Steve Dilling – Carolina-Awesome Banjo Player

Steve Dilling began playing banjo at age 12, taking up bluegrass music at an early age through bands such as Bass Mountain Boys, Lonesome River Band and Russell Moore’s IIIrd Tyme Out before finally landing with Russell Moore for two decades as part of IIIrd Tyme Out.

Recent complications related to diabetes have rendered Steve’s vision impaired, making it hard for him to see clearly. Therefore, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to raise funds for corrective lenses.

Early Life and Education

Steve Dilling plays banjo as though he were born into an incubator with Earl Scruggs and Tony Rice hanging above in their cribs. At 10, Steve began learning banjo, quickly making an impression in various bands such as Bass Mountain Boys in the mid ’80s, Sammy Shelor’s Lonesome River Band in 1992, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (1993-2011), where his Carolina-awesome playing and humorous emceeing earned him recognition.

Since diabetes induced macular ischemi, where your vision becomes clouded due to closed blood vessels, he’s been fighting hard to preserve his eyesight. Recently he spoke at Rudyfest about his struggles and hopes that more people would get tested to protect their sight from being lost forever.

Professional Career

Dilling was born into a family of bluegrass enthusiasts. By age 10, he discovered banjo playing, becoming hooked by age 12; first with Bass Mountain Boys then Lonesome River Band before eventually joining IIIrd Tyme Out early ’90s where he remains today.

Dilling is well known for his Carolina-awesome banjo playing and engaging emcee work, and Sideline allows him to showcase these talents. One of Dilling’s colleagues – Northern Kentucky attorney and IBMA at-large board member Steve Martin from Northern Kentucky – notes that Dilling delivers maximum banjo tone every time.

Dilling has recently experienced health challenges that have significantly restricted his tour schedule and activities. He was diagnosed with macular ischemia, a condition wherein reduced blood flow to retinas causes blurry vision.

Achievement and Honors

Steve Dilling has been playing banjo since age 12 and founding his own band at 19. Throughout that time he has performed with some of the most legendary bluegrass acts such as Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out who he spent over 21 years touring with.

In 2013, Dilling announced his plans to retire from IIIrd Tyme Out and formed Sideline with his son-in-law Skip Cherryholmes (guitarist with Lou Reid and Carolina), Jason Moore (bassist with Mountain Heart), and Darrell Webb (mandolin, lead vocals).

Sideline has earned praise from both fans and peers, who consider them one of the premier bands on the circuit. Their sound is energetic, inventive and captivating – perfect for making dance floors rock!

Personal Life

Dilling began playing banjo at age 10, and has experienced incredible success and respect since. He has played with numerous bands – North Carolina’s Bass Mountain Boys among them – as well as touring for over 20 years with Russell Moore’s IIIrd Tyme Out band.

Recently, Dilling has experienced health issues that are making his work increasingly challenging. He suffers from Macular Ischemia – a condition which restricts blood flow to the retina, leading to blurred vision.

Dilling has found an effective solution to his health challenges by joining Sideline, a band formed in 2012. Comprised of veteran musicians like Steve Dilling, Skip Cherryholmes and Jason Moore – Sideline offers the perfect balance of musical expression for Dilling’s interests.

Net Worth

Skip Dilling and his wife Stephanie are raising their second daughter Molly together. They live in Raleigh, North Carolina along with bass player Edgar Loudermilk of their band.

Recently, Dilling was diagnosed with Macular Ischemia – a disease in which blood flow to the retina decreases due to small vessels closing off; as a result, his vision has blurred considerably and caused him to quit driving altogether.

Sideline, his new band, draws its inspiration from various genres of music. Journey, Rhonda Vincent & the Dixie Chicks and other progressive bluegrass groups serve as influences.