Spring 2024 Line-up

Mountain View Bluegrass Festival 2024 Spring Line-up

March 7th, 8th, 9th

Tickets for Thursday Are Available at the Auditorium

As usual, the Mountain View Fall Bluegrass Festival is packed with first rate acts that are sure to keep you entertained. We will keep you informed if any new information becomes available so check back often!

Remember…Thursday is All Gospel Night!

Becky Buller – Thursday and Friday

Becky Buller is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter from St. James, Minn., who has traversed the
globe over performing bluegrass music to underwrite her insatiable songwriting habit.
Becky has written songs for three Grammy award-winning albums: Crooked Tree Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
(2023); The Travelin’ McCourys The Travelin’ McCourys (2019); Laws Of Gravity The Infamous Stringdusters
(2018). Her compositions can also be heard on records by Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and Doyle Lawson &
Quicksilver, to name just a few.
Becky is the recipient of 10 IBMA awards, including the 2016 Fiddler and Female Vocalist. She is the first
woman in the history of the awards to receive the Fiddler nod; she is also the first person ever to win in both vocal and instrumental categories. Her other awards include the 2020 Collaborative Recording for “The Barber’s
Fiddle” and the 2020 Song for co-writing and fiddling on Special Consensus’ “Chicago Barn Dance.”
She is a frequent guest artist on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry and tours extensively with the Becky Buller Band. Distance And Time, her third album for the Dark Shadow Recording label, was a nominee for the 2021 IBMA Album
award. Her first Christmas collection, The Perfect Gift, released during the 2022 holiday season.
In April 2023, Becky will be inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall Of Fame. She is a nominee for the 2023 SPBGMA Fiddler Performer and Song Of Year awards (“Millworker”).
Becky moonlights with the First Ladies Of Bluegrass, an all-female ensemble composed of the first women to
win in their respective instrumental categories at the IBMA awards: Alison Brown (banjo), Missy Raines (bass),
Sierra Hull (mandolin), Becky (fiddle), and Molly Tuttle (guitar).
Equally passionate about bluegrass music education, Becky has over 20 years experience teaching fiddle,
singing, and songwriting, both privately and at workshops and camps around the world. She currently serves on
the board of the IBMA Foundation, which awards $50,000 annually in scholarships and grants to spread the
word about bluegrass music and support those who create it.
Becky proudly calls Manchester, Tenn., her adopted hometown, where she lives with husband, Jeff Haley, and daughter, Romy.

Band:

Ned Luberecki

Ned is the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player Of The Year and an all-around bluegrass legend. Ned is an
incredible music educator. Ned is funny. He was a member of Paul Adkins & The Borderline
Band, The Rarely Herd and, most recently, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers for over a decade.
The Baltimore, Md., native, who now makes his home in Nashville, Tenn., is a partner in the Nedski
& Mojo duo and a favored guest on stage and in studio with artists ranging from Jim Lauderdale
to Tony Trischka to Ray Stevens to Sam Bush. Since the early 1980s, Ned has maintained a busy
schedule of private lessons, along with workshops and camps in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and
Europe. He is the author of Alfred Publications three-part Complete 5-String Banjo Method and
has pioneered on-air instruction with his popular “More Banjo Sunday” and “The Sunday Banjo
Lesson” on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, where he also hosts the regular newgrass show,
“Derailed,” keeping us laughing all the way down the road. For several years now, Ned has also
been the voice of the IBMA awards show. He is a 2011 IBMA Broadcaster Of The Year award
nominee and IBMA Broadcaster of The Year award winner for 2023. He and his Bluegrass
Junction compadres were honored with a 2016 IBMA Distinguished Achievement award. Check
out his critically-acclaimed latest album, Take Five, when you have a moment, as well as his new
series of instructional videos for TrueFire.com. His latest single, “Back In Baltimore” is available
wherever you grab your music. Visit Ned online at http://nedski.com.

Daniel Hardin

By day, Daniel is a master machine operator at the Jack Daniels Distillery in his hometown,
Lynchburg, Tenn., where he has been employed since 2004. Daniel performed professionally for
three years with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. He also did a stint with the Nashville-based band
Cages Bend. Daniel toured extensively with both groups throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe
and the U.K. Daniel’s high harmony and low four can be heard on the albums Now I’m Lonely by
Cages Bend, Valerie’s No Summer Storm and, as well as on all of Becky’s albums on the Dark
Shadow Recording label. Daniel does not have a website, but you can catch him on Facebook.

