{{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Audie Blaylock | honorific_suffix = | image = Audie Blaylock nonfree.jpg | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date|1962|08|18}} | birth_place = El Paso, Texas, U.S. | origin = | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|01|10|1962|08|18}} | death_place = Auburn, Indiana, U.S. | genre = Bluegrass music | occupation = Musician | instrument = Guitar, vocals, mandolin | years_active = 1983–2024 | label = Rural Rhythm, Patuxent | past_member_of = Jimmy Martin, Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Audie Blaylock and Redline | website = {{URL|redlinebluegrass.com}} | notable_instruments = | module = | module2 = | module3 = }}
'''Audie Blaylock''' (August 18, 1962 – January 10, 2024) was an American singer, guitarist, mandolinist and composer in the bluegrass tradition.
== Biography == ===Early years=== Blaylock was born in El Paso, Texas, but was raised in Lansing, Michigan. Growing up in a family where both parents played music, he learned guitar at age 8. He grew up playing guitar and mandolin in local bands.<ref name=AB-hvba-2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.hvbluegrass.org/articles/interviews/642-a-conversation-with-audie-blaylock.html|title=A Conversation with Audie Blaylock|work=Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Jaques DiCroce|date=April 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331193701/http://hvbluegrass.org/articles/interviews/642-a-conversation-with-audie-blaylock.html|archive-date=March 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Support for Other Artists=== In 1982, at age 19, Blaylock joined Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, and spent nine years with them playing mandolin.<ref name=AB-herald-2013>{{cite news|last1=Heibutzki|first1=Ralph|title=Five questions with ... Audie Blaylock|url=http://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/five-questions-with-audie-blaylock/article_ddd2f024-d476-56d1-b933-0f1fc2e6f321.html|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=Herald-Palladium|date=July 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=AB-scene-2005>{{cite news|last1=Weisberger|first1=Jon|title=Jimmy Martin, 1927-2005|url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/arts-culture/article/13011783/jimmy-martin-19272005|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=Nashville Scene|date=May 19, 2005}}</ref>
In 1990, Blaylock worked with Red Allen until his death in 1993.<ref name=AB-museum-2017>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluegrassmuseum.org/red-allen/|title=Red Allen|work=International Bluegrass Music Museum |access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>
Starting in 1993, Blaylock played both mandolin and guitar with the Lynn Morris Band.<ref name=AB-buffalo-1996>{{cite news|last1=MacTaggart|first1=Garaud |title=The Bluegrass is Greener in the Lynn Morris Tradition|url=http://buffalonews.com/1996/03/27/the-bluegrass-is-greener-in-the-lynn-morris-tradition/|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=March 27, 1996}}</ref>
From 1997 to 2000, Blaylock played with Harley Allen (Red Allen's son). Allen was an accomplished country music songwriter (for Garth Brooks, John Michael Montgomery, and others), and recorded for Mercury Records.<ref name=AB-herald-2013 /><ref name=AB-bmi-2011>{{cite web |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/harley_allen_dies|title=Harley Allen Dies|work=BMI|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=April 5, 2011}}</ref>
From 1999 to 2003, Blaylock worked with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, playing guitar and singing harmonies.<ref name=AB-wapost-2001>{{cite news|last1=staff writer|title=Rhonda Vincent and the Rage: Stylish Bluegrass|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/10/20/rhonda-vincent-and-the-rage-stylish-bluegrass/ba746b40-2b3f-4e2a-b2ca-a3941d72ecab/|access-date=September 1, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 20, 2001}}</ref><ref name=AB-nodep-2001>{{cite news|last1=Weisberger|first1=Jon|title=Rhonda Vincent - More than a feeling|url=http://nodepression.com/article/rhonda-vincent-more-feeling|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=No Depression|date=June 30, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902094637/http://nodepression.com/article/rhonda-vincent-more-feeling|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
From 2006 to 2007, Blaylock and fiddler Michael Cleveland formed "Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock."<ref name=AB-leo-2007>{{cite web |url=https://www.leoweekly.com/2007/07/out-on-a-limb-with-fiddlinae-mike-cleveland/|title=Out on a limb with fiddlin': Mike Cleveland|work=LEO Weekly|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Mary W. Burton|date=July 31, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Tim |title=Michael Cleveland: Fiddlin' with the Giants|url=http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=49&storyid=3131 |access-date=September 1, 2017|work=Louisville Music News}}</ref>
===Trains Are the Only Way to Fly=== In 2001, Bllaylock recorded his self-released solo album ''Trains Are the Only Way to Fly'', featuring Tom Adams (banjo), Jesse Brock (mandolin), and Ron Stewart (fiddle).<ref name=AB-std-2002>{{cite web |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=64|title=Audie Blaylock: Trains Are The Only Way To Fly|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=George Hauenstein}}</ref>
