Long-running bluegrass duo the Williamson Brothers are an old-timey country act featuring siblings Tony and Gary Williamson. Raised in Piedmont, North Carolina, Tony and Gary were born into a family with a long woodworking and musical tradition. Inspired by their grandfather Alfred, a noted instrument builder and musician, the siblings began playing music in 1957. They quickly grew adept at traditional bluegrass, and by their teens were playing shows and recording. In 1969, the Williamson Brothers took first place at the World's Championship Old-Time Fiddlers Convention in Union Grove, North Carolina. After earning his degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Tony embarked on a successful solo career as an in-demand mandolin player, racking up credits with such luminaries as Alison Krauss, Chris Thile, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Tony Rice, Vassar Clements, David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, and many others. While the brothers have carved their individual careers, they continue to perform and record together. Sometimes billed as Tony Gary Williamson and sometimes as the Williamson Brothers, they have released a handful of albums including My Rocky River Home (1999), the gospel-themed Let Us Cross Over the River (2000), and Bluegrass! (2013), which also featured Craig Smith on banjo. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi