Ross Holmes is an American violinist, fiddler, composer and producer known for his progressive style that is genre fluid, mixing old and new world styles.
Early life
Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, Holmes's family was steeped in music, especially Texas contest fiddling. His Grandfather played the violin and that was Ross’s first introduction to the instrument. At the age of 8, his younger sister started taking fiddle lessons and this quickly peaked Ross’s interest to learn the instrument for himself. Holmes foundational training combined Texas contest fiddle and classical styles taught to him by his mentors, Texas fiddlers Jimmie Don Bates, Joey McKenzie and Dr. Kurt Sprenger of the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra. At the age of 11, Holmes enrolled in the Mark O’Connor string camp which acted as a major catalyst for him to pursue a career in music. Additionally, his background and training as a member of the Texas Boys Choir was Holmes first exposure as a touring musician across the U.S.
formed in 2002 when Holmes met founding members Bryan Simpson, Matt Menefee in Texas. The group’s early years reflected a more traditional bluegrass sound, which evolved to the progressive bluegrass style they were later acclaimed for. The ensemble got a foothold touring regionally around the south. When their progress was interrupted in 2004, Holmes drove overnight to Nashville for an audition with fast-rising country traditionalist, Josh Turner. Holmes earned his first industry experience on the road with the baritone star. Cadillac Sky became active again in 2006 with the group signing to the Skaggs Family label. They released their debut album, Blind Man Walking; which reached number two on the US Grass Billboard Charts. Later on in the winter of 2011 Cadillac Sky disbanded, declaring a hiatus.
In 2010 Holmes musical explorations with Cadillac Sky banjo player Matt Menefee evolved into a duo project called ChessBoxer. The style reflected a movement to the Newgrass sound by combining genres of bluegrass, folk and rock. In 2013 Holmes and Menefee self-released their debut EP ChessBoxer. In 2014, double bassist Royal Masat became a member of ChessBoxer. In 2015, the trio self-released their second recorded work, Apollo EP, while supporting guitarist Warren Haynes on the internationalAshes & Dust Tour.
In 2013 Holmes received a phone call from Bruce Hornsby who expressed interest in working with him. Holmes became a member of Hornsby’s touring band, the Noisemakers, and from 2014-2017 played fiddle and mandolin on tour and on Hornsby's latest studio release, Rehab Reunion. Holmes became indispensable to the new sound of the band but left in 2018 when he was invited to become a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Discography
Cadillac Sky (Band member - Fiddle, Vocals, Writer, and Misc instruments)
Mumford & Sons (Touring member - Fiddle, Misc instruments, Arranger)
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers (Band member - Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals)
ChessBoxer (Band member - Fiddle, Vocals, Writer, and Misc instruments)