===Audie Blaylock and Redline=== Blaylock started Redline in 2004, took time out to work with Michael Cleveland, and reactivated Redline in 2007. The current band consists of Evan Ward on banjo, Reed Jones on the bass, and Mason Wright on fiddle. Patrick McAvinue played fiddle in the band prior to joining Dailey and Vincent. Russ Carson played banjo in the band prior to joining Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Matt Wallace played bass at first, but was later replaced by Reed Jones.<ref name=AB-hvba-2012 />
Blaylock and Redline released the ''Audie Blaylock & Redline'' album in 2009 on the Rural Rhythm label.<ref name=AB-rough-2009>{{cite web |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2009/01/21120-audie-blaylock-and-redline-audie-blaylock-and-redline|title=Audie Blaylock And Redline - Audie Blaylock And Redline|work=Roughstock|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Matt Bjorke|date=January 27, 2009}}</ref><ref name=AB-std-2009>{{cite web |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=4074|title=Audie Blaylock: Audie Blaylock & Redline|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Tim FitzPatrick}}</ref> In 2010, they released ''Cryin' Heart Blues'' which was compared favourably to the music of Jimmy Martin.<ref name=AB-hangout-2013>{{cite web |url=https://www.banjohangout.org/blog/31184|title=Audie Blaylock and Redline - Crying Heart Blues|work=Banjo Hangout|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=James Stiltner|date=December 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name=AB-acoustic-2010>{{cite web |url=http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p06303.htm|title=Cryin' Heart Blues: Audie Blaylock and Redline|work=Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Mark S. Tucker}}</ref>
In 2011, Blaylock released the ''I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: A Bill Monroe Celebration'' album (Rural Rhythm). Special guests included Ronnie McCoury, Glen Duncan, Jason Carter, Bobby Osborne, Lou Reid, Del McCoury, and Carl Jackson.<ref name=AB-unlimited-2011>{{cite web |url=http://bluegrassmusic.com/content/2011/reviews/audie-blaylock-and-redline-im-going-back-to-old-kentucky-a-bill-monroe-celebration/|title=Audie Blaylock and Redline – I'm Going Back To Old Kentucky (A Bill Monroe Celebration)|work=Bluegrass Unlimited|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=November 3, 2011}}</ref>
Blaylock released the album ''Hard Country'' in 2012, produced by Scott Vestal.<ref name=AB-cybergrass-2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.cybergrass.com/node/1392#sthash.slgIBjG0.dpbs|title="Hard Country" by Audie Blaylock and Redline Out June 19, Single on Charts|work=Cybergrass|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=June 14, 2012|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902105021/http://www.cybergrass.com/node/1392#sthash.slgIBjG0.dpbs|url-status=dead}}</ref> Blaylock chose the album name to emphasize how closely bluegrass and country music are related.<ref name=AB-prescrip-2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2012/06/new-album-release-by-audie-blaylock.html|title=New Album Release by Audie Blaylock + Redline Next Week|work=Prescription Bluegrass|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=June 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902093749/http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2012/06/new-album-release-by-audie-blaylock.html|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, Blaylock and Redline released ''The Road That Winds'' album for Patuxent Music. Banjoist Evan Ward returned to the band, joining Blaylock, McAvinue, and Jones. The album was recorded at Scott Vestal's Digital Underground Studio.<ref name=AB-bgtoday-2016>{{cite news|last1=Lawless|first1=John|title=Audie Blaylock back with The Road That Winds|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/audie-blaylock-back-with-the-road-that-winds/|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=Bluegrass Today|date=June 10, 2016}}</ref>
===Other projects=== In 2004, Blaylock was a primary coordinator for and contributor to the ''A Tribute to Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass'' project, which also featured Kenny Ingram, J. D. Crowe, Paul Williams, Michael Cleveland, Jason Moore, and Sonya Isaacs.<ref name=AB-nodep-2014>{{cite news|last1=Weisberger|first1=Jon|title=Various Artists - A Tribute to Jimmy Martin, "The King of Bluegrass"|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/various-artists-tribute-jimmy-martin-king-bluegrass|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=No Depression|date=August 31, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902101217/http://nodepression.com/album-review/various-artists-tribute-jimmy-martin-king-bluegrass|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Luthier Teddy Workman of TW Guitars in West Virginia designed and constructed the Red Line edition guitar in 2010, with rosewood back and sides and a thin red line running up the fret board into the peghead.<ref name=AB-hvba-2012 /><ref name=AB-hoperiver-2010>{{cite web|url=https://hoperiverentertainment.com/2010/11/09/the-redline-model-tw-guitar/|title=The Redline Model TW Guitar|work=Hope River Entertainment|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=November 9, 2010|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902094318/https://hoperiverentertainment.com/2010/11/09/the-redline-model-tw-guitar/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Death== Blaylock died on January 10, 2024. He was 61.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawless |first=John |date=2024-01-12 |title=Audie Blaylock passes |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/audie-blaylock-passes/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Bluegrass Today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/audie-blaylock-celebration-of-life-next-week/|title=Audie Blaylock Celebration of Life next week|first=Richard|last=Thompson|date=January 16, 2024}}</ref>
