A native Texan, Ross Holmes is one of the most recognized musicians and creators of his generation. A founding member of ground-breaking acoustic band, Cadillac Sky, Holmes established his reputation as a multi-genre player as the band became recognized for their crossover recordings and energetic live performances.
After Cadillac Sky went on indefinite hiatus in 2010, Holmes joined British folk rockers Mumford & Sons as the band grew to international fame. In addition to world-wide performances over several years, Holmes was the string arranger and fiddler on Mumford’s second album “Babel,” which was awarded a Grammy for Album of the Year in 2013.
As Mumford & Sons began a year sabbatical in 2014, Holmes received an invitation from Bruce Hornsby to join his band, The Noisemaker’s, on fiddle and mandolin. Holmes spent four years touring and recording with the storied pianist before leaving in 2018 to become the youngest member of iconic Americana music pioneers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
In addition to maintaining a consistent touring schedule with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Holmes tours extensively with multiple other artists, including Tyler Childers, Warren Haynes, Jamestown Revival, and Ryan Bingham, in addition to countless other artists in genres ranging from bluegrass and jazz to classical and rock.
When not traveling for performances, Holmes is a fixture in the Nashville recording scene and has contributed to performances and arrangements on over 500 albums.
In late 2018, Holmes released his debut album, “Not Very Good at Winning,” a collection of 12 Texas contest-style fiddles tunes which were recorded unaccompanied and in 360º sound. The year 2020 brought the release of “Overture,” a solo violin arrangement of themes from “The American Fiddle Suite,” a 13-movement work for fiddle and orchestra composed by Holmes and renowned contemporary composer, Aaron Malone. Rolling Stone said of “Overture” and Holmes’ performance, “…what Holmes does with his instrument is remarkable. He’s Eddie Van Halen with a bow.”