Wes Lee

Wes Lee is the 2001 MerleFest mandolin champion from Gainesville, Ga., who previously
performed with Becky in Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. His picking was featured on
Valerie’s That’s What Love Can Do album. For the past 16 years, Wes has worked for the further
processing division Springer Mountain Farms and is currently a senior coordinator. He jumped at
the chance to play music again with friends he considers family. Visit with Wes on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter.
Jacob Groopman
At age 12, Richmond, Va., native Jacob Groopman became captivated by the guitar, immersing
himself in rock, blues, and jazz. But it wasn’t until his time at Oberlin Conservatory that he really dug
into early American roots, bluegrass, and finger-style blues. This diverse skill set served Jacob well
when he settled in the San Francisco Bay Area to begin his professional music career, beginning
with the Albino! Afrobeat Orchestra as well as various bluegrass and country groups. Along the way,
he has always taught both private instrumental music, group classes, and even facilitated musical
summer camps in various states from Alaska to Wisconsin. He is best known in the bluegrass music
world for his work with his wife, Melody Walker, in their band, Front Country, one of only three
groups in history to win both the prestigious RockyGrass and Telluride band competitions. Their
critically-acclaimed, eclectic brand of original bluegrass and roots music caught the attention of
NPR, Rolling Stone, and American Songwriter. After Front County went on hiatus in 2021, Jacob
was part of several high profile tours with Americana artists The War and Treaty and Rachel Baimain
in addition to duo performances with Melody. He also opened his own booking/management
agency. Rosewood Artists currently represents Laurie Lewis, The Slocan Ramblers, and AJ Lee &
Blue Summit. When not on tour with the Becky Buller Band, Jacob, Melody, and their cat can be
found at home in Nashville, Tenn., biking, cooking, or doing yoga. Check out his 2021 solo album,
Through The Gates, and visit him online at: JacobGroopman.com.

The Baker Family – Thursday and Friday

The Baker Family is a high energy bluegrass band located in south central Missouri. We perform at bluegrass events throughout the United States from Maine to California. We would love to come be apart of your next festival!!

Catahoula Drive – Thursday and Friday

    Catahoula Drive began on a whim when four friends got together for an impromptu jam session. A few hours into the session, the guys decided to enter a band contest at the SPBGMA Awards show,  in Nashville, TN. After placing 5th out of 25 bands, the band picked up several bookings before leaving the convention. With that, the guys decided to formally become a touring band and have been entertaining audiences ever since. In 2017 they were invited back to SPBGMA to perform on the mainstage, this time as artist rather than contest participants. Touring mostly in La., MS., TX. and Ark. the band has built up quite a fan base. They are very passionate about their music but also provide a laid back, often humorous show that ensures the audience that the band is having a good time. The guys love meeting new people, as well as seeing old friends. That is reflected anytime they are approached off stage. They hope to continue to travel and entertain audiences for years to come.

The Band:
Tres Nugent: Bass and vocals   Tres was born into the music. His grandfather Raymond was a front man for one of Louisiana’s most popular bands the Southland Bluegrass. Tres’ dad Dickie, also a musician, moved to Nashville when Tres was 12 years old .Tres was exposed to many good musicians in his family home through the countless weekend jam sessions Dickie would host there. Tres got his first professional playing job while still in high school with dobro great Tim Graves. During his senior year, he went to work for Jimmy Bowen and Santa Fe. Then in 2004 he joined Special Consensus. After several years of traveling and recording with Special C , Tres decided to give up the road life for his family and church. Tres is a dynamic bass player and tenor singer and keeps the band entertained on the road with his antics.
Dennis Stewart: Mandolin and vocals   Dennis was also born into a musical family. Dennis’ dad Travis is a well-known musician from Louisiana. With a circle of friends that included bluegrass greats such as Byron Berline and Alan Shelton, there were always good musicians hanging around the Stewart house. Travis was a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys at the time Dennis was born. Dennis started playing mandolin at the age of 15 and has developed a unique style of his own.  He has also written a number of songs, several in which the band has recorded. He does most of the emcee work for the band as well. Dennis lives in Pineville La, with his wife Amy.
Greg Stewart: Banjo and Vocals
Growing up in a musical family,Greg picked up the banjo as a teenager.  Starting in the family band, Greg quickly became a skilled player and learned the harmony parts at a young age. His hard driving banjo style certainly helps create the energy of the band. He also does the bass vocals on the quartet arrangements.He contributes to a lot of the arrangements as well. Greg lives in Woodville Tx. With his wife Kelly.
Jamey Alwell: Guitar and Vocals   Jamey has always had a love for music.  He became fixated on Southern Gospel at the young age of ten when he placed a phone call to the local radio station and won tickets to see Gold City and The Kingsmen in Concert. Jamey’s grandparents were in a Gospel group and have traveled to such places as Honduras, The Cayman Islands, and Jamaica playing and singing gospel music.  His dad played banjo in that group and was the song leader at church when Jamey grew up.  He was greatly influenced by Doyle Lawson and quicksilver as that that was his dad’s favorite band.  He started playing the guitar at age 16 after being mesmerized when first hearing the Tony Rice “Manzanita” album.  His voice has turned numerous heads at festivals and has caught the attention of fans wherever they go.   He loves his band mates, his family, and most of all, the Lord.   He lives in Pineville, La with his beautiful wife of 23 years Jessica and their three children.

