Harold Austin

b. Harold Eugene Austin, 3 August 1944, Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA. Austin grew up in Kentucky and, inspired by the singing of Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt, he went on to become one of the most respected high tenors of bluegrass music. Initially, he had no intention of a full-time musical career and studied for the ministry. In 1972, he was working at a church in Walton, Kentucky, when, after winning a singing contest, he became a member of Carl Story’s Rambling Mountaineers. He recorded albums with Story and his song ‘Mother’s Last Words’ featured as the title track of an Atteiram release. In 1975, he recorded a solo album for that label and also formed his band, First National Bluegrass, with whom he recorded further albums. He remained active with his band throughout the 70s and 80s, mainly playing Kentucky venues. In the early 90s he again worked with Story, but later re-formed his own band when he became a minister at Dunnville, Kentucky, where he also worked in conjunction with another bluegrass group, the Sullivans.