy Reid joined Carolina in 2002. She first joined as guitar player, and moved to bass in 2005.
It would be five years and a line-up change before Reid and Carolina's next release, Time, in 2005. Reid was joined this time by vocalist Christy Reid, guitarist Kevin Richardson, banjoist Trevor Watson, and bassist Joe Hannabach. Released on Lonesome Day Records, the album also featured a number of high-profile guest appearances, including Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Jerry Douglas.

Awards

In 1994, Lou Reid and Carolina received the International Bluegrass Music Association Emerging Artist of the Year award. In 1995, the album Carolina Moon was nominated for Album of the Year by the IBMA.

Personal life

Reid met his wife Christy in 2001 when she auditioned for Carolina as a bass player. She got the job, and three years later they were married. They have two daughters.

Discography

Solo albums