James Arnott “Jimmy” Gaudreau[1] is a singer and mandolinist playing traditional and progressive bluegrass music. He is best known for his solo albums, and his work with
The Country Gentlemen,
Tony Rice, and
J. D. Crowe.
Biography
Early life
In high school in the '60s, Gaudreau performed as a professional musician, playing electric guitar in his band Jimmy G & the Jaguars. The band played dances and Saturday nights at his uncle's Rhode Island beachfront restaurant.[2]
During the folk boom, Gaudreau became interested in bluegrass music. When he started playing the mandolin, he used guitar fingering techniques, giving him his unique sound.[3]
The Country Gentlemen
Gaudreau moved to the Washington, DC area from his native Rhode Island in 1969 to become a member of the Country Gentlemen, replacing
John Duffey and joining
Charlie Waller, Ed Farris, and
Eddie Adcock. In his first stint with the band, he contributed to two albums: New Look New Sound and One Wide River. He rejoined the Gentlemen from 1981 until 1985 to record Good as Gold (Sugar Hill) and Let the Light Shine Down.[4]
The II Generation
In 1971,
Eddie Adcock (banjo) assembled the progressive bluegrass band II Generation with Gaudreau, Bob White (bass), and Wendy Thatcher (guitar).[5] II Generation was known for extended jams, and they called their music "newgrass." They disbanded in 1980.[6]
Country Store
Gaudreau formed Country Store in 1973 with
Keith Whitley (guitar),
Carl Jackson (banjo), and Bill Rawlings (bass). Later, Jackson was replaced by Jimmy Arnold, and Whitley was replaced by Chris Stifel. They recorded two albums and broke up in 1975.[7][8]
From 1979 through 1981, Gaudreau was a member of Spectrum with banjoist
Béla Fleck and bassist
Mark Schatz. They recorded two albums for
Rounder Records: Too Hot To Handle (1982) and Live In Japan (1983). After this, Gaudreau returned to the Country Gentlemen for his second stint.[9][12]
Tony Rice Unit
In 1985, Gaudreau was a member of the
Tony Rice Unit for 11 years. Besides Rice and Gaudreau, the Unit included
Wyatt Rice (guitar), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), and
Rickie Simpkins (fiddle).[13] Gaudreau looked for other opportunities when Rice's vocal problems hinted at an end to the band.[14]
Chesapeake
In 1992,
Chesapeake, featuring Gaudreau,
Mike Auldridge,
T. Michael Coleman, and
Moondi Klein, released three critically acclaimed albums on the
Sugar Hill label. With no banjo, they were more acoustic country than bluegrass. Chesapeake disbanded in 1999 when their contract with Sugar Hill ended.[2][9]
Auldridge, Bennett & Gaudreau
Out of the Chesapeake experience came a trio with Auldridge, Gaudreau, and guitarist Richard Bennett.[15] This group released two albums: Blue Lonesome Wind and This Old Town.[9]
Gaudreau's solo career includes The Mandolin Album on Puritan Records. In Good Company on
CMH Records in 2006 collects tracks from Gaudreau's career, with Tony Rice, Eddie Adcock, and Charlie Waller, among others.[16]
The Country Gentlemen Reunion Band
As The Country Gentlemen Reunion Band, Gaudreau with Randy Waller (son of Charlie Waller), Eddie Adcock, and
Tom Gray recorded one album in 2008.[17]
Carolina Star
Gaudreau joined Carolina Star with leader John Starling (guitar) and bandmates Mike Auldridge (resonator guitar), Rickie Simpkins (fiddle), Tom Gray (bass),
Larry Stephenson (mandolin), and
Jon Randall (guitar).[18]
The Fine Group
Gaudreau joined
Robin and Linda Williams and Jim Watson as part of the Fine Group for several years.
Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein
When Chesapeake split up, Gaudreau and vocalist
Moondi Klein began to play the occasional show. This led to their 2008 album 2:10 Train,[19] followed by Home From the Mill[20] and then If I Had A Boat, all released on
Rebel Records.[21] In 2008, Gaudreau and Klein toured with
Emmylou Harris.[22]
The Skylighters
A group of Washington DC area musicians got together for fun in 2006, and decided to record as the Skylighters. The musicians were Gaudreau (mandolin, vocals), Auldridge (resonator guitar), Eric Brace (guitar, vocals), J. Carson Gray (bass), and Martin Lynds (drums, vocals). They played a mixture of bluegrass, western swing, gospel, and honky-tonk music, and recorded one self-titled album on the
Red Beet label.[23]
Awards
In 2005, Gaudreau was inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America's "Hall of Greats".[24]