Bands
I.B.M.A Male Vocalist of the Year Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass continue to be deeply rooted in tradition but look to the future
with enthusiasm and anticipation. The group’s latest release, Bluegrass Troubadour, was nominated for
IBMA’s Album of the Year and earned significant chart action, with the song Blink of an Eye spending
several months at the #1 spot on the Bluegrass music charts and was also nominated for IBMA Song of
the Year.With Danny Paisley on guitar, Southern Grass continues the family tradition by adding Danny’s son Ryan on mandolin, the next generation of up-and-coming pickers. Southern Grass continues the rich musical heritage started by Bob Paisley and Ted Lundy with Lundy’s sons T.J. (Fiddle) and Bobby (Bass andVocals). T.J. Lundy is a highly respected fiddler bridging the gap between old-time fiddling and bluegrass music. Bobby Lundy is also a renowned multi-instrumentalist who has gained attention for his unique bass style. Southern Grass also includes Dean Phillips on banjo.
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run was born in the holler of Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery, where the spirit of tradition still runs strong. Since forming in 2018, the band has been on a mission to blend the roots of traditional bluegrass with the energy of modern performance, crafting a sound that is both deeply authentic and refreshingly original.
Their high-energy live shows have taken them across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, earning them a reputation as one of the most exciting young acts on the bluegrass circuit today. The current lineup—Seth Mulder (mandolin), Tyler Griffith (bass), Mason Wright (fiddle), Anthony Howell (guitar), and Carter Lester (banjo)—creates a powerhouse of music and a stage show you don’t want to miss.
Kevin Prater Band
From the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, The Kevin Prater Band delivers their unique "Coal-Fired Pure Kentucky Bluegrass" with additions of Classic Country, Grassed Up Vintage Rock, Original Songs and emotion filled, Bluegrass Gospel music. The Kevin Prater Band is frequently recognized and celebrated for their stellar harmonies and acapella singing. 2025 Kevin Prater celebrates the 45th year of his musical journey that began at age seven. His God given vocal and musical talents have taken Kevin to 24 countries and 49 states, impressing fans world wide. Currently in his 16th year leading The Kevin Prater Band, they have experienced constant growth of fans and friends throughout the USA and Canada, playing 104 shows in 2024. Fans appreciate the bands traditional bluegrass influence expressed through the leadership of Kevin Prater.
Monroe Crossing
Monroe Crossing performs an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, original bluegrass and some surprising selections outside the bluegrass genre. Named in honor of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, Monroe Crossing’s superb musicianship and on-stage rapport have entertained audiences throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.For over 20 years this Minnesota based band has averaged over 100 shows a year performing in intimate rooms, community theaters, major venues and outdoor festivals. They are favorites among bluegrass connoisseurs and non-bluegrass audiences alike. They love introducing newcomers to bluegrass music!
Larry Efaw & The Bluegrass Mountaineers
Larry Efaw is all about tradition. Accomplished on both mandolin and guitar, started playing at the age of 7. During his long musical career, he has performed as a guest with Dailey & Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Doyle Lawson, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Del McCoury, Lewis Family, and GoldWing Express just to mention a few.
The sparks that the Bluegrass Mountaineers ignite while performing traditional bluegrass music are very unique. Their experience and the music shared by four generations continues a family tradition and translates into a treasure trove of bluegrass and a unique music style. In a quest to carry on the traditional bluegrass sound, the Bluegrass Mountaineers combine old-time claw hammering, classic country yodeling, and twin fiddles. All members of the Bluegrass Mountaineers take turns showcasing their vocal and instrumental abilities.The Bluegrass Mountaineers have achieved a variety of accomplishments, awards, and have performed such prestigious venues, such as the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s Fan Fair, and Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree.Larry and his wife, Lisa, also have produced and promoted several bluegrass events, most notable of these are Maumee Bay Bluegrass Super Class and The First Quality Cruise and Travel – Bluegrass Cruise.
The High Water Line
Emerging from the music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area, these four talented musicians crossed paths in 2017 through the common thread of the Northern California bluegrass community. From their first meeting they knew the music they could create would be special, and in their four years together they have continued to grow not only musically, but as close friends, adding their distinctive style to the ever evolving West Coast bluegrass sound.
Caltucky
Best known as a local Gold Country Region Band, Caltucky blends bluegrass, country, and soul music with modern jam improvisation that packs the house and gets the crowd boogy-ing down. Influenced by the community, culture, and sounds of the region, they perform music that speaks to fans across the musical spectrum. Their signature style has become synonymous with a diverse collection of melodies and compositions, performing their take on covers, traditional, and original songs. This Band is on the rise, and nothing can stop them from achieving the success they work so hard for, stay tuned, and keep an ear out for Caltucky!
Red Dog Ash
Red Dog Ash is an award-winning bluegrass band from California’s Central Valley. Now in its twelfth year, Red Dog Ash plays with an easy familiarity, confidence, and a sound all its own. It is, as Country Chart puts it, “a surprisingly fresh and exciting bluegrass band.” Al Shusterman of Backroads Bluegrass Radio adds that Red Dog Ash has left its mark on the West Coast bluegrass scene with a unique style that “grabs you and won’t let you go.”
The band takes its name from red dog, the byproduct of uncontrolled coal waste fires—a metaphor for its hard-driving tunes, authentic bluegrass vocals, and high-lonesome harmonies. Red Dog Ash shows feature a variety of original songs and tunes, along with material ranging from the Stanley Brothers to Dawg Music. The band features Mark Eagleton on bass, Shane Kalbach on fiddle and vocals, Mark Peet on banjo and stage banter, Gary Vessel on mandolin and vocals, and Jason Winfree on guitar and vocals.
John Cruz
Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz engages audiences with rich storytelling through songs ranging from Hawaiian to blues, folk, R&B and more. Cruz is a multi-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner and contributed a composition and song to the GRAMMY® award-winning album ‘Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2.’ Captivating guitar playing, soulful vocals and a compassionate, genuine heart make Cruz one of Hawaii’s most beloved artists.
On stage, he fully embodies every song with this alluring energy translating to his acclaimed albums, ‘Acoustic Soul’ (one of the best selling Hawaii records of all time) and ‘One of These Days’ (bowed at #4 on Billboard’s World Music chart). Today, over 1 million people stream Cruz’s music every year as he enjoys regular plays on SiriusXM, prominent features on hit Playing for Change videos (“The Weight”, “Jokerman” and “All Along The Watchtower”) and a new, long-term concert residency at one of Hawaii’s top listening rooms, ProArts Studio in Kihei, Maui.
