.Jesse McReynolds, who is originally from the mountains of southwest Virginia and grew up in a family steeped in traditional mountain music, has been a member of the WSM Grand Ole Opry since 1964. He and his late brother Jim performed as the legendary bluegrass brother duo of Jim & Jesse, recording more than 50 albums and CDs. Widely known as Mr. Mandolin, Jesse is a multi-instrumentalist perhaps best known for his innovative McReynolds style of mandolin crosspicking and split-string style. He has over 200 of his own original songs in his arsenal of show material, including “Dixie Hoe-Down”, “Drifting and Dreaming”, “Hard-Hearted”, “Just Wondering Why”, “Border Ride”, and “Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset” along with many other popular country, gospel and bluegrass classics.

In 1997, the McReynolds earned the National Endowment of the Arts’ prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award in recognition of their contribution to American music. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) inducted the brothers into its Hall of Honor in 1993. Jim & Jesse received a Grammy nomination for their 1992 joint effort, “Music Among Friends”, while Jesse individually received four Grammy nominations for recordings with other artists: Best Country Instrumental Recording in 1979 with Vassar Clements and others; Instrumental Recording of the Year in 1990 with Kenny Baker, Eddie Adcock and Josh Graves: and with “Mandolin Extravaganza” receiving double honors in 2000 from the IBMA for Best Instrumental Recording and Special Recorded Event of the Year for Jesse’s contribution to the David Grisman/Ronnie McCoury project. Jesse has recorded with many other artists, including a memorable session with The Doors on their “Soft Parade” LP. He has performed in many countries in Europe, in Japan, and on a State Department-sponsored tour of Africa.

Since the passing of his brother Jim in December 2002, Jesse continues to perform on the Grand Ole Opry and carry on the tradition of the Jim & Jesse sound that they did together for over 50 years. His current band, The Virginia Boys, includes three of his grandchildren, Luke McKnight, who plays bass and can also perform Jesse’s crosspicking style on mandolin, Garrett McReynolds, tenor vocals and rhythm guitar; and Amanda Lynne McReynolds, third part vocals. The band travels throughout the United States and Canada.

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