David Grier Interview   Coffee East March 26th, 2008

Guitar player David Grier is one of the bluegrass world's most gifted and respected instrumentalists. He has won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Guitraist of the year three times and has also earned two Grammy wins. His father, Lamar Grier, was also a widely respected musician, having served as the banjo player in Bill monroe's bluegrss band for several years. David plays Coffee East this Wednesday.

MM: The Basics. Where are you from, where do you live now?

DG: I was born in Washington, DC. Grew up in Laurel, MD. Went to school in Fort Meade, MD. Now I live in Nashville, TN. Been there for 24 years!

MM: I believe you grew up in Maryland. Which part of Maryland are you from, and what are your memories of living here?

DG: Ocean City, of course! and crab cakes too.

MM: You were/are a member of the legendary progressive bluegrass group Psychograss. By most listeners' standards, that group pushed the envelope of what people could expect to hear from bluegrass musicians. Creatively, what drove that group? What drove the spirit in that group?

DG: It perhaps is more improvisational, jazz like in its approach. We all have different musical senses and different musical mentors/heros so just about anything is fair game when we play. I always learn something new from playing with those guys.

MM: What kind of guitar do you play? What do you like about it?

DG: I've been playing a 1946 Martin D-28 that is really nice.Also Santa Cruz Guitar Co. made a guitar for me that I'll be playing on this trip too. I like it because it fights back!

MM: What do you still work on in your guitar playing? Where do you strive to be better? Creatively, what challenges still inspire and intrigue you?

DG: Learning is never ending. I still strive to write the best song that I'm able.

MM: What do you respect in a vocalist? What sort of vocals do you respond to?

DG: Anything with genuine feeling I respond to favorably.

MM: I have spoken to a few people who remember very fondly the old bluegrass festivals of the sixties and seventies. I would imagine you attended a few of those....what was the relationship like at those
shows between musicians and fans? What do you remember about those days.

DG: Most of the Performers were friends of my parents so it was just cool to hang.

MM: What can people expect from one of your live shows?

DG: Well, it starts with me riding a unicycle, juggling 2 flaming chainsaws and 1 rabid raccoon... no seriously, I'll just play the guitar the best way I can after 40 years of practice I've put in so far.

MM: Psychograss aside, what other musicians do you enjoy playing with and why?

DG: Anyone that is great at what they do is always fun to pick with. Anyone who has worked to perfect their art is also fun to play with.