Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Jerry Douglas performs with Mumford recently

November 8, 2012

Session star: Jerry Douglas in Westbrook

He's played with everyone from Ray Charles to George Jones, and from Phish to Mumford & Sons.

By Ray Routhier rrouthier@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

(Continued from page 1)

Douglas knows first-hand the influence an older musician can have on a younger one. In his case it was his father, a guitar player from West Virginia who moved to the Youngstown, Ohio, area to work in the steel mills.

Although he worked in the mill by day, Douglas' father had a fairly successful band by night and on weekends. The house was always filled with old country and bluegrass music.

"He wouldn't let me play his guitar, so he got me one from Sears. But by the time I was 10 or so, I was playing the dobro," said Douglas.

Douglas saw many country music stars of the day -- Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, George Jones -- who played near his home. He also listened to rock stations out of Cleveland, and says he's glad he has a variety of musical styles in his background. It's certainly helped him with all the different styles of music he's played as a session musician over they years.

"I'm glad I have the bluegrass background, because it's a very physical music with a lot of improvisation," said Douglas. "So it's easier to go from bluegrass into rock than the other way around."

As soon as he graduated high school, Douglas left home to play in other people's bands -- first in Washington, D.C., then in Kentucky, and finally, in Nashville.

He sometimes regrets about not having a college education. But he realizes the road he's followed was the right one for him.

"I knew I was a good enough musician to do this," he said, "and I just followed my gut on every musical move I've made."

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com

Twitter: RayRouthier

 

Tweet