Spring Festival Line-Up
March 6, 7, 8, 2025
Playing music is the easy part,” says Russell Moore with an ever-so-slightly rueful laugh as he looks back on more than thirty years of doing what he grew up wanting to do. “By the time we put this band together”—he’s talking about IIIrd Tyme Out, his musical vehicle for over twenty-five years now—“I was realistic enough to know that bands come and go. Being able to stay together is the hurdle that everyone faces. So I didn’t have a preconceived notion that someday I’d be celebrating twenty-five years with IIIrd Tyme Out—but I did feel like I would be playing music for the rest of my life.”
As it turns out, while many bands have come and gone since that May in 1991, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out have endured. In the process, they’ve managed to climb to the top not just once, but twice—winning a slew of IBMA vocal awards, including two Male Vocalist of the Year honors, in the mid and late 1990s, then persevering through rough times to see Moore recapturing the Male Vocalist trophy for the three more years. Along the way, they’ve made a whole new generation of fans, and with the release of Timeless Hits From The Past… BLUEGRASSED by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and their latest self-produced album, It’s About Time, the quintet are poised to deliver their distinctive kind of music more widely than ever.
For Moore, it’s been a long journey from his childhood Texas home. Raised in Pasadena, near Houston, he heard a lot of country music growing up—“I was five miles from Gilley’s right during the Urban Cowboy craze,” he notes—but it was bluegrass that really turned his head as he moved into his teen years. “Bluegrass was accessible,” he recalls. “The bands, the musicians, they were so approachable—and even though we weren’t in the bluegrass mainstream geographically, I was able to see artists like Bill Monroe, Larry Sparks and the Lewis Family, and you could just be around them. That was intriguing to me.”
Within a few years, Russell was playing mandolin in a regional band, and by the time he was in his early 20s, he had teamed up with a couple of like-minded youngsters to create Southern Connection, making the move to North Carolina to pursue bluegrass success—though it turned out that when he first found it, it was as a guitar-playing sideman. Joining Bluegrass Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson and his legendary band, Quicksilver, Moore quickly found himself in the bluegrass forefront, remaining there with Lawson through six years and as many bluegrass and bluegrass gospel albums. And though his tenure with Quicksilver barely overlapped the establishment of the IBMA’s awards, Moore shared in the first of many to come when the group took home the Song Of The Year crystal in 1990 for “The Little Mountain Church House.”
Still, a desire to make his own mark impelled Russell, along with bandmates Mike Hartgrove and Ray Deaton, to take the bold step of creating their own group in 1991. Naming themselves IIIrd Tyme Out—a reference to the number of professional bands they’d already been in, complete with a memorable twist on spelling—the group hit the ground running, releasing three well- received albums on the venerable Rebel Records label in just four years. “We weren’t immune from the same things that any other band starting up has to endure,” Moore recalls. “You have to prove yourself—you have to let people know that you’re sincere, and that you’re going to work hard. But once we were able to get enough show dates that we didn’t have to have day jobs, we felt pretty good that as long as we continued to work hard, put the music out that we knew we were capable of, be personable and humble and appreciative—we felt that we could continue on if we chose to.”
And continue on they did. In 1994, they earned the first of an unsurpassed seven consecutive IBMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year, along with Russell’s first Male Vocalist of the Year title. For the remainder of the decade and into the new century, IIIrd Tyme Out was among the most important acts in the field, earning acclaim for the compelling artistry—especially vocal—they brought both to a string of well-received albums and to stages across the United States. Yet all was not well within the group, and in the early part of the new century, partnership tensions and personnel instability came to a head—and with them, the very real possibility of an end to the group.
It was at that point that Russell Moore stepped up. “I was stubborn,” he says with a smile. “I knew there was a lot that could be done with this group, and I was stubborn enough to say, I have put too much into this to let it just get away. So when everything came down to it, I knew that it was time. I could have started something brand new, but I would have had to give up everything that we had worked for. So I decided to stick it out. I kept hoping that everyone would start pulling in the same direction—and I kept praying, too.”
With Moore in charge—and with his name now in front, recognizing both his new leadership role and the group’s single biggest musical focus—IIIrd Tyme Out began to rebuild. Signing with Rural Rhythm Records in 2007, the quintet solidified a new lineup, and the 2009 release of Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, with its hit single, “Hard Rock Mountain Prison,” paved the way for Moore to take another Male Vocalist honor in 2010. Prime Tyme and its irresistibly catchy “Pretty Little Girl From Galax” followed in 2011, as did another Male Vocalist trophy, and Moore was called to the stage yet again at 2012’s IBMA awards to accept still further recognition of his preeminence as a singer.
Yet IIIrd Tyme Out is hardly a one-man show, even with a frontman as spectacular as Moore. Wayne Benson, who joined the band over 20 years ago—just in time for the aptly titled Grandpa’s Mandolin—and stayed for nearly a decade before taking a job with the John Cowan Band, returned in 2007; his tasteful, influential approach to the mandolin is a focal point of the group’s instrumental prowess even as he continues to contribute in the vocal department. Keith McKinnon, who served memorable stints with his brother Kevin in singer Carrie Hassler’s band and in their own Still-House, holds down the banjo slot, Dustin Pyrtle, a six-year member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and a self-proclaimed Russell Moore fan, is the bass player, and Nathan Aldridge, the youngest member of the band and formerly with Sideline is the fiddle player. All men also contribute to the group’s award-winning harmonies.
