Don Rigsby

Born in Eastern Kentucky, Don Rigsby first encountered bluegrass as a youngster, absorbing Ralph Stanley’s recordings and spending time with two of Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys—his cousin Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley. His own powerful tenor and singular mandolin style soon allowed him to carve out a distinct place in the music.

While still attending college he launched his professional career, first gaining national visibility with the Bluegrass Cardinals. From there he moved into J.D. Crowe and the New South, later working with Charlie Sizemore and Vern Gosdin before joining the prize-winning Lonesome River Band. He also filled a temporary role with the Seldom Scene after John Duffey’s sudden death and took part in Longview, Rounder’s all-star traditional bluegrass ensemble. By the late 1990s he had begun issuing solo albums and launched a series of “brother duo” recordings with Dudley Connell.