John Duffey
Take It Easy Ranch, Callaway, Maryland, 1973

Duffey was the mandolin player and high tenor for two of the most influential newgrass bands ever: the Country Gentleman and Seldom Scene. Loosely defined, "newgrass" refers to the generation of bluegrass musicians who came after Bill Monroe, adding a more contemporary attitude to the music, while still following and respecting the Monroe style. Duffey helped formed the Country Gentlemen in 1957 and the Seldom Scene in 1971, remaining with that band until his death in 1996. The latter band, named for the fact that they rarely toured, was one of the most popular bands in bluegrass in the 1970s and into the 1980s, often performing with more mainstream acts such as Linda Ronstadt.