The quintet’s Cracker Barrel Old Country Store release, Timeless Hits From The Past…BLUEGRASSED, made Billboard’s Top 5 Best-Selling Bluegrass Albums of 2013. The success of that album, released separately from an established bluegrass record label, gave Moore the idea to release the band’s next album on his own. So he started Break A String Records and released their latest album, It’s About Tyme in September 2015. Recorded at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studio in Nashville, TN, the album has been a record-breaking, career milestone for Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out. To date, it’s produced three #1 Hits; “Brown County Red,” “CottonTown,” and the Moore original, “I’m Leaving You And Fort Worth Too.” And the album debuted at #2 on the National Bluegrass Survey’s Top 15 Albums chart in November 2015 then climbed to #1 in December 2015 where it lived for SIX consecutive months – a first for the band. The success of It’s About Tyme has resulted in a 2016 IBMA Nomination for Album of the Year.
Add it all up, and the future is looking very bright for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. Indeed, if one measure of success is the degree to which younger and newer musicians look to a group for inspiration, then IIIrd Tyme Out is about as successful as a bluegrass group can be, for a whole generation of young pickers and singers can be heard across the country trying their hand at IIIrd Tyme Out classics. “It’s one of the greatest compliments you could ever have,” Moore acknowledges. “It’s humbling to know that they think that much of what we’re doing—and sometimes it makes you think wow, we really are making a difference. People are taking notice.
“All the awards, all the recognition, those things are just by-products of doing what we love to do —and of having everybody pulling in the same direction. So to get them is a little overwhelming, sometimes. But when you know that somebody else out there is getting something from you because of your music, well, that’s the thing about music that got me into it—just the love of the music, and the way it made me feel. It always has been therapeutic, and it still is—and you can’t ask for more than that.”
Sylamore Special – Based in Mountain View, Arkansas, this energetic and virtuosic five-piece bluegrass band has been nominated for three Arkansas Country Music Awards, winning Bluegrass Artist of the Year and Inspirational Artist of the Year in 2024. They also won the SPBGMA Band Contest In 2024. They have performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival two years in a row. The band consists of siblings Mary Parker (fiddle and vocals) and Gordon Parker (mandolin), Turner Atwell (guitar and vocals), LillyAnne McCool (banjo), and her mother Crystal McCool (upright bass). LillyAnne McCool comes from a family of bluegrass pickers. Her dad is a banjo and guitar player, her mom is a bassist, and her brother plays the mandolin. Growing up, she participated in Music Roots, a public school program in Stone County, Arkansas, that offers free instruments and lessons to students starting from fourth grade. If students are interested in continuing, they can learn how to play in an ensemble. That’s where LillyAnne first met Mary Parker. Although Mary’s parents aren’t musicians, she was inspired at an early age by her dad’s love of country and bluegrass music. When Mary was five, she saw someone playing the fiddle on a local television station, and she was immediately hooked. Her dad took her to Mountain View, where she began to take private lessons. Today, both LillyAnne and Mary are award-winning musicians, and they’re committed to keeping the musical traditions of the Ozarks alive. Turner is 21 years old and has been playing guitar since moving to Mountain View and joining the Music Roots Program in 2017. He has been playing with Sylamore Special since 2021. He patterns his playing after his bluegrass hero, Tony Rice. Not only is he excelling in his musical abilities; he also earned his Welding certificate at Ozarka Technical College shortly after graduating high-school and is currently enrolled in Ozarka’s Plumbing, Construction, Electrical & HVAC training. Gordon is the youngest member of the band. When he’s not playing music, he’s enjoying his new hobby – bull riding. The bass-playing Mom of the group is Crystal McCool. She teaches music at Mountain View Elementary School and has been an instructor in the Music Roots Program. Although the band primarily plays bluegrass music, they also enjoy playing other genres, such as old-time and country. “I like to explore different things and bring different stuff to the table,” Mary said. “It keeps it entertaining and good for the audience too.” In addition to performing, several members of Sylamore Special enjoy writing songs. And are inspired by the places they’ve been or something they’ve seen or felt first hand. Sylamore Special’s first single, “This Old Barn,” written by Mary Parker, was released in 2022. Their self-titled first album was released in 2023. Sylamore Special came together almost by accident. In 2021, Mary decided to put together a band to compete in a competition at Silver Dollar City called the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest. That summer, she and a few friends started to practice for the competition. A month later, they won first place. “We didn’t think we were actually going to be an official band,” Mary says. They had so much fun playing together that they decided to continue. In the years since, they’ve played at a number of venues in the Ozarks and around the country.
