- Formed: 1974
- Genres: World
Biography
The sounds of bluegrass were imported into Canada by Toronto-based band, The Dixie Flyers. The late "father of bluegrass", Bill Monroe claimed, "the Dixie Flyers play good bluegrass, they play it the right way."Formed in Toronto in 1974, the Dixie Flyers have endured numerous personnel changes. Only flat-picking guitarist Bert Baumbach and vocalist/mandolin player Ken Palmer remain from the original group. Although their initial sound was based around harmonica player Willie P. Bennett, subsequent lineups have featured fiddlers included Gordon Strobbe, Peter Robinson and John "J.P." Allen and banjo players including Denis Lepago, David Jack, David Talbot and Walter Maynard.
The host band for CFPL-TV show, Bluegrass Express, in London, Ontario, in 1985, the Dixie Flyers appeared on a weekly radio show broadcast on CJBX-FM. In 1989, the group took over production of the Back 40 Bluegrass Festival in Windsor, Ontario. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
