Bluegrass guitarist and mandolin player. Originally from Paducah, Kentucky. His first professional opportunity was with Richmond, Virginia's Heights of Grass, working two stints: once from 1977-1978, and again in the early 1980s, with the two stints split by a period with the Knoxville Grass. Newton left and helped form The Virginia Squires in the mid-1980s. He later joined Bill Emerson from about 1993-1997. He has additionally toured with The Tony Rice Unit, The Seldom Scene, and several bands of his own.