== Discography == === Solo albums === * 2001: ''Trains Are the Only Way to Fly'' (self-released)<ref name="AB -nodep-2001">{{cite news|last1=Weisberger|first1=Jon|title=Audie Blaylock - Trains Are The Only Way To Fly|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/audie-blaylock-trains-are-only-way-fly|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=No Depression|date=August 31, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902134059/http://nodepression.com/album-review/audie-blaylock-trains-are-only-way-fly|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== With Rhonda Vincent === * 2001: ''The Storm Still Rages'' (Rounder) * 2003: ''One Step Ahead'' (Rounder)
=== With Michael Cleveland === * 2002: ''Flame Keeper'' (Rounder) * 2006: ''Let 'er Go, Boys!'' (Rounder)
=== With Audie Blaylock and Redline === * 2009: ''Audie Blaylock and Redline'' (Rural Rhythm)<ref name=AB-unlimited-2009>{{cite web|url=http://bluegrassmusic.com/content/reviews/reviews-june-2009/|title=Reviews – June 2009|work=Bluegrass Unlimited|access-date=August 31, 2017|date=June 1, 2009|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902100256/http://bluegrassmusic.com/content/reviews/reviews-june-2009/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 2010: ''Cryin Heart Blues'' (Rural Rhythm)<ref name=AB-nodep-2010>{{cite news|last1=Hyperbolium|title=Audie Blaylock and Redline - Cryin' Heart Blues (Rural Rhythm, 2010)|url=http://nodepression.com/article/audie-blaylock-and-redline-cryin'-heart-blues-rural-rhythm-2010|access-date=August 31, 2017|work=No Depression|date=April 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902101228/http://nodepression.com/article/audie-blaylock-and-redline-cryin%E2%80%99-heart-blues-rural-rhythm-2010|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 2011: ''I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: A Bill Monroe Celebration'' (Rural Rhythm)<ref name=AB-nodep-2011>{{cite news|last1=Moulton|first1=Jim|title="I'm Going Back To Old Kentucky" - Audie Blaylock & Redline - A Review|url=http://nodepression.com/article/im-going-back-old-kentucky-audie-blaylock-redline-review|access-date=September 1, 2017|work=No Depression|date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902094526/http://nodepression.com/article/im-going-back-old-kentucky-audie-blaylock-redline-review|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 2012: ''Hard Country'' (Rural Rhythm)<ref name=AB-hvba-2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.hvbluegrass.org/articles/reviews/802-audie-blaylock-redline-hard-country.html|title=Audie Blaylock & Redline: Hard Country|work=Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Glen Herbe|date=January 26, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * 2016: ''The Road That Winds'' (Patuxent Music)<ref name=AB-std-2016>{{cite web |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=6196|title=Audie Blaylock and Redline: The Road That Winds|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=August 31, 2017|author=Fred Smith}}</ref> *2019: ''Originalist'' (615 Hideaway Records)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/originalist-audie-blaylock-and-redline/|title=Originalist - Audie Blaylock and Redline|date=5 November 2019}}</ref>
===As primary contributor=== * 2004: various artists - ''Tribute To Jimmy Martin: The King Of Bluegrass'' (Koch Records)<ref name=AB-hybrid-2004>{{cite web |url=http://www.hybridmagazine.com/reviews/1204/jimmymartin.shtml|title=Tribute To Jimmy Martin "The King Of Bluegrass"|work=Hybrid Magazine|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> * 2010: various artists - ''All-Star Jam: Live at Graves Mountain'' (Rural Rhythm) * 2011: various artists - ''Appalachian Gospel Revival'' (Rural Rhythm) - track 6, "Who'll Sing For Me" * 2011: various artists - ''Rural Rhythm Records Salutes Bill Monroe 100th Year Celebration: Live At Bean Blossom CD'' (Rural Rhythm) - track 6, "Six Feet Under the Ground"
=== Also appears on === * 1989: Chris Warner - ''Chris Warner & Friends'' (Webco) * 1991: Bill Emerson - ''Reunion'' (Pinecastle) * 2006: Patrick McAvinue - ''Grave Run'' (Patuxent) * 2009: Jessie Baker - ''Yessir!'' (Patuxent) * 2009: Michael Martin Murphey - ''Buckaroo Blue Grass II'' (Rural Rhythm) * 2009: Frank Wakefield- "Ownself Blues" (Patuxent) * 2010: Bobby Osborne - ''Memories: Celebrating Bobby's 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer'' (Rural Rhythm) * 2013: Darren Nicholson - ''Things Left Undone'' (self-released)
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{URL|redlinebluegrass.com/|Official website}} * {{AllMusic | id= audie-blaylock-mn0000203953 | label= Audie Blaylock}} * {{discogs artist|3088543-Audie-Blaylock|Audie Blaylock}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Blaylock, Audie}} Category:1962 births Category:2024 deaths Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:American bluegrass guitarists Category:American bluegrass mandolinists Category:Bluegrass musicians from Texas Category:Country musicians from Texas Category:Musicians from Fort Worth, Texas