The Seldom Scene came together in 1971 as a casual band that would play occasional bluegrass gigs in Washington, D.C.-area bars, and it was named accordingly. But their plans for impermanence were soon foiled: Within a couple of years they were sweeping awards shows, headlining festivals and playing upscale venues like The Kennedy Center. Founding members John Duffey, John Starling, Mike Auldridge, Ben Eldridge and Tom Gray put the band's brand of progressive 'grass on the map, but the group soldiered on into the '10s, even after most of the original players had left.