Friday & Saturday
“Lincoln Hensley is fast making a name for himself as a Sonny Osborne protégé and a snappy dresser. He takes the music seriously without taking himself too seriously and his playing just makes you smile.”-Banjo Newsletter 2021
Lincoln Hensley is a devout enthusiast of the Earl Scruggs and Sonny Osborne style of banjo playing and was honored to visit and study under the mentorship of Sonny on a regular basis for over six years. He also was in a partnership with Sonny in their own banjo company, KRAKO banjos, and he plays their first production banjo “KRAKO #1” regularly on the TNBGB’s personal appearances and studio recordings. Lincoln has played the Grand Ole Opry on several occasions with the late Bobby Osborne and his band, The Rocky Top X-press, and has worked with and filled in with numerous touring bands in the past few years. Lincoln is endorsed by GHS Strings and Recording King Musical Instruments.
Tim Laughlin grew up in Bristol, Virginia on the historical Crooked Road Highway. He has become a sought-after sideman in the bluegrass music industry, and has performed with musicians such as Larry Sparks, the McPeak Brothers, the Lynn Morris Band, Jeanette Williams, Dale Ann Bradley, Marty Raybon, and most recently, Big Country, which recently had three number 1 songs on the national charts. Tim has made his home in Bluff City, Tennessee for the past twenty years, and enjoys making music with his friends and working on instruments when he’s not on the road performing. Tim brings his solid harmony vocals and creative mandolin playing to the Tennessee Bluegrass Band.
From eastern North Carolina, our guitar player and lead singer is the youngest of the two Sheffield brothers, Mr. Jacob Sheffield. He is 17 years old and one of the finest lead and tenor voices in the music today. He and his brother Josiah really round out the group with their pure “brother harmony.” Jacob is an accomplished musician on several instruments and can sing most any part.
Jacob began learning violin when he was eight years old. He has always been someone who loves music and has a passion for bluegrass. After playing the violin for two years, he picked up the mandolin; and soon after the guitar, self-taught on both instruments. Some of his biggest influences include Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, and Ricky Skaggs.
From a young age, Jacob found himself singing in church and with his family. With his grandparents, he frequented Bluegrass jams in the area, where he grew in his skills as both an instrumentalist and vocalist. In 2018, he began taking lessons with his brother, Josiah, from Jan Johansson of Cary, North Carolina. There the band Bull Run was formed. Jacob played the mandolin and sang the high tenor part. Bull Run won first place in band at the Abingdon Fiddlers Convention in 2022 and 2024. He is thankful to be a part of this talented group of guys and he gives God the glory for his musical gift.
From Eastern Carolina, Josiah Sheffield first started picking guitar with his brother Jacob on the mandolin. They learned much of their authentic bluegrass style from their teacher Jan Johansson in Raleigh, NC. The Sheffield brothers played in the band Bull Run, which won the first place band at the first Abingdon Fiddlers Convention in 2022 and 2024. Josiah has won several awards in banjo at various competitions and conventions. He picked up the bass while jamming with other pickers. Josiah currently attends Patrick Henry College where he is majoring in Economics and Business Analytics. He and his brother, Jacob Sheffield, sing some of the absolute purest family harmony you’ll will ever hear. He is a rock solid bass man, and pulls a great tone out of his old blonde 1953 Kay upright bass.
Michael is a one of the greatest Bluegrass fiddlers our music has to offer. He has toured with the Father of Bluegrass music, Mr. Bill Monroe, Larry Sparks, Melvin Goins, Country legend Jerry Reed, and many more. He knows how to play the real, honest to goodness, bluegrass fiddle we all know and love. He’s twin fiddled with folks like Bobby Hicks, and Buddy Spicher. He was featured as fiddler on Bill Monroe’s legendary, “Southern Flavor” album. Michael brings a lifetime of experience and talent to the band, playing fiddle tunes and backing up vocals the way only he can. Michael also sings bass vocal on the quartet numbers. He is also a great songwriter, with a #1 song under his belt!
A true gentleman, Michael proudly represents bluegrass music at its finest.
Thursday & Friday
His ability to paint mental pictures has been compared to Raymond Carver, Flannery O’Connor, and even Norman Rockwell. His laid back, conversational singing style has been likened to Don Williams, Guy Clark, and John Denver. So, when the easy softness of this southern baritone delivers these lyrical short stories, it’s no wonder that both his peers and journalists alike call Daryl Mosley a “songwriter’s songwriter.”
Daryl writes and sings about life as he knows it: small towns, rural churches, salt-of-the-earth people, family, and faith. He leans heavily on songs about the victories and challenges of everyday people because these are HIS people. For over three decades, the combination of these exquisitely crafted songs along with his understated delivery and gentle personality has been engaging music lovers in a way that few artists can.
Mosley still resides in his hometown of Waverly, Tennessee – the small, Mayberryesque hamlet just west of Nashville where he grew up. The experiences of life, work, faith, and love that resonate so strongly in this community are the very foundation of his songwriting. And when he sings those songs, the characters and scenes come alive as if they were sitting on the front porch with you. Music legends from Tom T. Hall and Ronnie Milsap to Bill Gaither and Dave Loggins have praised both Mosley’s singing prowess and his gifts as a songwriter. Mosley’s songsmith abilities have led to him being honored three times as the industry’s Songwriter of the Year, thirteen #1 songs, and three Song of the Year awards. Other artists who have recorded his songs include – Lynn Anderson, Bobby Osborne, High Road, the Booth Brothers, and The Grascals. Songwriting legend Jerry Salley says Mosley is “easily one of the finest songwriters in our business.”
