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Rhonda Vincent
& The Rage
Rhonda Vincent was raised on bluegrass, first taking the stage with her family's
band the Sally Mountain Show when she was barely five years old. She started learning
mandolin at age eight, which was also when she released her first single - an exhilarating,
driving arrangement of "Mule Skinner Blues" that Vincent still performs. Learning
the nuances of harmony, arrangement, and stage presence by playing with the Sally
Mountain Show throughout her childhood, Vincent grew into a formidable musician
and a radiant, captivating lead singer able to deliver both overpowering up-tempo
numbers and soulful, introspective ballads. Her early bluegrass solo albums led
to a Nashville deal, and the experience of recording her two fine commercial country
efforts taught her essential lessons about the inner workings of the music industry.
Vincent triumphantly returned to bluegrass with her 2000 Rounder debut Back Home
Again. That same year, the bluegrass community welcomed her back with Female Vocalist
of the Year honors at that year's International Bluegrass Music Association awards
- her first of an unprecedented seven consecutive wins in that category. She received
the coveted Entertainer of the Year award from IBMA the following year, concurrent
with the release of her second Rounder album The Storm Still Rages. One Step Ahead
followed in 2003, which included "You Can't Take It With You When You Go," a top-five
video hit on CMT.
All the while, Vincent was refining her supporting group, the Rage. When the lineup
evolved to include guitarist/mandolinist Josh Williams,
fiddler Hunter Berry, bassist
Mickey Harris, and banjo player Kenny Ingram,
Rhonda felt the time was right to document their storming live concerts as both
a CD and DVD. Ragin' Live was released in 2005, and boasted a well-chosen selection
of prior favorites, instrumental and vocal features for members of the Rage, and
several previously unrecorded songs that found Vincent working with a small string
section in a more hushed, evocative style. The album was nominated for a 2005 Best
Bluegrass Album Grammy® award. The reflection and preparation that went into the
creation of Ragin' Live helped set the stage for All American Bluegrass Girl. "I
did intentionally want to make sure that this album had more of a classic sound,"
she says, "since we ventured away from that style a little bit on Ragin' Live. But
I always hope to have a good balance of everything - from in-your-face bluegrass
to softer acoustic country sounds. I approached this album like I do our live performances,
and try to have something for everybody."
Learn more at her website www.rhondavincent.com.
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Nothin' Fancy
Nothin' Fancy was formed as a bluegrass band in September of 1994 with the purpose
of competing in the East Coast Bluegrass Championship in Crimora, Virginia. Since
their auspicious debut, they have grown in popularity, released 6 full length albums
and one CD single, played the Ryman Theatre in Nashville, the Lincoln Center in
New York City, the Birchmere in Alexandria VA, and have their own festival in Buena
Vista, VA which is now in its fifth year. Nothin' Fancy is signed to the North Carolina-based
Pinecastle record label, and with them have released two recordings, "Once Upon
A Road" and "Reflections" as well as a Chris Sexton solo project "Coffee at Midnight."
Mike Andes, lead singer for the group, plays the
mandolin and guitar and writes most of the band's original material. Mike began
playing music at age ten. He was influenced by several family members who played,
including older brother Randy and his uncles, Curtis Jenkins and Ivan Lantz. He
spent time with Jim Orange and the Orange Blossoms, and in 1986, he formed his own
band called East Coast Bluegrass Band. In '94 he became a founding member of Nothin'
Fancy. Mike considers the late Charlie Waller his bluegrass "hero." His mandolin
playing has been influenced by John Duffey, Jimmy Gandreau and Doyle Lawson.
Mitchell Davis is Nothin' Fancy's banjo man. He
also plays guitar and fiddle, which he learned from an uncle, Joe Connor. He fell
in love with the banjo after seeing Earl Scruggs and Don Reno on TV shows. Like
many aspiring banjo players, he started with an Earl Scruggs Banjo Book. Mitchell
is also an alumnus of the East Coast Bluegrass Band, as well as a country band.
Mitchell cites The Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene as his influences, especially
in their selection of songs. Mitchell was the primary producer of the band's three
self-released albums.
