Early career Sutton's grandfather and father were regionally recognized fiddlers, and Sutton grew up playing in the family band, the Pisgah Pickers. In 1991, he played guitar for
Karen Peck and New River, a gospel group. In 1993, he moved to
Nashville.
Ricky Skaggs Sutton first came to prominence in 1997 as lead guitarist in
Ricky Skaggs' band
Kentucky Thunder when Skaggs returned to
bluegrass. Sutton eventually left the band to focus on session work.
Hot Rize ,
Nick Forster,
Tim O'Brien, Bryan Sutton Bryan was asked to join the bluegrass quartet
Hot Rize in 2002. He has toured and recorded with them ever since, and has only missed one show since they re-formed.
Session work and touring In addition to Skaggs and Hot Rize, Sutton has toured with the
Dixie Chicks,
Jerry Douglas,
Sam Bush,
Béla Fleck,
Chris Thile,
Tony Rice and others. In 2007-08, Sutton toured with
Chris Thile & The How to Grow a Band, a project which later turned into the
Punch Brothers.
Other projects In June, 2011 he launched the Online Bluegrass Guitar School with Bryan Sutton, as part of the
ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass. In 2013, Sutton recorded the album
Ready for the Times with
T. Michael Coleman and
David Holt. They recorded the album as a tribute to
Doc Watson. The trio got together in 2011, and have performed frequently under the name Deep River Rising.
Recordings For
Almost Live, Sutton was joined by 17 guest musicians, including
Béla Fleck (banjo),
Jerry Douglas (resonator guitar),
Russ Barenberg (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), and
Stuart Duncan (fiddle). ==Awards==