Terry Waldridge 

Lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Terry Waldridge formed the group in 1994—he’s the only member left of the original group. Waldridge, raised on a Nelson County farm, cut his teeth on an instrument in December 1993, when his wife and children gave him a Yamaha guitar. “I began playing but was in search for a place to take lessons and that is when I happened upon Wendell Cornett, owner of Bardstown music store. Wendell is one of my biggest influences and taught me how to play bluegrass rhythm the right way,” he said”. Other major influences were Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers. The name Bluegrass 101 began as a reminder that they were beginners. But this is a great name to hold on to because it implies an embodiment of the basics of this style of music. Waldridge has been a dairy farmer for 24 years, and all of his original songs form in his mind while he was milking. “Nobody Lives Here Anymore” is about a wonderer returning to the old home place and finding no one there; “Milk Check Blues” relates to his experience as a dairy farmer. His favorite is “Van Buren, KY”, a nostalgic revisiting of childhood memories on the farm of his aunt Beulah Mae (Boo) and uncle Perry Waldridge. They lived on a small farm in a holler outside of Van Buren and Terry still recalls sitting on the porch as night, the smell of his uncle’s pipe and the call of the whippoorwills. “Bluegrass in Heaven” relates to Bill Monroe – the Father of Bluegrass Music, Heaven and the sounds of Bluegrass music.

 


 

 

Ben Read

Ben Read mandolin player for Bluegrass 101 since 2006, has a good friend of his to thank for getting him interested in playing. "I got interested in playing through a guitar playing friend of mine. Nobody played mandolin around where I lived (Illinois), so I decided that's what I would play." Shortly after he heard Bill Monroe recordings, Ben became fascinated with Bluegrass Music. Ben began playing mandolin when he was 22 years old and is from Salem, Illinois but lives in Louisville, Kentucky now.

 


 

 
Michael Yount

Bass player and Baritone vocalist Michael Yount became interested in Bluegrass music after being inspired by the most distinctive, irreplaceable voice of Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen, along with the exceptional unique harmonies of the Bluegrass Cardinals. Michael is from Shelbyville and resides there with his wife of 32 years Beverly, and two of their three children, Nicholas and Nicole. Michael and Beverly have one other daughter, Erin, who is married. Michael began playing bass for Bluegrass 101 in October 1998. But in September of 2004 he took some time off from Bluegrass music and returned in July 2005. His other interests include collecting and trading pocketknives, playing golf, and traveling with his wife.
 


 

 
Cody Pearman

Cody Pearman, banjo player for Bluegrass 101 since 2006, became interested in bluegrass music by the influence of his grandpa Shelby Hunt. "I was 13 years old when I started playing the guitar in 2003 then a little over a year later I started playing the banjo by the advice of my music instructor Terry Strange". He spent most of his weekends finding a new place to jam with fellow bluegrass musicians, and loved trips to his grandpa's house to pick with him. He was born and raised in Hardin County, KY currently lives in Vine Grove, KY. He attends North Hardin High School and will graduate in 2010. When he's not playing he enjoys hanging out with his friends and family and an occasional fishing trip. He appreciates the full support from his Mom and Dad.
 

 

 
Jim Armstrong

Jim Armstrong tenor vocalist and fiddle player for Bluegrass 101 since 2004, has been interested in Bluegrass music since he was about 10 years old and listened to Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and the Osborne Brothers on the Grand Old Opry every Saturday night. Jim’s interest in playing the fiddle began early from listening to the Opry and watching shows on television like Hay Loft Hoedown, which was televised in the Louisville area back in the 1960's. His family couldn’t afford a fiddle when he was young, so he bought one himself when he turned 21. Armstrong’s brother Jack inspired him to learn the bluegrass style. Armstrong has played with a number of bands over the last 20 years. He also writes and records his own original Bluegrass songs. His other interest is relic hunting for Civil War and Colonial artifacts. Jim has been married to Becky for 30 years and they have one son Chris who also enjoys playing bluegrass music.
 

 
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