The Grascals

When Danny Roberts learned to play the mandolin while growing up in Kentucky, he never dreamed it would take him all over the world. “When I was coming up, my musical idols played in contests. They did it on the weekends, then went back to their regular jobs. That’s what I saw, and that’s what I wanted to do.” 

He never dreamed that he could have a full-time career in music. Yet, for the past 22 years, Danny has been playing with The Grascals, a group he formed with a childhood friend, Jimmy Maddingly. “Jimmy and I grew up together.” In addition to Danny and Jimmy, the other OG’s (Original Grascals) were Terry Eldredge, Jamie Johnson, Terry Smith and David Talbot. A few months after they formed The Grascals, they were asked to be Dolly Parton’s opening act and to serve as her backing band on tour. It was the kind of endorsement bands dream of – they had professional respect, they were adored by their fans, and they were celebrated by the industry.  

“Dolly is as sweet as can be,” says Danny. “When we were in the studio with her, we’d all sit in a circle and work on a song, then she’d feed us. She made us chicken and dumplings or biscuits and gravy – she’s a great cook.” 

It didn’t take long for The Grascals to get recognition in the form of awards. Their blend of modern traditional bluegrass, along with country influences and gospel, earned them plenty of accolades. They were honored on a big scale right out of the gate. Their self-titled debut featured a duet with Dolly Parton on “Viva Las Vegas.” It won the IBMA Album of the Year, and the band was named IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year. More recognition followed, with two IBMA Entertainers of the Year awards, a Dove award nomination, and three GRAMMY nominations. 

The Grascals have shared the stage with many stars and recorded with many more. They have recorded and toured with Charlie Daniels, Tom T. Hall, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, George Jones, Hank Williams, Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner, The Jordanaires, and Joe Nichols. 

The band has performed worldwide and for two United States presidents. “We played for George W. Bush at Fort Campbell in Tennessee,” recalls Danny. “We were in a huge hangar with thousands of soldiers both inside and outside. Air Force One approached as we finished a song, and it was inspiring to see all those soldiers turn to watch the President disembark. We also played for a going-away party for the President’s staff at the White House, and the President and First Lady came backstage and talked with us. They were just as friendly and down-home as could be.” The band also played during an ancillary event honoring Native Americans as part of Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Playing overseas has been a wonderful experience for Danny and the band. “The most memorable places we went, for me at least, were Japan and Greece. In Japan, we couldn’t communicate with the people because of the language barrier, but they still loved the music. And Greece was so different in culture and lifestyle. I marveled that I was so far from home. In Japan we played a festival with Charlie Daniels, and we were the only bluegrass group. I remember that it was set up like a 90’s festival, and the people there were all dressed in cowboy attire.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqV_wVlxkhc

Today, the band members include Danny, Kyle Perkins, John Bryan, Jamie Harper, Kristin Scott Benson, and Jamie Johnson. When asked what keeps them going, Danny emphatically responded, “It’s the love of the music.” 

Danny is the only member who has been with the band since its beginning. “Jamie left and returned after eight years. Throughout hard times and adversity, we are all still friends. You have to have a purpose. It’s like a marriage, where it’s not all roses all the time. And when you have six people with six different ideas, you’ve got to know when to give and when to take. That said, it’s never been as easy in the band as it is now. The singing is so good, the music is fun, and everyone gets along. We really have a blast together! This is not a chore for any of us – it is always a pleasure for us to play together.”

That camaraderie shows when the band is on stage. A Grascals show is upbeat and light-hearted, yet the music is always on point. Whether it’s at a festival, Radio City Music Hall, or the Grand Ole Opry, every time they walk on stage, they put on the best show possible. 

“I have to admit, any time the Opry calls, we are always ready to go,” says Danny. The Grascals have played over 200 times at the iconic venue, and Danny states that the times they have played there are his most memorable shows. “It’s an honor every time we walk out on that stage. I always thought if you got on the Opry, you’ve made it. One very special highlight was playing with Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner the last time they sang together on the Opry stage.” 

Danny’s daughter, Jaelee, who is now a member of Sister Sadie, literally grew up in the wings of the Grand Ole Opry. “We used to measure her growth by Little Jimmy Dickens,” he laughs. “But she kept getting taller!”

The Grascals have a new album – their 14^th - coming out this summer on Billy Blue Records. “It’s our first record with Billy Blue, and we are really excited,” Danny says. “That album will include our first single with the label that features Dolly, ‘Broken Angels,’ and a music video with her as well. We have a new sponsor, Hopeless Holler Trading Co., and they are wonderful folks who we are so happy to be partnered with.”  Danny says the band is ready to “run up and down the road in our new ride and keep making great music.”