Dave Adkins – Thursday and Friday

There is no mistaking the raw and powerful vocals by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Adkins. During his impressive career, Adkins has achieved an extensive list of awards and nominations in Bluegrass, Country, and Gospel music, along with achievements for his songwriting. His extraordinary vocal talents are evident from his significant chart success and stellar live performances.

Dave Adkins was born David E. Adkins on June 8, 1972, in Pikeville, Kentucky, and now makes his home in Elkhorn City. When he was just eight years old, he played and sang with classmates in a band performing at schools and other venues. Then, at 17, he began playing bluegrass music at Dollywood, where he stayed for two years. A year later, Adkins was named a Kentucky Colonel – the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Gibson Brothers – Friday and Saturday

Growing up on a dairy farm in northern NewYork and then traveling around the world in a bluegrass band has given them a unique vantage point on life, and the songs on “Darkest Hour”are a testament to that. “Jerry wanted to hear everything we’d written,” Eric told me, “so we just sent him songs: brand new songs, old songs, there’s stuff on that record 20 years old that we never recorded. We wanted to see what he would do with us as singer-songwriters.We respect him that much. Some of my favorite records are Jerry Douglas produced records. He didn’t disappoint.”

If the Gibson Brothers had stayed in Nashville in 1999 they might possibly be Grand Ole Opry members by now. At the very least they would be hit songwriters on Music Row. But, just like their buddy Del McCoury, they chose family over success (McCoury was in his 50s when he moved to Nashville and didn’t really see major success until he was approaching 60).All they need is someone to shine a light on them.Their talent level is well-established, the only producers they have ever worked with are Ricky Skaggs, DanAuerbach, David Ferguson andJerry Douglas. I dare say not many musicians can stack up a list of producers that strong. For theGibson Brothers though, they just want to keep writing, singing, and standing on a stage.

Seldom Scene – Saturday only

The progressive bluegrass style played by the Seldom Scene had become increasingly popular during the 1970s. Their weekly shows included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and pop. The band’s popularity soon forced them to play more than once a week —but they continued to maintain their image as being seldom seen, and on several of their early album covers were photographed with the stage lights on only their feet, or with their backs to the camera. Though the Scene remained a non-touring band, they were prolific recorders, producing seven albums in their first five years of existence, including one live album (among the first live bluegrass albums).

Since forming, the band has gone through numerous lineup changes. The last big shakeup happened in 1995, when Duffey and Eldridge, the two remaining original members, recruited dobro player Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and guitarist Dudley Connell to join the band. Mandolinist Lou Reid returned the following year and in 2017 Ron Stewart joined as the new banjo player. The current band has been together the longest in Seldom Scene history, and for good reason… With an inventive take on bluegrass, the Seldom Scene has displayed both their original material and their interpretations of songs from limitless genres.

Edgar Loudermilk – Saturday only

In 2019, the Edgar Loudermilk Band, featuring Jeff Autry released the album, “Lonesome Riverboat Blues” on the Rural Rhythm Records label. The title track,“Lonesome Riverboat Blues,” reached #1 status on the Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction “Most Played” status for July, 2019.  In addition, the song spent 12 weeks in the Top 20 of the Bluegrass Today Airplay Charts.  In late 2019, Jeff Autry took a hiatus from the band due to health reasons, with Georgia native Clint Coker filling the guitar responsibilities.

