Groovegrass

Groovegrass arose as a collaborative venture fusing bluegrass traditions with funk classics, conceived by Boston-based session player Scott Rouse, an enduring bluegrass enthusiast who initially tested dance remixes of "Deep River Blues," "I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home" and further traditional standards. Those remixes gained traction on the regional club circuit, where a local DJ originated the phrase "groovegrass," prompting Rouse, at the urging of family friend Doc Watson, to move to Nashville; there Music City executives dismissed the idea until Warner Bros. consented to produce a dance remix of John Anderson's "Swingin'." The cut remained officially unreleased following Anderson's directive yet circulated widely through bootlegs and earned cult status in clubs nationwide. Groovegrass's debut official offering, a remix EP of the Osborne Brothers' "Rocky Top," ultimately exceeded 100,000 units sold, after which Rouse assembled bluegrass legends such as Watson, Mac Wiseman and Del McCoury alongside funk icon Bootsy Collins to perform as the Groovegrass Boyz; the ensemble delivered a self-titled 1997 album that included their version of the smash "Macarena." Groovegrass 101 Featuring Groovegrass Boyz appeared the next year.