Dan Tyminski Biography

Dan Tyminski Biography

Dan Tyminski (b. June 20, 1967) is a bluegrass composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist. He is a member of the band Alison Krauss and Union Station and has released a solo album entitled Carry Me Across the Mountain (2000) on the Doobie Shea Records label. Tyminski was born June 20, 1967 in Rutland, Vermont and plays a bluegrass style that blends traditional and pop traditions. Before becoming a member of Union Station in 1994, Tyminski played mandolin and sang in the Lonesome River Band. Though Tyminski's love and feel for traditional bluegrass didn't come from growing up in the southern Appalachians, he absorbed and learned the music just the same. He credits his brother Stan with getting him hooked on the guitar and mandolin at the age of 6. While Stan was in the Navy and home on leave, he left his mandolin with his younger brother. While in high school Dan and his brother formed a band called Green Mountain Bluegrass. Dan played the banjo with that band for nearly five years. In fact, Dan says that he was primarily a banjo player from the time he was twelve until he was in his early twenties. When he was twenty-one, Dan was hired to play mandolin in the Lonesome River Band. When asked how he landed that job, Dan said, "It was a word-of-mouth thing. We ended up playing some shows at the same venue and when the position came up for a musician, one of the guys in the band recommended to Tim (Austin) that they give me a call." Dan played the mandolin with the Lonesome River Band for about five years.

While he was still with the Lonesome River Band, Dan got a call from Alison Krauss, to add vocals and play guitar for her band Alison Krauss & Union Station. The band has been called one of the most formidible bands of any genre by CMT and has earned much commercial and critical acclaim. It was a big step up for Tyminski, who continues to play guitar and sing for the group. Tyminksi found further fame after providing the singing voice for George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou? In particular, his preformance of "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow gained him the most acclaim. It won both the 2001 CMA Award dor best Single of the year, and the 2001 Grammy for best country collabaration. In total, Tyminski has been awarded with Tyminski. Tyminski attributes his love for traditional bluegrass to such musicians and singers as Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Larry Sparks and Jimmy Martin. While Alison Krauss and Union Station is on hiatus due to Alison Krauss' tour with Robert Plant, Dan Tyminski has now formed his own group, the Dan Tyminski Band. The ensemble features Tyminski on guitar, Ronnie Stewart on banjo, Adam Steffey on mandolin, Justin Moses on fiddle and dobro, and Barry Bales on upright bass. An album, entitled Wheels, was released on Rounder Records in June.Dan Tyminski weapons of choice are Martin and Bourgeois guitars and Sim Daley mandolins. Dan also has three kids, Kathryn, Chris, and John. His wife is named Elise.