Throughout the 1990s, Mosley toured as the lead vocalist with the much-celebrated Bluegrass group New Tradition. In 2001, he joined the legendary Osborne Brothers. In 2010, he formed the band The Farm Hands who quickly became one of the most awarded acts in Bluegrass. Yet, the common thread throughout his career has been the union of Mosley’s picturesque songs and his easy vocal delivery. This marriage has taken him to the pinnacle of musical stages and venues ranging from the Grand Ole Opry to the legendary Bluebird Cafe to even West Point Military Academy.
In 2020, Mosley stepped more directly into the spotlight with the release of his first solo project for Pinecastle Records -‘The Secret Of Life.’ It was a collection of eleven songs written or co-written by Mosley that were both plain spoken and lyrically clever. The album reached #1 on the Roots Music Report as did the first single, “A Few Years Ago” and the spiritual “Do What The Good Book Says.” Critically acclaimed by both the media and industry peers, The Secret Of Life was praised by American Songwriter, SiriusXM, Bluegrass Today, Country Music People, Bluegrass Unlimited, MusicRow, Country Standard Time, No Depression, and more.
The November 2021 release of Mosley’s ‘Small Town Dreamer‘ album featured a dozen original songs including three that reached the #1 spot on the charts; the nostalgic “Transistor Radio,” the heart tugging “Mama’s Bible” and the spiritual “He’s With Me” that hit #1 on Cashbox Magazine’s chart. The album was listed by journalist Donald Teplyske as one of the Best of 2021 in Country Standard Time Magazine.
In July of 2023, Daryl released his third solo album, ‘A Life Well Lived.’ The acclaimed album reached the top of the album charts as well as garnering three #1 songs: “Mayberry State of Mind” (along with the hit music video), as well as gospel chart toppers “The Bible In The Drawer” and “Big God”.
In May of 2024, Mosley released “When The Good Old Days Were New,” the lead single from his upcoming album. The project is his fourth for Pinecastle Records and is due out in September.
Whether you hear Daryl on the radio, on television, or on the humblest or most renowned of concert stages, the warmth and sincerity remain constant. You always get a straightforward approach to songs that tout old school values, faith, slowing down, and appreciating the things in life that truly matter. It’s comfortable. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thursday Only
Shelton & Williams: The band’s material is a variety of styles including original, classic country, gospel, blues, traditional and progressive bluegrass and Americana. All members are songwriters and seasoned vocalists. Their first project as Shelton & Williams, “So Much Time, So Much Love” released in July 2022. They released two new singles in spring 2024 on Turnberry Records and the full CD will release September 4th. Jeanette Williams (Danville VA) – Jeanette has become one of the most successful and celebrated women in bluegrass music. Her list of awards, accolades, and career highlights continues to grow, as does her adoring fan base from coast to coast, and internationally, with her powerful songs, angelic voice and warm, sincere personality. Touring, recording and industry awards have become a mainstay for Jeanette. She also plays bass with the band. With more than seventeen SPBGMA nominations thru 2021, and three wins for Female Vocalist of the Year (2009, 2012 and 2013), two IBMA awards (2006 and 2009 Recorded Event of the Year, with the Daughters Of Bluegrass) two songwriting awards (2007 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, 2008 IAMA Songwriting Contest) and over thirty-four years of performance experience in Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel, Jeanette is expanding her repertoire to include her early influences of Classic Country, Blues, Roots, and Rock n’ Roll. Jay Shelton (Danville VA) – Jay was on the bluegrass scene in the 70’s & 80’s as a lead singer and lead guitarist. He changed direction and became the front man for a rock band for many years. Afterwards he became a singer songwriter performing solo concerts. In 2019 he returned to the bluegrass scene. An accomplished lead guitarist, songwriter and vocalist he recorded his first project “Home” (including Jeanette & Johnny Williams) this past year. Johnny Williams (Danville VA), plays guitar, shares vocals and writes most of the band’s original material. An award winning singer and songwriter, he has been named Virginia State Champion Male Vocalist, PICABO Male Vocalist (twice), and PICABO Songwriter of the Year. He was the bluegrass division winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest in 1998 & 1999. He has also been a finalist for the SPBGMA Male Vocalist and Songwriter the past few years in Nashville TN. Recently Johnny and his wife Jeanette were awarded “Lifetime Achievement Awards” by the city of Danville VA for their contributions to bluegrass music for the past thirty years both nationally and internationally.
Thursday & Friday
Joe Mullins is a celebrated banjo player and radio broadcaster who has seamlessly combined his two passions for over 40 years. Leading his band, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, since 2006, they have graced stages worldwide, produced 12 acclaimed albums, and earned the title of Entertainers of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019. The Radio Ramblers are Jason Barie – fiddle, Adam McIntosh – Guitar, Zach Collier – bass, and Chris Davis – mandolin.
