Mike Hartgrove Inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame

By superadmin | August 13, 2025

Moe Bandy, Rhonda Vincent, Mike Hartgroves and the man in the suit is the sponsor the banquet. Gus Arrendale owner of Springer Mountian Farm Chicken.. Photograph submitted

Shelbina native, Mike Hartgrove, was induced into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame on July 10, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Born on October 27, 1955, in Shelbina, Missouri, Mike Hartgrove’s musical journey began early—fiddling alongside his father, who played guitar and clawhammer banjo with local Missouri fiddlers. Although he dabbled briefly with the banjo himself, Mike’s passion for the fiddle proved irresistible. That passion was cemented one night at a Vincent family jam session—Rhonda Vincent was just five—when her father Johnny handed young Mike a fiddle and said, “Play that fiddle—we have too many banjo players.”

Growing up, Mike immersed himself in the traditional Missouri fiddle catalog. But his curious and discerning ear soon recognized the diversity of fiddle styles—Appalachian, Texas-style, and notably within Missouri itself: the rhythmic Ozark shuffle and the melodic Little Dixie style of central Missouri. These sounds inspired Mike as he studied masters like Cyril Stinnett, Pete McMahan, Taylor McBaine, Jake Hockemeyer, Cleo Persinger, and tonight’s fellow Hall of Fame member, Lyman Enloe. As his own style took shape, Mike became influenced by the smooth, expressive playing of Kenny Baker and began leaning toward bluegrass.

In 1975, Mike entered the Grand Masters Fiddle Contest at the age of 20. There, he discovered that competition was not only a proving ground but also a powerful motivator to refine and elevate his craft.

Mike moved to Nashville in 1974—originally to help a friend build houses—but fate had other plans. After work, he jammed at iconic venues like Randy Wood’s Old Time Pickin’ Parlor, The Station Inn, and the honky-tonks of Broadway. It was in those circles that he encountered fiddle legends such as Benny Martin, Vassar Clements, Buddy Spicher, and Bobby Hicks—many of whom would go on to become fellow National Fiddlers Hall of Fame inductees.

Mike’s gift for playing for the singer did not go unnoticed in Nashville. His professional career launched when he joined George Jones’s Possum Holler Club on Printer’s Alley in 1977, playing for the country music icon himself. From there, he went on to perform with Moe Bandy, Blue Haze, The Bluegrass Cardinals, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

In 1991, Mike took a bold step with Russell Moore and Ray Deaton to form a new group: III Tyme Out. Joined by mandolinist Alan Bibey and close friend, banjo legend, and 2023 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Terry Baucom, the band hit the ground running. Their clever name, referencing their third go-round with professional bands, paired with a memorable twist in spelling, was soon known across the bluegrass world. Between 1991 and 1995, they released three critically acclaimed albums on Rebel Records.

III Tyme Out earned an unprecedented seven consecutive International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards for Vocal Group of the Year starting in 1994, as well as multiple Male Vocalist of the Year honors for Russell Moore. Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, the band’s vocal prowess and instrumental artistry made them a cornerstone of modern bluegrass.

Today, Mike Hartgrove—affectionately known as “Grove” by his peers—is in his second stint with the award-winning Lonesome River Band. He first joined the group in 2002, toured through 2005, and rejoined in 2008. He continues to tour with them today, captivating audiences with his silky tone, tasteful phrasing, and masterful bowing.

To fellow fiddlers and fans alike, Mike is the embodiment of a “fiddler’s fiddler.” His range, versatility, technical brilliance, and deep musical sensitivity draw admiration from musicians of all levels. Watching him perform is an experience in itself—as he transitions seamlessly from subtle backup to soulful, harmony-rich lead lines that seem to sing.

When not on the road, Grove runs a fiddle repair and setup shop from his home in Albemarle, North Carolina, where he lovingly restores and maintains vintage instruments.