Wow! Interesting topic! Mine are below:

1. Doyle Lawson: His musical style affected me greatly in the 80's. It really made me want to return to my first love, the mandolin. His tight harmonies and arrangements also changed my way of making music.

2. Don Williams: I used to wear his tapes out in teh car, playing them and singing along with them. I like the still smoothness in his voice and the simple way he maneuvered his words.

3. Ricky Skaggs: HIs impact on me when I first got interesting in really learning to play music, ultimately paved the way into greater things as a musician and singer.

4. Jim Reeves: Another smoothie, Jim could croon with the best. His vocal style, even smoother than that of Don Williams. Really gave me that smoothness in my voice.

5. DEF LEPPARD: YES I KNOW, CRAAZY AIN"T IT! But it's true! I used to listen to them constantly, their arrangements and tight harmonies, as well as their musicianship influenced me a great deal in the 80's. It is because of them that I was able to keep my "High Lonesome" bluegrass vocals in the high range. From DON to DEF, that is my range today. Really I can't get that low, hehhe.

6. The "Brothers" bands: I am using this slot to represent: The Louvin Bros., The Osborne Bros. as well as, Jim and Jesse McReynolds. Their vocals and writing have influenced me greatly. When I first began singing and pickin' I was singing their songs!

7. My Family: Finally; last but in now wya the least, my parents influenced me tremendously. I come from a "musical" family, my parents have been singing and playing since before I was born. My family has a musical heritage that spans back four generations. There was and is always some music going on in our households. It is that gift of music that God has blessed my family with and I am very thankful for it!

So these are my 7 most influentials, actually more than 7 when you figure up all the family and brother bands and such. But that is the gest of it. Great topic, enjoyed reading everyones.