In early 2021, the Edgar Loudermilk Band received chart action from two self-penned songs on their “The Dark Side of Lonesome” CD, with the release of the title track and their second release, “I’ll Put the Blame On You.”  The album boasts the musicianship and vocals of not only Loudermilk, but also Zack Autry (mandolin/vocals), Curtis “Bum” Bumgarner (banjo), Clint Coker (guitar), Dylan Armour (resonator guitar).  In addition, guest fiddler, Grammy-award winning Michael Cleveland lends his talent to the mix.

The Edgar Loudermilk Band currently includes Edgar Loudermilk (upright bass/lead & harmony vocals), Zack Autry (mandolin/lead & harmony vocals), Jamey Pittman (guitar/harmony vocals), Anthony Howell (banjo/harmony vocals).

Spring Street – Saturday only

SpringStreet started in 1990 as a dream of members Mike Williams and Dan Nieto. They had gone to see Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys perform at The Auditorium in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Inspired by this performance to start a musical career of their own, they chose the band name “SpringStreet” after the city street where The Auditorium was located. More than thirty years later, SpringStreet is still going strong entertaining folks all over the country. Members now include Nick Alberty (mandolin / lead vocals), Steve Huhn (upright bass), Rick Morton (fiddle / vocals), along with original members Mike Williams (banjo / vocals) and Dan Nieto (guitar / lead vocals). They have also been an award winning band as a group and as individuals.

Big Mill – Saturday only

Big Mill is a traditionally based bluegrass band rooted deep within the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. Founded in the early 2000’s by original group members, John Taylor and Darren Osborne, this band is steeped with musicians who began their love of bluegrass at a very early age. Lead singer and guitarist, John Taylor, began playing guitar around the age of twelve. John has worked with several regional bands over the years, including the Rickman Family, at which point he played banjo for the group. After taking some time off from the music scene to serve as a Missouri state trooper, John returned to the music and was an integral part of assembling Big Mill. John’s repertoire is endless, ranging from traditional bluegrass to classic country, uniquely crafted to fit the bluegrass genre. Darren Osborne plays mandolin and sings harmony. After attending his first bluegrass festival, his dad bought him a Jim and Jesse album, which was the turning point for his pickin’ and eventually led to the formation of their family band, The Thorny Mountain Boys. Later, Darren played and sang with The Missouri Bluegrass band and Second Time Round. Randy O’Dell is no stranger to the bluegrass world. He began playing guitar and banjo when he was fourteen, then hit the festival scene during the ‘70’s, playing mandolin with Dub Crouch and the Bluegrass Rounders. Randy, a retired Walmart trucker, now plays banjo with Big Mill. Inspired by his grandpa to play the fiddle, Bill Gage began his musical career when he was just seven years old. Bill has played several different genres of music over the years, only becoming acquainted with bluegrass a little over twenty years ago. Having lived close to Mountain View, Arkansas, Bill spent many weekends playing with JC Bonds and other musicians on the local scene. Before Big Mill, Bill was a part of regional bands, South 14 and The Roving Gamblers. Ali Maze began playing guitar when she was ten; thinking it would be a “passing fancy,” her grandma bought her a cheap guitar and five lessons. When she was fourteen, she discovered Tony Rice, bluegrass and Mountain View, Arkansas. Mountain View led to bluegrass festivals and playing with an all-girl band, The Southern Belles. Eventually, out of necessity for a bass player, Ali chose this as her main instrument. Now playing and singing some harmony with Big Mill, Ali has played with such bands as The Roving Gamblers, Cedar Hill and Midnight Flight.

Redmond Keisler Tribute Band – Thursday only

The Redmond Keisler Tribute Band continues to honor their late founder by keeping his name in the band name.  Band members are Randy Keisler on lead vocals, Kelly Rogers on upright bass and lead and harmony vocals, Mark Taylor on guitar and lead and harmony vocals, Rodney Heslep on banjo and harmony vocals, Lonnie Collins on Mandolin and fiddle, and Darrell Hagood on dobro.

Don’t miss our Fall Bluegrass Festival

Nov 7 – 9, 2024
Featuring:

Kody Norris
Greg Blake and Hometown
Waddington Brothers
Donna Ulisse
Route 3
Deeper Shade of Blue
Gospel Plowboys
Grascals
Rick Faris