Gary Farris is the tenor voice and guitar player
for the group. Like many singers, Gary started singing in church as a young boy.
While attending Rockbridge High School, he honed his musical talents as a member
of the glee club, eventually winning honors as a member of the All State Glee Club.
After completing high school and a tour of duty with the Air Force, he sang in a
local rock band. Unlike his band mates, Gary did not begin playing an instrument
until he was almost 35. He had been injured at his job as a factory worker and was
flat on his back and bored, when his friend, Mitchell Davis, brought him a guitar
and showed him a few chords. Gary recalls: "I just laid in bed and picked." He made
up for the late start by playing in a country band and then with a local bluegrass
band, "South River Boys." Gary won high honors as The Best Male Bluegrass Vocalist
in 1995, 1997, and 1999 at the East Coast Country and Bluegrass Talent Show.
Chris Sexton debuted with the band on fiddle in
1998 at the Maury River Fiddler's Convention, where the band won first prize in
the bluegrass band competition. He appeared as a guest on the band's second and
third self-released albums and joined the band in the summer of 2000. Chris was
introduced to bluegrass by his dad, "Buster" Sexton who played banjo in several
bands in the 70's and early 80's. When Chris was seven, his dad discovered that
his son had the gift of perfect pitch ? eventually making Chris one of the best
bluegrass singers to hardly ever sing. Although his first instrument was a mandolin,
Chris soon focused his energies on the violin. Throughout middle and high school,
he grew as a violinist in symphony orchestras, the all state orchestra, and the
National Youth Apprenticeship Program, while keeping his bluegrass roots. Chris
attended Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, graduating with a Bachelor of
Music in Music Performance. Soon after, he found himself fiddling with the East
Coast Bluegrass Band with his father, and Nothin' Fancy shortly thereafter.
Tony Shorter sets the beat for the band on his S8
Kay upright bass. Tony was introduced to bluegrass music by his dad and uncle's
band. He was a teenager before he really developed an appreciation for the music.
A Gibson mandolin, a high school graduation present from his parents, accompanied
him to Virginia Tech, where as Tony admits, "I may have spent more time pickin'
than studying." He was a charter member of the Virginia Tech Bluegrass Association
and the Blacksburg area was rich in good pickers with lots of jamming. Tony started
to play bass at college when he wasn't switching off on guitar. For a few years
after college, music took a back seat to his career with Farm Credit. He joined
a local jazz group, and ended up playing electric bass in various groups as he puts
it, "from reggae to rock." "At one point I was playing bass with 5 different bands,
which was fun learning to play different styles, as I love most all forms of music
and just couldn't say no, but it was a scheduling nightmare." In '94, he returned
to his roots when he joined Mike, Gary and Mitchell to form Nothin' Fancy.
Learn more at www.nothinfancybluegrass.com.
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 The Bluegrass Strangers
are a favorite every year according to concert goers and are back by popular demand
for the 8th year! The Bluegrass Strangers are one of the most exciting, straight
ahead, traditional bands performing today! They come to Myrtle Beach from
Kentucky and Ohio.
Richard William Webb - Dick Webb formed The Bluegrass
Strangers in 1976. The first band members were Dutch Lykins, Steve Parsons, Bob
Myers and John Myers. Cliff Chapman and Chester Willis joined the band in 1979 replacing
Bob and John Myers. When Cliff left the band in 1980, Jimmy Lykins stepped in to
finish the schedule and has been with the band ever since. Their traditional sounds
are just as popular today as they were 30 years ago. Dick was born in Portsmouth,
Ohio and doesn't have to take a back seat to anyone when it comes to playing straight-ahead
five string banjo. He's also a superb claw-hammering style player, which is also
used in their show. He sings baritone and low tenor in the trios and bass in the
quartet. He lives with his wife, Wendy in Powellsville, Ohio. Wendy also runs sound
for the band. Dick is the proud father of three sons, Richard, Jason and Aaron and
the proud grandfather of Wyatt born February 27, 2006. When he isn't on the road
with the band, he enjoys indian arrow head hunting, deer hunting and fishing. He's
an expert at wood working and always makes time to take care of his baby, the band's
40-foot MCI. Dick doesn't
have to take a backseat to anyone when it comes to playing a traditional five-string
banjo. He also does a fantastic job playing old style claw hammer. Dick
also sings baritone and low tenor in the trios and bass in the quartet. Dick and
Jim's sound system, known as Pine Creek Audio, is a favorite at Bluegrass Festivals.
