Bytown Bluegrass
We would like to thank the many people who have supported Bytown Bluegrass for the past several years. Since 2005, the most recent version of the band has been fortunate to have had opportunities to perform in many parts of Canada and we have enjoyed every minute of it. It has been a great privilege to share the stage with our partners Don O'Neill, John Richard and Neville Wells. However, our band members have some important items on their personal agendas in 2012, and we have decided to take a break. Bytown Bluegrass will not be available for bookings this year.
Please continue to use this web site regarding requests for Bytown Bluegrass recordings or to contact us to discuss possible options for individual or duo performances by the Adams Brothers, recording session work or other music-related projects.
Ray and Glen Adams
From their initial stage appearance in 1974, right up to the present day, the Ottawa-area band Bytown Bluegrass has consistently offered fans the very best in acoustic music. The "bluegrass" style defies definition, but those who consider themselves bluegrass devotees certainly find plenty to like in the repertoire of Bytown Bluegrass. And the same is true for those whose first preference might be country, folk, or alternative acoustic music.
The band name refers to the community that pre-dated Ottawa at the juncture of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers in Ontario, and which was named after Colonel John By, who directed the building of the Rideau Canal.
Bytown Bluegrass has been featured on most major festival stages in Ontario, with appearances in Manitoba, Québec and New York State as well. They have three albums to their credit, and have made numerous appearances on radio and national television. Their initial single recording, "Casey's Last Ride", released in 1979, still receives significant airplay, and brought the group nomination for a Canadian Country Music Association award in 1980, a rare honour for Canadian bluegrass bands.
While band members have changed over time, the common thread through the years has been the leadership of the Adams brothers, Ray and Glen, and their emphasis on harmony vocals, solid instrumentation, innovative arrangements and professional stage presentation. The latest version of Bytown Bluegrass brings together 5 musicians who are veteran performers in bluegrass and country music in Canada. They deliver solid traditional bluegrass favourites or contemporary ballads in the inimitable Bytown style.