Byron Berline grew up with a fiddle in his hand, and it took him all over the world as a member of various touring groups. Now a three-time National Fiddle Champion, Berline has been touted as “one of the most inventive fiddlers ever…..” His skill, versatility and artistry continue to be recognized by his peers, the press and audiences worldwide. Berline turned to a musical career after earning his bachelor's degree in physical education. His father, Lue, was also a bluegrass fiddler and Byron began playing the fiddle at age five. Later, Berline studied music at the University of Oklahoma and it was there that he formed his first band.
He joined the Dillards after a spell with Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys, and followed Doug Dillard when he teamed up with Gene Clark in 1968 to form Dillard & Clark (1969-1970), Dillard Expedition (1970-71), Country Gazette (1971-75), Sundance (1975-1985), Berline, Crary, Hickman (1978-1990), L.A.Fiddle Band (1979-1993), California (1990-96) and Byron Berline Band, 1996 to present. Berline's witty, charming personality is evidenced in his music. He is a much sought-after session man and has a long list of recording credits including The Band, The Byrds, Eagles, Rolling Stones, Manhattan Transfer, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Alabama, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joe Diffie, Mickey Gilley, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Emmylou Harris and many others including fellow inductee Vince Gill. He has also performed with numerous symphony orchestras. He has extensive movie and commercial sound track credits, which include work with Henry Mancini, Jerry Fielding, Johnny Williams and Lalo Schifrin.
Berline has appeared in "Star Trek," "Blaze," Back to the Future III" and "Basic Instinct." He has toured extensively in the United States and has also appeared in Europe, China, Japan, Australia, Northern Africa and the South Pacific. In 1995, he released the highly acclaimed, two-time Grammy nominated album, "Fiddle & A Song." In 1997, Berline produced the CD, "Live at the Music Hall," and most recently, "One-Eyed Jack." Berline lived and worked in Los Angeles for 26 years before returning to his home state of Oklahoma. He owns and operates The Double Stop Fiddle Shop and Concert Hall in the historic town of Guthrie, where he has hosted Oklahoma's International Bluegrass Festival for the past several years. The annual event is Berline's brainchild and is highly regarded as one of Oklahoma's premier annual musical events.