Jimmy Lykins, from Garrison, Kentucky is lead singer
with songs straight from the heart with soul and feeling like no one else.
He also plays a strong rhythm guitar. Jimmy was born in Petersville,
Lewis County, Kentucky. When it comes to a traditional vocalist, Jimmy is one of
the best. He sings straight from the heart with soul and feeling like no one else.
He also plays a strong rhythm guitar in the band. Jimmy owns and operates The Little
Quincy Opry and is co-owner of the Quincy Grocery Store in Quincy, Kentucky.. He
is the proud father of James, Robert, Jena Faye, Connie and Jennifer. Jimmy also
has seven grandchildren. Jimmy joined The Bluegrass Strangers in 1980. When he's
not on the road with the band, he loves listening to bluegrass and gospel music.
Bryan Wayne Tackett is the newest member of our
band and is usually called Big Bubba by band members. He was born in Lewis County,
Kentucky and makes his home in Quincy, Kentucky with his wife, Rebecca and their
two daughters, McKenzie, 3 and Mackayla, 3 months. Rebecca is an L.P.N. at Hillview
Retirement Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. Bryan's life has always been around music
with his dad, Walt playing guitar and bass and his mother, Vicki playing piano.
His high lonesome soulful bluegrass voice allows for perfect harmony with Jimmy's
traditional sound of bluegrass. When he's not on the road with the band, he's employed
by Adelphia Cable and enjoys hunting and basketball.
Jamie Brooks Shannon is an outstanding mandolin player and shouldn't be overlooked.
His playing is tasteful, exciting and full of energy and also sings lead vocal for
the band. He also plays guitar, banjo and bass. He was recently married to Wendy
Lemaster on his father and stepmother's, Bill and Linda Shannon, farm. Jamie and
Wendy are making their home in Louisa, Kentucky. When he's not on the road with
the band, he works as an owner/operator for Admiral Merchants Motor Freight. Jamie
just finished making his first mandolin.
K. Dean Whitaker is a great asset to the band with
his rock solid timing on the upright bass. He also provides bass and baritone vocals
to the band along with filling in as sound technician at festivals. Dean and his
wife, Pam live in Ashland, Kentucky. They have two sons, Mark and Jason and three
grandchildren. He loves fishing and when he's not on the road with the band, he's
an owner/operator for Admiral Merchants Motor Freight.
Wendy Webb gives fans of The Bluegrass Strangers
a great bluegrass experience with great sound mixing, micing and equalization of
the sounds fans expect. She also runs sounds for numerous bands at numerous festivals
giving all of them the almost sacred sounds of bluegrass on the Behringer soundboard.
Wendy is married to Dick Webb and also plays banjo, guitar and bass. When traveling
she helps drive the bus and helps with setup as part of Pine Creek Audio. When she
isn't on the road with the band, she loves riding 4 wheelers, an avid hunter and
writes poetry for The Strangers Newsletter and The Strangers web site. Her latest
passion is Chun Kuk Do. She just achieved her yellow belt making her closer to the
coveted black belt. Wendy and Dick are the owners of Pine Creek Records and Pine
Creek Entertainment.
Dick Webb and his wife Wendy will also handle the sound for the Ocean Lakes' Premier
Bluegrass Weekend.
Archie Duncan has joined The Strangers as their
backup sound technician. Archie resides in Vanceburg, Kentucky with his wife Gloria.
They are the parents of Serena and Brian and have 2 grandchildren. Archie is a retired
auto mechanic and also plays guitar. When he's not on the road with The Strangers,
he loves playing and listening to bluegrass music and fishing.