Joe and The Radio Ramblers are chart-toppers in bluegrass and gospel music and have been regular performers on the Grand Ole Opry since 2013. As an award-winning broadcaster, Joe’s voice reaches a global audience through Real Roots Radio, and he hosts the syndicated radio program Front Porch Fellowship, which airs on over 170 stations.
In addition to his broadcasting accolades, Joe produced the IBMA’s 2021 Album of the Year, Industrial Strength Bluegrass, and The Radio Ramblers host the award-winning Ohio bluegrass festivals of the same name. Renowned for their dynamic performances, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers continue to tour extensively, captivating audiences across the US, Canada, and Europe. Career Highlights
Featured Performers of Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman in Nashville, TN (2011 & 2012)
JMRR debuted on the historic Grand Ole Opry July 2013 with regular guest appearances since
Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival named IBMA’s Event of the Year (2022)
IBMA’s ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (2019)
IBMA’s Collaborative Recording – “The Guitar Song” featuring Del McCoury (2019)
IBMA’s Song of the Year – “If I’d Have Wrote That Song” (2018)
IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance (2016 & 2017)
IBMA’s Broadcaster of the Year – Joe Mullins (2016)
IBMA’s Emerging Artists of the Year (2012)
Joe Mullins has earned 6 IBMA Awards and 4 SPBGMA Awards
Hosts of the Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival held in March & November
FOUR albums on Billboard’s Top Selling Albums Chart – For The Record, The Story We Tell, Sacred Memories, and Another Day From Life
ELEVEN #1 Songs & Albums since 2013
“The Guitar Song” reached #1 on the National Blluegrass Survey’s Top 30 (3 consecutive months August-October 2019) and Bluegrass Today’s Top 20 Songs Chart (March 2019)
Joe Mullins is host of Front Porch Fellowship, a syndicated radio show that broadcasts weekly on over 200 radio stations
JMRR represented Bluegrass Music at the National Folk Festival (2015)
Friday & Saturday
Authentic Unlimited
Authentic Unlimited formed when three members of the last rendition of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver decided to stay together and form a new band. Taking their name from a suggestion by Mr. Lawson, Eli, Jerry, and Stephen added Jesse and John and started to work. Their many talents came together in 2022 to form what quickly became an award-winning band with a large, enthusiastic following. In 2024 the band was named IBMA Vocal Group of the Year and also won Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “Fall in Tennessee” while Jesse Brock was named Mandolin Player of the Year. They released albums in 2022 and 2024, each time releasing a Gospel album in addition to an all-around Bluegrass album. Jerry Cole was born in 1974 and raised in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee. He has been around music his entire life. He is the son of Jerry Lee and Nancy Cole. He has two older siblings and two younger. At the age of 6, his father taught him to play guitar. Jerry Lee sang with The Betterway Quartet for nearly 30 years. During Jerry Lee’s practice sessions at home, young Jerry learned to sing lead and harmony. He began touring with Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad, recording two albums with the band. He later joined Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out where he stayed for 3 years. In December 2018, Jerry joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver where he stayed until Lawson’s retirement in December, 2021. Eli Johnston was born near Branson, Missouri to parents David and Alycia Johnston. He was raised in southeastern Kansas after his father had taken a job at the hospital there as a surgical nurse. He has two younger brothers, one a musician and the other a police officer. Eli’s grandfather, Joe Riker, bought his first guitar when he was 11. Seeing that his son had a love of music, David would drive Eli all over the country, attending festivals. Eli joined his first band, ‘Nothin’ Fancy’ while he was in high school. Later, he became a member of Pine Mountain Railroad. In 2013, Eli joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. During his time there, two of Eli’s songs were recorded by the band. Eli is married to wife Keasley and they have two children, 3 year old Huxley and a newborn named Boone. Stephen Burwell is the son of Edwin and Cheryl Burwell of Lake Jackson, Texas. At age 4, the family moved to Washington. He learned to play fiddle when he was 8. In 2014, he moved to North Carolina where he auditioned for Doyle Lawson only a few days after the move. He was made part of Quicksilver on October 1, 2014. He describes Lawson as “the best boss ever” and contributes much of his dedication to the craft to the years spent in Quicksilver. Stephen is also a recording engineer and has a studio located at his home. Stephen is newlywed, married to wife Haley in September 2021. Daughter Lydia arrived in 2024. Jesse Brock is the son of C.W. and Starre Brock who hails from Kentucky. He grew up in a musically inclined family and began singing at the age of 7. At 8, he learned to play the fiddle but soon decided that he was better suited for the mandolin. His first experience as a band member was with his family. Since then, he has performed with some of the top acts in the industry. His efforts were recognized in 2009 and again in 2015 as he was awarded IBMA Mandolin Player of The Year. Jesse is married to wife Kristine. John Meador from Westmoreland, TN, is a talented musician with roots that run deep in music. The son of Marty Meador and Jenice Harper, John started making music before he could walk, with singing being a big part of his early years. At 12, his father taught him to play guitar, sparking a lifelong passion. By 16, John’s exceptional skills earned him a music scholarship, which he completed while still in high school. Now, John continues to impress with his guitar playing and vocals, and he enjoys life with his wife, Grace, and their children, Betsy and Adam.
