Kenny Ingram. Photo by Ted Lehmann.

In what is best described as a bluegrass version of musical chairs, the Larry Stephenson Band has announced that Kenny Ingram will replace the departing Kristin Scott Benson.

“I am so honored to have Kenny on board,” said Stephenson. “And, there are really no words to express what a great player he is, other than this will be the best addition to the band we’ve ever seen. I’m fortunate to have him and I’m looking forward to a powerful 2009 with solid Kenny Ingram beside me.”

Rhonda Vincent recently announced that Ingram was leaving his long tenured spot in her band. The Grascals’ Aaron McDaris was tapped for the empty slot in Vincent’s The Rage, leaving them with an opening on the five-string. With that move, The Grascals scooped up Kristin Scott Benson who had been with the Larry Stephenson Band.

Other Larry Stephenson Band news

The band is up for several categories at the 2009 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America Awards held in February. Including: “Mandolin Player of the Year” – Larry Stephenson, “Fiddle Player of the Year” – Jason Barie, “Banjo Player of the Year” – Kenny Ingram, and “Song of the Year” – “Press On O’Pilgrim” from the Thankful project on Pinecastle Records.

The Larry Stephenson Band heads out Dec. 31 to mark its first show on New Year’s Day, celebrating the bands’ 20th anniversary year. Stephenson, who had been playing in the business for several years prior, started “The Larry Stephenson Band” in February 1989 before making his move to Nashville. As a little luck and the bluegrass fans would have it, he still is at the helm of this group 20 years later and still making headlines. In honor of the upcoming banner year, the band will have 20 year specials for the fans. They are now in the studio working on an anniversary CD, due out in late Spring 2009. Several guest artists have been lined up for the landmark CD.