See more at www.bluegrass-strangers.com.
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The Grascals
For those who know them, the quick emergence of the group came as no surprise, for
these are musicians whose roots and crossed paths reach back over more than two
decades in bluegrass ensembles like the Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle & Lonesome
Standard Time, the Sidemen and New Tradition. They trace, too, to Nashville's
larger musical community, where the Grascals have been able to draw on legends like
Bobby Osborne, George Jones, the Jordanaires, Lloyd Green, Paul Craft and more for
songs and for performances in the studio and on stage. Thanks to those experiences
and those friendships, The Grascals embody a profound grasp of and familiarity with
country and bluegrass tradition that made them a natural choice for Dolly Parton
to turn to for recording and tour support not long after the group was created.
Terry Eldredge's soulful vocals and easygoing stage
presence have earned him not only the loyalty of bluegrass fans and the appreciation
of fellow bluegrass musicians, but the admiration of a stunningly wide variety of
entertainers who have witnessed him fronting the Sidemen at Nashville's world-famous
Station Inn. The Indiana native began his career with first-hand experience
of the music of an earlier generation of country stars, playing bass with durable
Opry stars Lonzo and Oscar. He joined the Osborne Brothers in 1988, soon switching
to guitar and adding a powerful lead and low tenor voice to the Brothers' legendary
trios. At almost the same time, he and other young Nashville bandmembers created
the Sidemen, establishing a regular Tuesday night gig at the Station Inn that continues
to draw newcomers and stars alike. Eldredge took up the bass again when he
joined Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time at the end of the 1990s, earning
a 2003 IBMA nomination for Bass Player of the Year and contributing mightily to
the ensemble's success with dynamic tenor and lead vocals. During a hiatus
from Lonesome Standard Time, he recorded and performed as a member of Dolly Parton's
Blue-niques. In addition to two solo albums for Pinecastle Records and albums
by the Osborne Brothers, Cordle, Parton and the Sidemen, Terry's recording credits
include appearances on CDs by IBMA Hall of Honor members Benny Martin, Josh Graves
and Chubby Wise, as well as young country star Dierks Bentley.
Few fiddle players have been seen - or heard - by more people than
Jimmy Mattingly, thanks to a widely aired Dr Pepper commercial that featured
him accompanying his long-time employer, country superstar Garth Brooks. A
member of Brooks' band from 1995 until his retirement from the road, Mattingly played
before millions and appeared on three of Brooks' multi-platinum albums - but despite
his success as a country player, his first love has long been bluegrass music.
Raised in Leitchfield, KY, Mattingly played in numerous fiddle contests as a youngster,
culminating in a 1981 U.S. Grand Masters victory, then joined progressive bluegrass
pioneers Spectrum in 1981, remaining with the group until its dissolution in the
middle of the decade. After stints with the Forrester Sisters and Steve Wariner
(with whom he recently recorded), he joined Dolly Parton's band in 1989, recording
and touring with the Country Music Hall of Famer until 1993. It was during
a break in Parton's touring schedule that he joined the Osborne Brothers, where
he became friends with Terry Smith and with Terry Eldredge, who would join him again
in Parton's Blue-niques in 2002 (Jimmy's fiddle playing is featured on her Live
And Well CD and DVD as well as six other Parton albums). His smooth, expressive
style and his facility in both country and bluegrass contexts made him a favorite
fill-in with the Sidemen and a natural for The Grascals.
Shared Indiana roots and a love for the Osborne Brothers' harmonies first sparked
a friendship between Eldredge and Jamie Johnson,
but when the latter moved to Nashville at the end of the 1990s, the two quickly
discovered a vocal blend that rivals bluegrass's greatest sibling harmonies.
Though he helped to found the Wildwood Valley Boys at the beginning of the decade,
Jamie first drew attention to his soaring tenor voice as a member of the Boys From
Indiana, with whom he performed in the mid-1990s. Stints with local bluegrass
and country bands followed before he returned to the Wildwood Valley Boys, making
his recording debut on their I'm A Believer (2000). Following his move to
Nashville, he began to find success as a songwriter - he co-wrote the title cut
of Bobby Osborne's Where I Come From (2002) - and as a singer, making his Opry debut
as a member of Gail Davies' band, joining the Sidemen in 2001, and contributing
leads and harmonies to Bluegrass - The Little Grasscals: Nashville's Superpickers.
