Music lovers of all generations and genres know the name David Grisman. Jazz fans know Stephane Grappelli and Grisman. Rock fans know Jerry Garcia and Grisman. Folkies know John Sebastian and Grisman, and traditional country fans know Doc Watson and Grisman.

But David Grisman commands the solo spotlight with this lightning quick and deftly supple mastery of the mandolin.

Born in 1945 in New Jersey, he grew up during America’s folk revival. Known for his musical collaborations and innovations, Grisman has led and played in countless bands since the 1960s and continues to pioneer new ground.

It’s not about the commercial flash or the quick download of today’s pop culture, said longtime friend and manager Craig Miller, who also co-founded record label Acoustic Disc with Grisman.

“There’s entertainment, and then there’s music, said Miller. “As listeners mature, they become more interested in quality music.”

Interestingly enough, there was a day when Grisman was steeped into the pop culture playing for the psychedelic rock band Earth Opera and opening for The Doors.

“You know they call him the Paganini of the mandolin,” said Bob Zachary, former Earth Opera road manager who now lives in Weld. “He’s the best I’ve ever heard.”

Zachary noted that Grisman still calls him every year on his birthday to play “Happy Birthday” and improvise on the mandolin over the phone. “He’s a sweetheart,” said Zachary.

In a recent interview, Grisman sheds light on his nickname, his audiences and his preference for concerts over festivals.

1. What is the real story of the name Dawg? And how do you define Dawg music?

Dawg is my nickname, bestowed on me circa 1973 by Jerry Garcia during the Old & in the Way period. We all had nicknames in that band.  I define Dawg music by playing it. It’s the music I write and play with my quintet. The DGBX (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience) plays traditional bluegrass music with maybe a dash of Dawg.

2. Because your range of music is so wide, how would you describe your audiences? (I grew up with “down home music” in Missouri and married a Dead Head. You know, Ricky Skaggs and Bob Weir — very different people. OK, throw in Marty Stuart and maybe not so different.)

I’d say that they are classy people with discerning musical tastes.

3. “Live at Jazz Alley” and “Satisfied” are the most recent releases that I know of. Did I miss anything? Very different moods and styles between the two. What does that say about you?

Check out AcousticOasis.com, our new exclusive download website for about 20 more, including the ‘Extra Large (170-minute) Pizza Tapes;’ ‘Complete Tone Poems;’ ‘Bluegrass Quintet Live in Japan;’ ‘Melody Monsters,’ by Frank’n’Dawg (guitarist Frank Vignola and myself); and the ‘DGQ (David Grisman Quintet) Live at the Count Basie Theater.’ Every day there’s a free download as well. I guess this says that I have my finger in more than one musical pie.

4. How does playing at a festival compare to playing a concert?

Usually unfavorably – just because I like good sounding (and beautiful) concert halls and performing arts centers. Festivals are usually fun, though, and we get to see a lot of friends as well.

5. What is the climate for traditional/ Americana/ bluegrass music today? Where is it thriving? 

It’s thriving with some super talented young musicians. Unfortunately, the media moguls never have embraced good music, of any noncommercial variety. Corporate America doesn’t nurture the great art that is created here.

6. What do you like (or not like) about Maine?

I used to come up to Ogunquit when I was a youngster (early 1950s). I love Maine, the ocean, the seafood and the vibe.

7. Besides an obvious personal loss, how does playing music feel since Jerry died? What are your best memories?

I’ve lost many friends (musical and otherwise) through the years.  Music itself is something that grows deeper and more meaningful in time, regardless of what’s going on in the ‘real world.’  All my memories of Jerry are positive and can’t be quantified.

8. What projects do you have going now?

Too many to enumerate, but a few are Stephane Grappelli Piano Improvisations, archival live and studio projects with John Hartford, Red Allen and the Kentuckians, Del McCoury, Old & in the Way, the Country Gentlemen and others, including some special things with Jerry Garcia.

9. When you play the upcoming bluegrass festival in Maine, will you have your band? What can the crowd expect?

The DGBX (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience) has been together for over several decades now.  The current incarnation features Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals, Keith Little on five-string banjo and vocals, Chad Manning on fiddle, Samson Grisman on bass and, of course, myself on mandolin and vocals. We play hard-core bluegrass classics — traditional repertoire ranging from old murder ballads, fiddle tunes and songs by the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, Don Reno and Red Smiley and many others.

10. A couple of my favorite albums are “Not For Kids Only” and “The Pizza Tapes.” So are you giggly or crotchety?

Both (at different times), just like most folks.

11. I understand that your son will be playing at the festival. How much influence do you and your son have on each other’s music and performances?

Well, Sam grew up playing music with me and my musical friends. His first recording session (on bass) was at the age of 8 on the Retrograss project I did with John Hartford and Mike Seeger. Oddly enough, it was nominated for a Grammy.