Jerry Douglas, Irreplaceable Instrumentalist

Critics and envious dobro players often point to Mr. Douglas's cascading streams of notes and shifting rhythms as his trademark style contribution, but his duet-like playing with Ms. Krauss reveals the subtle, vocal-influenced qualities that are closer to the core of his art and intentions. "I'm a singer at heart," Mr. Douglas admitted during a recent interview in Nashville, "but when I started playing dobro, I stopped singing -- because it took that space in my head. At times I'll feel strongly about hitting a harmony note with Alison's voice, accenting the line, and it gives the illusion of there being a harmony singer."

Mr. Douglas just says: "I never set out to be some famous musician, but the instrument that I play helped me get here, because it's not a guitar that everyone plays. It's a hard instrument, but it fits the way my head works. I'm a minority!"

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