He has recorded with alternative country singer Trent Summar (on the Davies-produced
Caught In The Webb), Ricky Van Shelton and hit songwriter Jerry Salley, and has
enjoyed further songwriting success with cuts by The Grascals (including the title
track to Long List of Heartaches), the Lonesome River Band and bluegrass-country
singer/songwriter Ronnie Bowman.
Danny Roberts began playing guitar to back up his
friend Jimmy Mattingly when the two were growing up on adjacent farms in Leitchfield,
KY. Soon he was winning contests on his own as a guitarist and, eventually,
mandolin player. In 1982 he co-founded the New Tradition, a dynamic, ground-breaking
bluegrass/gospel group that toured the country for close to 20 years (the last ten
on a full-time basis), recorded ten CDs, made "Seed Of Love," the first bluegrass
video to feature the banjo - it reached #1 on the TNN channel - appeared on the
Grand Ole Opry, and helped to bring the bluegrass sound and gospel message to a
new generation of fans. When the group dissolved in 2000, Danny went to work
for Gibson Musical Instruments, where he rose to the position of plant manager at
the company's Original Acoustic Instruments luthiery. Still, he kept his hand
in as a musician, giving workshops with mandolin colleagues like Sam Bush, Chris
Thile and Bobby Osborne, making guest appearances with artists such as Marty Raybon,
Larry Cordle and Melonie Cannon, and touring and recording with bluegrass/country
veteran Ronnie Reno as a member of his band, the Reno Tradition, before reuniting
with Mattingly in The Grascals in 2004. His solo recording, Mandolin Orchard,
received extensive airplay and was touted by the Chicago Tribune as one of the Top
10 bluegrass releases of 2004. Roberts was also honored with the 2006 SPBGMA
Award for Mandolin Performer of the Year.
Another veteran of the Osborne Brothers' band, bassist Terry
Smith grew up in North Carolina before moving to Nashville in his early
teens. Beginning in a family band with his brother, Billy, and his parents
- Hazel Smith, Terry's mom, is a songwriter and renowned country music journalist
- he graduated swiftly to stints with bluegrass and country legends Jimmy Martin,
Wilma Lee Cooper and the Osborne Brothers. He also found time to pursue a
separate career with his brother, recording a 1990 album for CBS that generated
an early #1 video on CMT, following it with 1992's Grass Section disc (made with
friends and colleagues like Ronnie McCoury and Glen Duncan) and a 1996 Bill Monroe
Tribute that included some of the Father Of Bluegrass's last recorded appearances.
In 1999, the brothers issued Voices Of The Mountain, with original songs that found
a place in the repertoire of bluegrass favorites like the Del McCoury Band and the
Lonesome River Band. Terry has worked as a staff songwriter for EMI and Major
Bob Music, and recorded with Marty Raybon, Vern Gosdin, IBMA Hall of Honor member
Kenny Baker and more. After a long tour of duty with Grand Ole Opry member
Mike Snider, Terry joined The Grascals in 2004.
Aaron McDaris, who joined the group at the end of
2006, may have a briefer resume than his colleagues—moving from home state Missouri's
Second Exit, he joined Roberts in New Tradition in 1997, then went on to a six year
stint with the Larry Stephenson Band—but his grasp of bluegrass greatness is no
less profound. His playing has rarely been absent from the airwaves over the
past decade, and his "stellar" (Bluegrass Unlimited) solo album, First Time Around
(2005), prompted the Nashville Scene to call him one of the most "under-rated" banjo
players on the circuit. In late 2006, McDaris joined with other young players,
including Jim Van Cleve (Mountain Heart), to form the Mashville Brigade, a new generation
counterpart to the Sidemen that has quickly won acclaim from knowledgeable Music
City fans.
Learn more at www.grascals.com.
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