A quartet of bluegrass musicians known as the Brasher Brothers whose music is steeped in history right in the heart of Leeds were inducted into the Second Annual Alabama Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame last Friday at the Bessemer Civic Center.

The Brasher Brothers were raised in a community over the mountain called Dike’s Mill near the town of Vandiver. Willie Earl was the oldest and he primarily played the bass. Benjamin Clifford was second in line taking up the fiddle. The third brother, Kenneth, known as “ Duel,” made his choice the banjo and the youngest Reginald “Roland” picked the guitar.

The group originated the “Town and Country Jamboree” which incorporated a mix of country and gospel music. They played many a Saturday night at the old theatre building in downtown Leeds.

While in Leeds, they hosted acts from all over the nation and showcased a number of well-known musicians.

The Brothers are also known for a festival they hosted for over 20 years in Vandiver at the community center and at home. One of the festivals actually helped raise funds for the Vandiver Volunteer Fire Department.

Three of the well-known brothers have since passed on. However, Roland, the youngest of the four, was honored to accept the induction to the Hall of Fame on behalf of his family Friday night.

He joined a group of Alabama Bluegrass legends and inductees including Herb Trotman, a banjo picker and owner of “Fretted Instruments of Birmingham” in Homewood; Ginger Boatwright, a fixture on the national bluegrass scene; Cullman’s son and leader of the Warrior River Boys David Davis and the late Garry Thurmond formerly of the Warrior River Boys known for his high lonesome sound. Members of the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association chose those inducted.

The group accompanied  Hall of Fame greats including Charlie Louvin, Three on a String, Jake Landers, Claire Lynch and Leeds own Jerry and Mae Hinton.

Mae, along with her husband the late Jerry Hinton, are known for their love of all things bluegrass and were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. Jerry had lost his battle with cancer just a few weeks before the induction ceremony last year.

Mae now serves as the ABMA’s secretary and treasurer. On Friday night, she presented the AMBA Volunteer of the Year Award to BamaGrass Editor Brent Warren.

The night was filled with a number of performances including Log Cabin Bluegrass with Roland Brasher, Claire Lynch with Three on a String, Herb Trotman and friends and Ginger Boatwright with the Whites. The night ended with an all-star finale and a warming rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

The events wrapped up on Saturday after 18 bands performed in a “Showcase of Bands.”

To find out more about the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association visit alabamabluegrassmusic.org.