Saturday Only
The award-winning duo of Kenny & Amanda Smith have cultivated a reputation of delivering fresh, heartfelt, bluegrass music to stages worldwide for nearly two decades. Known for sincere vocals and stellar musicianship, Kenny & Amanda Smith are one of the most beloved husband-and-wife teams in acoustic music. Partners in both life and in music, Kenny and Amanda met at a bluegrass festival in the late nineties, while Kenny was performing with the legendary bluegrass group, The Lonesome River Band. Although a young man, Kenny already had a reputation as an ace guitarist, having twice been named Guitar Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Amanda had grown up singing in churches and local talent competitions, and her star was quickly rising in the bluegrass community. The two forged a bond over their love for bluegrass music and their dedication to their Christian faith, creating a connection that resulted in lifetime love for the two of them, and beautiful music for the world. Combining fresh bluegrass songs with Amanda Smith’s passionate singing and Kenny Smith’s inventive guitar work, has proved a winning combination among fans and critics alike. The husband and wife team released their debut album in 2001, and haven’t looked back. Kenny & Amanda Smith were quickly embraced by the bluegrass community, and were named Emerging Artist of the Year by the IBMA in 2003. Amanda Smith was named IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2014, while the duo has received numerous nominations from the IBMA, SPBGMA and Dove awards throughout the years as well. Kenny’s reputation as one of the most influential flat-picking guitarists of his generation, makes him one of the most in-demand bluegrass guitar players in the industry. Their knack for identifying hit songs has resulted in Kenny & Amanda Smith being mainstays on bluegrass radio for nearly twenty years. Their catalog includes “Winter’s Come and Gone,” “It’s Not The Wind,” “Randall Collins,” “I Know Where Love Lives,” “I’d Jump The Mississippi,” “Catch Me If I Try,” “You Know That I Would,” and many more hit songs that have filled bluegrass airwaves and charts for two decades. Their two latest singles, “Feeling of Falling” (Spring 2019) and “Too Often Left Alone” (Fall 2019) are receiving rave reviews, and have fans anxiously awaiting a new Kenny & Amanda Smith album. “Feeling of Falling” has already reached Number One on the bluegrass charts, with “Too Often Left Alone” currently impacting bluegrass radio. Passion permeates everything that Kenny & Amanda Smith do, both in life and in music. On stage or in the studio, their love for each other comes across in their music, resulting in a rare chemistry that resonates with both longtime and first-time listeners. For nearly twenty years, their music has pulled on the heartstrings of fans of bluegrass and beyond, creating a lasting legacy that has made them one of the genre’s most beloved duos of the 21st century. While making music together is their passion, their proudest role is that of parents to their beautiful daughter, Annabelle.
THE MARKSMEN QUARTET
From Murrayville, Georgia, this Bluegrass Gospel quartet formed in the fall of 1967. Originally the band was a Southern Gospel quartet with four guys and a piano. The piano player quit in 1977 and they sang with just a guitar and a bass. The tenor singer at the time used to play mandolin in a Bluegrass band, so that’s how they started leaning more toward Bluegrass. Current members of the band are Earle Wheeler (bass), his son Mark Wheeler (guitar/banjo), Darrin Chambers (guitar/Dobro™), Tommy Dutton (mandolin.) Band highlights include winning 1991’s Video of the Year for “Grandpa Was a Farmer (Independent Country Music Awards). In 1992, they won a “Telly” award for their video “Wagon Tracks.” From 1993 0 1995 they were named the Best Bluegrass Gospel Group at SPBGMA. In 2009, they released their Blue Ridge Mountain Memories: 20 Gospel Favorites album on the Rural Rhythm label.
Core members of the band are band leader Lori King on vocals and bass and Joe King on guitar and vocals. Lori started her music career in 1993 and began performing and singing with the group Bluegrass Addiction in 1999. Lori was introduced to bluegrass music by her husband Joe and began playing bass in 1994. After five years of playing and singing at local music festivals and jams, she joined the group and became a driving force behind the band. Her awards include the 2015 Midwest SPBGMA Bass Fiddle Player and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year and 2016 Female Vocalist. Her powerhouse vocals mixed with her tone and style on her 1967 Kay Upright bass provides a solid foundation for the band. Lori had a vision for this group, and in 2014 they began taking bluegrass in the Midwest by storm! Lori is the founder and director for Lori King Productions. Her passion for bluegrass music shows on stage and off. Joe began playing guitar as a young boy and was an original member of Bluegrass Addiction in 1991 when the group was formed. Joe is an accomplished guitar player, vocalist, and songwriter. Songs he’s written include “Soap Crick” and “Thinkin Bout You” which were featured in the independent films “A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar” and “Out Late” respectively. His impeccable timing, rhythm, and stylish flatpicking on his Dan Tyminski Model Martin D-28 guitar have earned him many accolades from fans and musicians alike. Joe was most currently named the 2020 SPBGMA Midwest and 2019 BMAI Guitar Player of the Year, in addition to several other awards and nominations over the years. He is the 2016 Iowa State Fair Guitar Champion and in the Iowa Bluegrass Hall of Fame. When Joe is not performing or traveling, he gives acoustic music lessons . He enjoys his time on the road performing bluegrass and country music with the bands. Junction 63 is a great addition to the music scene – a band that promises to bring a fresh take on traditional music. With their hard driving and contemporary vibe, this band is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. Their unique sound seamlessly blends the old and the new, creating a musical experience that is both nostalgic and modern. Over the past 9 years, the band has released three albums, with the third release on Turnberry Records. However, for this 4th project an EP, the band has decided to once again take control and has been sharing singles leading up to the full EP release by the end of 2024. We can’t wait for fans to hear the entire project. Lori King and Junction 63 are a passionate and energetic bluegrass band that consists of multi-talented songwriters, arrangers, and instrumentalists. Their vast repertoire includes hard-driving numbers, heartwarming gospels, sing-along country-grass, and classic and contemporary bluegrass compositions. Lori believes that their authenticity both on and off stage has helped them build a strong connection with their audience, making them the best bluegrass band in the Midwest. Come experience their passion and energy for bluegrass music at their next performance!
