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Georgia Grass is one of the longest running and venerable Bluegrass bands in Georgia. Founded in 1973 by our band leader and guitarist, Dan Daniel, Georgia Grass has played many of the Bluegrass festivals throughout Georgia and the southeast. Georgia Grass has been well known from the early 1970's in various clubs and private events in and around Atlanta. In 1976 Georgia grass was chosen to play for the grand opening of the, then new, Georgia World Congress Center. Today Georgia Grass is still going strong as a local Bluegrass powerhouse of musical ability with three talented members.

Dan Daniel

Our band leader, Dan Daniel, plays acoustic guitar and sings lead vocals on most of our songs, Dan is the storyteller of the group with a deep knowledge of traditional Bluegrass and Americana folk music and its history in the state of Georgia and the Southeast. Dan taught himself to play guitar when he was 9 years old and music has been an integral part of his life since. Dan is the President of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association. He is also a lifetime member of the Bonded Brothers of Bluegrass. He has received many awards throughout his long music career and in 2009 Dan was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 Dan received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers. And in 2019 Dan was awarded the Fiddlin’ John Carson Award for his contributions to the music industry in the state of Georgia.

James McKinney

James McKinney is our 5-String Banjo player and when you hear him perform you will understand why he is considered one of the foremost masters of the 5-string Banjo in the world. James also sings vocals on many songs and has been a well known Nashville stage musician and recording artist for many years, playing in Opryland during its heyday as well as the Grand Ole Opry, The Station Inn, and other well known stages. James has played music both on stage and in recordings with many great names such as Bill Monroe, Vassar Clements, John Hartford and many others. In 1982 James won the USA Grand National Championship for 5-string Banjo at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. James also teaches at many music camps in the USA and abroad and was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and also received the Musician's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers in 2018.

Niki Portmann

Niki Portmann is our upright Bass player and also sings vocals. She is an accomplished and respected bass artist of many years. Niki was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and also was awarded the Musician's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers in 2018.

Georgia Grass is a modern Bluegrass band with it roots deep in traditional Bluegrass and Americana Folk but a refreshing and modern take on many traditional favorites as well as original works. We will work with you to make your event special for you and your guest.