Barb Diederich

Bluegrass singer, songwriter, bassist

Barb Diederich is a bluegrass singer, a bass player, and a songwriter of extraordinary ability. Now living in the Washington, D.C. area, she was born in Virginia and grew up hearing the sounds of the fiddle and the banjo. Barb has been singing and songwriting all her life, but she took up the bass in her early twenties. (She won't tell how long ago that was!)

Although Barb has played rock, pop, country, and folk, bluegrass is her true love. While living in New England, she played bass with some of the finest bluegrass bands in the region, winning or placing in numerous band contests. Since moving to the D.C. area in 1999, she has established herself as a bass player in high demand for performance and studio work.

As a songwriter, Barb writes from the heart. "All my songs are about real life," she says. "I write about the feelings we all share—love, longing, frustration, regret, grief, humor, anger, joy. My songs tell stories—stories drawn from my own experience that everyone can relate to." Her first solo CD, Sooner or Later, showcases thirteen of her original songs. It also features the stellar musicianship of D.C. area musicians Tom McLaughlin, Randy Barrett, Akira Otsuka, Tad Marks, and the legendary Mike Auldridge.

In addition to being a musician, Barb maintains a Web site, Barb Diederich's Bluegrass Links and Lyrics, which is considered one of the world's best bluegrass-related sites.

What People Are Saying

Kip Martin, former bass player for Jimmy Martin:: "A solid bassist with a good work ethic. She plays well, sings, and knows just about every song ever recorded... She's a good friend and I have high regard for her and her playing."
Howard Parker:: "... I discovered Barb's talent as a songwriter. I'm always in awe of a person putting stories of life to music... Barb shares her stories of love—new, jilted, unrequited and comfortable... My, my, that girl can sing."
Bob Perilla of Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass:: "A talented and beautiful woman."

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Barb Diederich Bio / Maintained by Barb Diederich / barb@barbdiederich.com

Last updated June 22, 2012.

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