Cecil Patterson

I learned to play guitar at the age of 12. My
grandmother was probably the biggest single
reason for my interest in bluegrass music. She
was a huge fan of Bill Monroe and Jimmy
Martin. As a kid, we used to go the the
bluegrass festival in Kerrville Texas every year. I
listened to the performances of Jimmy Martin,
Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Doyle Lawson, and
many others.

When I was 16, my uncle purchased a banjo.
He let me borrow it and I was hooked on banjo
from that point on. My absolute favorite banjo
player was and still is JD Crowe. I was totally
blown away by JD Crowe and the New South
with members of Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, and
Jerry Douglas. It was a super group creating a
bluegrass sound like no other.

Other influences were Terry Baucom and Doyle
Lawson and some of my favorite bands are The
Lonesome River Band and Blue Highway.

Over the years I've played in several bands:
Bluegrass Reunion, Second Time Around, The
Vinings, and Blue River.