Festival Info
Held Twice Annually at the Ozark Folk Center
The Mountain View Bluegrass Festivals are sponsored by The Mountain View Bluegrass Association, Inc.
This group was founded in 2002 for the purpose of supporting our community and mentoring youth who desire to play folk and bluegrass music.
Our first Bluegrass Festival was held in 2003. The Mountain View Bluegrass Association, Inc. is a 501 (c) (4) non-profit and our festivals are fundraisers for our local Music Roots Program and other community endeavors.
The Mountain View Bluegrass Festivals are held every year during the second weekend of March and November, always based on the second Saturday.
All shows are held inside the Ozark Highlands Theater at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, AR. Thursday shows are one evening of all gospel. Fridays and Saturdays each have a matinee and evening show of acoustic bluegrass.
Proceeds from the festivals pay for teachers and instruments for the Music Roots program and provide scholarships for students to attend summer music camps. We also pay for regular repairs and string changes as needed. If students show exceptional interest in continuing to play an instrument, Music Roots teachers may recommend that those students receive an instrument of their own.
The Bluegrass Association helps to pay for those instruments. Many Music Roots students have formed groups that have gone on to perform both locally and regionally. These groups have performed on stage at the Ozark Folk Center and other venues in Mountain View and around Arkansas as well as on stages in Branson, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee. Some students from Music Roots have won band contests, received awards, and even joined professional touring bands.
We are quite proud of the Music Roots students and their accomplishments. We are grateful to play a part in these students’ success. A Music Roots ensemble opens our Saturday festival shows so that everyone can see where their money goes.
The Music Roots program was started in 1998 by Danny Thomas, then superintendent of the Mountain View School District. Mr. Thomas received a career orientation grant and used those funds to buy instruments and pay teachers to teach the students how to play them.
Donate to the Music Roots Program!
The Mountain View Bluegrass Association, Inc. and the Music Roots program are dedicated to keeping old time and bluegrass music alive by teaching youngsters to play acoustic instruments, starting with guitar and fiddle. Other instruments including banjo and dulcimer are added for second-year students.
The Music Roots program is in place at three Stone County schools for students in fourth grade – Mountain View, Timbo, and Rural Special. Classes for fifth grade and up are held at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.
We pay for the teachers and provide instruments for all the classes. We regularly have over 100 students from 4th grade on up learning how to play acoustic instruments.
When students show real dedication to continuing to play, and their Music Roots teacher makes the recommendation, we provide them with a new instrument of their own.
We also grant scholarships for students to attend summer music camps to hone their skills with other youngsters who love bluegrass and old-time music.
The Music Roots program plays a major part in keeping music alive in Mountain View, Arkansas!
November 6 – 8, 2025
Featuring:
Mountain View Connection
The McClain Family Band
Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass
Rhonda Vincent
Frank Ray and Cedar Hill
Special Consensus
Roving Gambler Band
Southern Legacy
The Country Gents Show
If you are interested in performing in our Mountain View Bluegrass Festivals, please send your DPK to:
LarryandAngelBluegrass@gmail.com
You may mail hard copies of CDs to:
Mountain View Bluegrass Association, Inc.
101 South Vine Ave. Mountain View, AR 72560
We can also be reached at:
501-350-9676
Please DO NOT CALL our ticket and information line. That line is for ticket information and purchases only.
Mountain View Bluegrass Association
Information: 501-350-9676
Tickets Only: 870-501-5105
DO NOT CALL THE OZARK FOLK CENTER FOR TICKET OR FESTIVAL INFORMATION.
Mountain View Bluegrass Assoc., Inc.
PO Box 238
Mountain View, Arkansas 72560
Contact Form
Please leave questions and comments below.
