Randy Kohrs

Producer and country artist Randy Kohrs was born in Iowa, where he picked up the acoustic guitar at the age of eight. His love for stringed instruments began to quickly blossom, as he would eventually learn electric guitar, acoustic and electric Dobro, lap and pedal steel, mandolin, upright bass, and banjo (influenced by the likes of Flatt & Scruggs and Buck Owens). Eventually, Kohrs began backing other artists, including Patty Loveless on a taping of PBS' Austin City Limits, as well as other TV appearances by Tom T. Hall, Holly Dunn, and Hal Ketchum, in addition to session work with Hank Thompson, Walter Hyatt, and Hank Williams III (resulting in Kohrs being nominated two times for Dobro Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association). October of 2001 saw the release of Kohrs' solo debut recording, A Crack in My Armour, on the Junction label. He would guest on three Dolly Parton albums and she would return the favor in 2004 when Kohrs' I'm Torn landed on the Lonesome Day label. Featuring guest vocals from American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle and released by Rural Rhythm Records, Old Photograph followed in 2007. A video for the album's "Who's Goin' with Me" topped the CMT Pure Country playlist, and then an appearance on Rachel Raye's daytime talk show introduced Kohrs to a whole new audience. In 2008 he made his solo artist debut at the Grand Ole Opry and won a Grammy for his contribution to Jim Lauderdale's album The Bluegrass Diaries. In 2009 he released the compilation Hornography on his Left of Center label. The album was dedicated to guitar maker Tim Scheerhorn and featured Kohrs, Jimmy Ross, Rob Ickes, and others, all playing resonator guitars. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi