The Infamous Stringdusters are a progressive acoustic bluegrass band that emerged in 2006 with their self-titled EP, establishing themselves as innovative torchbearers of traditional American roots music. Composed of Andy Hall on Dobro, Andy Falco on guitar, Chris Pandolfi on banjo, Jeremy Garrett on fiddle, and Travis Book on double bass, the group has cultivated a distinctive sound that balances the band's bluegrass foundations with complex arrangements and groove-centric musicianship. Their debut album, Fork in the Road, arrived in 2007 on Sugar Hill Records and immediately announced the band as a major force in contemporary bluegrass.
The Stringdusters' early acclaim was swift and substantial. At the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Ceremony, they claimed three honors: Emerging Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Fork in the Road (shared with J.D. Crowe & the New South), and Song of the Year for the album's title track. The band's innovative approach continued to resonate through the following decade, earning a 2011 Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance for "Magic No. 9" from Things That Fly. In 2018, the Stringdusters captured the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, solidifying their status as one of the genre's premier contemporary acts.
With multiple Grammy nominations and accolades from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including a 2011 bid for Entertainer of the Year, the Infamous Stringdusters have established themselves as essential voices in modern bluegrass. Their 2021 album A Tribute to Bill Monroe earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Bluegrass Album category, demonstrating their continued relevance and artistic growth while honoring the genre's foundational figures.
