King's Virginia roots pour out in his bluegrass music

King's Virginia roots pour out in his bluegrass music


Photo by Jim McGuire/Courtesy of Rounder Records

DEREK HALSEY
For The Herald-Dispatch

Bluegrass music has grown in leaps and bounds through the years and is now being played by musicians from many parts of America and around the world.

That has been good for the popularity of the genre and has pushed the music into different sonic roots and branches. As a result, there are excellent bluegrass musicians found in places as diverse as New York City, the Czech Republic and even Japan. Every once in a while, however, the rural heart of bluegrass comes through in certain artists. One of the best examples of this is Virginia native James King.

King is proud to be a country boy raised near Martinsville, Va. That upbringing is a big part of why he is considered one of the most authentic and soulful singers in the world of bluegrass.

- rest at www.herald-dispatch.com/life/x766439363/Kings-Virginia-roots-pour-out-in-his-bluegrass-music