A celebrated figure in the world of bluegrass, Paul Brewster’s life has been a harmonious blend of inherited talent, dedicated craftsmanship, and a deep-seated passion for the genre. Born Paul Anthony Brewster on February 6, 1956, in Knoxville, Tennessee, he inherited the bluegrass gene from his father, Willie G. Brewster, a member of the Brewster Brothers, who played on the Cas Walker Show and the Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round. He learned guitar and harmony by listening to his family and artists like Flatt and Scruggs. Music began as a hobby, fine-tuned at his uncle’s store, ‘Pick ‘n’ Grin,’ the center of Knoxville’s bluegrass scene. His career began with the Dixie Rebels and he was a founding member of The Knoxville Grass in 1976, a contemporary group known for blending styles and using electric bass. With them, he sang lead and tenor vocals and played rhythm guitar.
At age 23, he joined The Osborne Brothers, staying for about 10 years. This was a great learning experience where he deepened his appreciation for country/bluegrass blend and learned to project his voice. His harmony singing complemented their sound and ensured the legacy of “Rocky Top”. After a brief hiatus in Florida starting in 1989, where he worked as a golf professional, he returned to music in Tennessee. In 1992, he joined the Dollywood band “True Blue” and formed Heartland.
In 1995, Ricky Skaggs invited him to join Kentucky Thunder, where he sang harmony vocals (tenor) and played rhythm guitar until 2020. He spent 25 years with Skaggs, contributing his signature harmonies to Grammy Award-winning CDs. Skaggs regards him as one of the best tenor singers in bluegrass. He retired from the road due to physical limitations from battling MS. However, his voice remains active; in 2024, he fronted Daniel Grindstaff’s No. 1 bluegrass hit “Forever Young,” singing with Dolly Parton. He is also a sought-after harmony singer on current country hits by Zach Top.
Brewster is dedicated to mentoring young musicians, preserving bluegrass harmony singing. This includes a Tennessee Folklife Apprenticeship with rising star Wyatt Ellis, whom he teaches lead, tenor, and harmony. He believes bluegrass singing has been left behind and encourages young musicians to sing out.
