My mother used to say "beauty is only Skin Deep" and I think most bluegrass fans are more interested in the quality and quantity of music than seeing a pretty face or a nice body. We've had some bands where the band members looked like they probably belonged on the farm or maybe at a homeless camp, but they could sing and they could pick and, as an added bonus, were good showmen. Crowds loved them.

One of my favorite local bands had four members who always looked like they forgot to change into decent clothes, but they could keep an audience begging for more and more.

While I enjoy Rhonda Vincents playing and singing, I never think that she's a good looking woman (although she is), just like listening to her sing.

So far "success" [cough, hack, cough] has been pretty elusive,* but. but, but as I have less than perfect occlusion and I usually wear bib overalls I figure I surely must have a leg-up.   

[* not a call for help; just a C'est la vie observation.]

Edit: Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder; R.V. looks "okay," IMNSHumbleO.

Rhonda, & God bless her, wanted to be a country music star, and had a brief fling with that genre. I think her star attitude/desire never left her, and who knows, it probably helped her win over fans. Jimmy Martin declared himself (I think, let me know if I’m mistaken) the “King of Bluegrass” …. I’m not sure who labeled Rhonda the “Queen of Bluegrass “.

Looks ALWAYS help, but bluegrass--like many other niche styles--doesn't prioritize them the way mainstream pop music does in the video age. (In the pre-television decades of country music, some of the genre's stars were downright funny looking.) We make stars out of folks who look like James King and Dale Ann Bradley because they're great singers and performers, not because of their appearance!

Lots of bluegrass performers wear suits and ties; Del McCoury comes to mind.
Joe

One thing that irritates me is how many bluegrass singers sing. Their singing voices seem fake and strained. Not all, but some. I do love how some, like Del and Bobby hit those high falsetto notes. I wish I could sing like that.
Joe

I switched to my own view of success way back-being acclaimed can be such a joke--I don't have time for all the heroes --
but I think looking young and passably handsome or pretty puts the talented forward in the booking --the same way it always worked--If they draw young fans that in itself draws more--This would be where the venues are getting younger fans--I could name a few--but won't-


Of course old school Grand Ole Opry types go more for other properties of the act---

I remember when Ricky Skaggs went country - they sure made him look good on those album covers.
Alison sure started looking glamourous after she became a big hit.
I’m more into the Roni Stoneman type….. ;-)

Years ago I was standing at the back of a venue with a guy that owned another venue. We were watching a group that paid way more for their matching costumes than any lessons or rehearsal. IOW, they sucked. The guy leaned over and only said, "You know, it makes it all the more obvious, doesn't it?"

I love Rhonda, but I think the emphasis on the dresses and makeup take away from how talented she is. Kristen Scott Benson is pretty and she doesn't feel the need to throw that aspect out in a performance. Her talent is what defines her- not low cut tops or short skirts. I have tremendous respect for her.

Hi, I'm a banjo player.  Will you hire me?

Not nearly as important as in Rock/Pop.
Most of the people who buy bluegrass music need eyeglasses to read this.
I'm purdy. Yep. I am!

(edited for typo.  had to find my glasses.)

Shouldn’t be but I’d say yes

when there is a new young star that is drawing in a very high percentage of adolescents standing and shaking you can bet there are hormones at work --cutey pies and curves cause these to flow-

-Whether intentional or not,,in bluegrass ,these derivatives-- for maximum impact --they might  show reverence to a few old monuments and proclaim ''living rightful'' be it religious or a small town attitude-

the key word here is success anyway--it has many different weigh-ins

Judging by the plethora of stetson hats and string ties I would say that looks are on a par with most other forms of popular music, going onstage wearing matching suits makes me think that many bluegrass bands pay a great deal of attention to how they look, Bobby Osborne did not just look a bit like Bill Monroe, he practically was Bill Monroe, he did not need to look that way he chose to !

Geez, Nick,, I can’t see much resemblance betwixt Monroe and Bobby O… other than they both played mandolin and hailed from Kentucky. Sonny resembled Earl Scruggs….?! … methinks not a chance! lol

quote:

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Originally posted by chuckv97

Geez, Nick,, I can’t see much resemblance betwixt Monroe and Bobby O… other than they both played mandolin and hailed from Kentucky. Sonny resembled Earl Scruggs….?! … methinks not a chance! lol

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Not even the long pointed sideburns, the scowling look and the high pitched voice ? Mandolin too, perhaps its just me but, they sure look very similar to me.

I guess what I am trying to say and probably failing is that, bluegrass / banjo playing in any genre is no different to any other showbiz job, looks matter, image is important and all pros are fully aware of it, F&S stetson hats and string ties were an important part of their image just like John Hartford's Derby bowler, waistcoat and two tone shoes. any artiste worth their salt is fully in control of how they look on stage and usually much thought has gone into how they present themselves to the paying public .

I dunno about "fully in control of how they look."    I figure there's a limit to the magic that make-up artists can perform.

Lousy plastic surgeons can create ghoulish looks ,, I’m thinking Cher, Peggy Lee, and others. I’m hoping Shania Twain and Alison Krauss find good ones - they’re starting to look strangely different to me... but, probably none of my damn business

Apparently smoking can also accomplish wondrous things    :

quote:

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Originally posted by Owen

I dunno about "fully in control of how they look."    I figure there's a limit to the magic that make-up artists can perform.

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You are probably correct, I guess some artistes are told what to do / wear etc it is probably very difficult to grow old gracefully, dyed hair capped teeth botox etc are the order of the day for many. I spent many years touring with some pretty big name performers in the 80s and they were often very "ordinary" off stage  especially early in the day about half way through a tour, They nearly always looked great onstage under good lighting with make up on !

Looks were very important to Monroe,The Foggy Mountain Boys and all the other bands that dressed up for their performances.

After the 60s things seem to have eased up on dressing up.
I like the Alice In Wonderland look of Molly Tuttle's band.

Some forms of today's music rely on acrobatics to excite their followers , but in BG I can think of Sam Bush & his turkey peck & John Cowan w/ his hair flaunting to the beat . Neither does much for me but they are both good musicians .

I remember Ron Thomason, when he was back with Johnny Lee Baker in the Dry Branch Fire Squad, drolly bragging that they had won first prize for "ugliest bluegrass band", heh...

By the way, whatever happened to John Lee B. ?