Andy Hall is the Dobro player in the Infamous Stringdusters, a progressive bluegrass band he helped start in 2005. He met two of the band’s founders at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2018 the Stringdusters won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album with Laws of Gravity.
Why Hall matters
Hall has played Dobro in the Infamous Stringdusters since the band began, about two decades. Their album Laws of Gravity won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018.
Life and career
Hall studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. There he met banjo player Chris Pandolfi and guitarist Chris Eldridge. Hall moved to Nashville first, and the other two followed him.
In Nashville, Hall played in Ronnie Bowman’s band. His bandmates there included mandolin player Jesse Cobb and fiddler Jeremy Garrett. In 2005 Hall, Pandolfi, Eldridge, Cobb, and Garrett formed the Infamous Stringdusters, with bassist Travis Book. Their first album, Fork in the Road, came out on Sugar Hill in 2007.
The band moved on to other labels and lineups. Andy Falco replaced Eldridge on guitar in 2007. Laws of Gravity came out on Compass Records in 2017 and won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018.
Playing style
Hall plays Dobro as one of five instruments in the Stringdusters, beside banjo, guitar, fiddle, and bass. The band records almost all of its live shows, so much of his playing is on record.
Influences and legacy
Hall has shared the Stringdusters stage with Chris Pandolfi since the start. Founding guitarist Chris Eldridge left in 2007 to join the Punch Brothers.
Essential recordings
Fork in the Road, the Infamous Stringdusters (Sugar Hill, 2007) Laws of Gravity, the Infamous Stringdusters (Compass, 2017)
Awards and honors
Grammy Award, Best Bluegrass Album, Laws of Gravity, with the Infamous Stringdusters (2018)
Watch and listen
Hall plays the fiddle tune Leather Britches on Dobro.
What to learn from Hall
Hall plays in a band that jams. Learn a fiddle tune such as Leather Britches until you can play the melody without thinking. Then play it again with a friend and take turns. Each time through, change one phrase and keep the rest.
Sources
Hall, Andy, BluegrassBios.com The Infamous Stringdusters, Wikipedia The Infamous Stringdusters win Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for Laws of Gravity, BroadwayWorld
Related players
See the Dobro players hub and the Dobro guide. Hall’s bandmate Chris Pandolfi is on the banjo list. For other Dobro players in today’s bands, see Justin Moses and Gaven Largent.