Johnson City, Tennessee native
Richard Bennett has been a professional musician since age 11. His resume includes a six-year tour with J.D. Crowe and the New South, as well as a stint in the house band at Dollywood. His second Rebel release features his explosive guitar work and steady vocals on a nice blend of bluegrass classics, original songs of love gone wrong, fast-pickin' instrumentals, a traditional gospel number, even an ode to mother. Although there's little here that could be regarded as new or pathbreaking, you're not likely to find a more satisfying album of pure bluegrass this year. ~ Joel Roberts