SPRING 2012
Audie Blaylock
Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad
David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition
Goldwing Express
Lonesome Ridge
Meyer Bluegrass
Redhead Express
Redmond Keisler Band
J. D. Crowe & The New South
The Roys
The Boxcars
FALL 2012
Chasing Blue
Clancey Ferguson
Cobb Brothers
Grascals, The
Lost & Found
Louisiana Grass
Marty Raybon
Sierra Hull & Hwy 111
Special Consensus
The Harpers
Spring 2013
Cobb Brothers
Redmond Keisler Band
Bucksnort Hill
Cedar Hill
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Gibson Brothers
Hickory Hill
LaTrese and The Signal
Monroe Crossing
Steeldrivers
Fall 2013
Clancey Ferguson
Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad
Lonesome Ridge
Redhead Express
Hartley Family
Junior Sisk
Nothin’ Fancy
The Whites
Volume Five
Spring 2014
Cobb Brothers
Redmond Keisler Band
Larry Stephenson Band
Special Consensus
Goldwing Express
Punches Family
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Southern Raised
Fall 2014
Clancey Ferguson
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Monroe Crossing
Grascals, The
Meyer Bluegrass
Bobby Osborne
Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome
Leatherwoods
Spring 2015
Cobb Brothers
Redmond Keisler Band
Larry Stephenson Band
Lonesome Ridge
Gibson Brothers
Lost & Found
Audie Blaylock
Adkins & Loudermilk
Balsam Range
Kurt Stephenson
Fall 2015
Hartley Family
Junior Sisk
Nothin’ Fancy
Volume Five
Hickory Hill
Catahoula Drive
Dueling Hearts
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
Spring 2016
Cobb Brothers
Redmond Keisler Band
Kurt Stephenson
Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad
Cedar Hill
Farm Hands
Flatt Lonesome
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Spinney Brothers
Fall 2016
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Monroe Crossing
Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome
Goldwing Express
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Baker Family
Lorraine Jordan
Twang
Spring 2017
Redmond Keisler Band
Clancey Ferguson
Larry Stephenson Band
Special Consensus
Lonesome Ridge
David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition
Blue Highway
Lonesome River Band
Fall 2017
Baker Family
Twang
Flatt Lonesome
Nothin’ Fancy
Volume Five
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
Nichols Family
Springstreet
Spring 2018
Twang
Redmond Keisler Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Grascals, The
Dueling Hearts
Dave Adkins
Highway 36
No Time Flatt
Williamson Branch
Fall 2018
David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition
Monroe Crossing
Cedar Hill
Punches Family
David Davis & The Warrior River Boys
High Fidelity
Purple Hulls
Resonating Grace
Spring 2019
Twang
Redmond Keisler Band
Baker Family
Springstreet
Special Consensus
Hickory Hill
Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
Ralph Stanley II
Rhonda Vincent
Fall 2019
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Highway 36
No Time Flatt
Nothin’ Fancy
Nichols Family
Lonesome Ridge
Lorraine Jordan
Catahoula Drive
Spring 2020
No Time Flatt
Redmond Keisler Band
High Fidelity
Volume Five
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Apple & Setser
The Family Sowell
Kody Norris Show
Sideline (for Seldom Scene)
Fall 2020
Redmond Keisler Band
Kody Norris Show
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Ralph Stanley II
Dave Adkins
Ellis Family
King James Boys
Shannon Slaughter
Spillwater Drive
Sylamore Special
Sideline
Ozark Strangers (As Music Roots Ensemble)
Spring 2022
Redmond Keisler Band
Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Catahoula Drive
Springstreet
Monroe Crossing
Purple Hulls
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Junior Sisk
Fall 2022
Baker Family
Special Consensus
Cedar Hill
Tim Graves & The Farm Hands
Audie Blaylock & Redline
The Dale Ann Bradley Band
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Deeper Shade of Blue
Spring 2023
Redmond Keisler Band
Sylamore Special
Larry Stephenson Band
Blue Highway
Blake Brothers
Danny Paisley and Southern Grass
Gospel Plowboys
High Plains Tradition
Kevin Prater Band
Sister Sadie
Tacie and The Sunshine Band
Fall 2023
Volume Five
Lonesome River Band
Authentic Unlimited
Churchmen, The
Eddie Sanders
Fast Track
Finley River Boys
Kurt and Andrea Stephenson
Roving Gambler Band
Tina Adair
Unspoken Tradition
Spring 2024
Baker Family
Catahoula Drive
SpringStreet
Dave Adkins
Gibson Brothers
Becky Buller Band
Big Mill
Edgar Loudermilk
Seldom Scene
Redmond Keisler Tribute Band
Fall 2024
The Gospel Plowboys
Deeper Shade of Blue
Kody Norris Show
The Grascals
Rick Faris
Route 3
The Waddington Brothers
Greg Blake and Hometown
Donna Ulisse
Mountain View has many local lodging and dining options along with many surrounding attractions that will keep you busy between shows.
Below are a few links to help you locate great lodging and dining as well as other cool things to do!
The Festival is held indoors at the Ozark Highlands Music Auditorium at the Ozark Folk Center.
Parking is available in the large parking area in the SW corner of the Folk Center. Shuttle buses will transport you to and from the theater.