Grasstowne
Alan Bibey: Mandolin / Vocals
Since first hitting the scene in the early 1980’s, Alan Bibey has made a name for himself as one of the most creative and technically gifted mandolinist in bluegrass and acoustic music. A stylist who turned heads as an original member of The New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out and BlueRidge, his tasteful innovations and pristine execution earned him inclusion in The Young Mando Monsters project and Mel Bay’s mandolin Book “The Greatest Mandolin Players Of The Twentieth Century." Alan left IIIrd Tyme Out in 1993 to become an original member of The Southern Country Nights show in Surfside Beach, SC and later was a member of The Carolina Opry cast from 1994 until 1997. Alan has been nominated for awards each year at SPBGMA (The Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music Association) and IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) and has most recently won for “Album of The Year”,“Instrumental Recording Of The Year” and “Recorded Event Of The Year” at IBMA. He has instruction books and videos/dvd’s available through AcuTab and Mel Bay and just last year was on the cover of Mandolin Magazine. His solo recording “In The Blue Room” was voted top instrumental Album by County Record Sales. Alan was a major factor in BlueRidge and part of it’s success for the last ten years but is extremely excited about this great new venture with Grasstowne! Last but not least, in early 2004 The Gibson Company put into production The Alan Bibey Signature Series line of mandolins, reaffirming his status as one of the most influential mandolinist in bluegrass and acoustic music history!
Steve Gulley: Guitar / Vocals
Guitarist Steve Gulley had already won esteem for his lofty tenor voice and emotional delivery as an entertainer at Kentucky's historic Renfro Valley before he joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, bringing him before a wider but no less appreciative audience.Steve was also a founding member of the bluegrass group Mountain Heart where he recorded five highly acclaimed CDs as the lead singer for that band.He has been tapped as a harmony and featured singer on projects like the widely-praised Keith Whitley album, "Sad Songs and Waltzes," and many others including projects by Ronnie Bowman, Dan Tyminski, Tim Stafford, David Parmley, Dale Ann Bradley, Jeff Parker and Grasstowne's own Phil Leadbetter just to name a few.He has also earned multiple Male Vocalist of the Year nominations from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.
Phil Leadbetter: Resophonic Guitar / Vocals
Phil has been playing resonator guitar since 1975. He was a member of JD Crowe & the New South for 10 years, and also a founding member of the bluegrass band Wildfire where he recorded 3 highly acclaimed CD's and remained for 6 years. He also worked with Grandpa Jones and CBS recording artist Vern Gosdin. In 1995 he was part of the Crowe recording "Flashback" which received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. He has received many SPBGMA and IBMA Dobro Player Of The Year nominations in various categories. Phil's first solo project entitled "Philibuster" was released on Rounder Records. In 2005, Phil released his 2nd solo CD "Slide Effects" on Pinecastle Records. The tune "California Cottonfields" charted #1 for two consecutive months (October and November 2005) on The Bluegrass Unlimited's National Chart with the CD itself reaching the #4 spot."California Cottonfields" also charted #1 on Prime Cuts Of Bluegrass. It was also a "Hot Pick" by quite a few Bluegrass Now reporting DJ's, and was #1 for several months on the "America's Bluegrass" chart."Slide Effects" was voted Best Bluegrass Album of 2005 by Cybergrass and made the top 10 list of CMT's Best Bluegrass Albums Of 2005. In October 2005, "Slide Effects" was voted"Best Instrumental Album", and Phil was awarded "Dobro Player of the Year" at The International Bluegrass Music Awards which were held at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His credits are found on quite a few CDs such as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Wildfire, JD Crowe & the New South, and Dolly Parton to name a few. Like Alan, Phil also has his own Gibson Signature Model Guitar. The Gibson Phil Leadbetter Signature Series Dobro has been Gibson's best selling Dobro guitar for several years now.
Jason Davis: Banjo
Musician Jason Davis hails from Ford, Virginia. He discovered bluegrass at the age of 10. He got his first banjo at age 11. He then landed his first professional gig at age 14 with Michelle Nixon & Drive where he remained for 3 1/2 years. He recorded 2 projects for Pinecastle while a member of Michelle's band. He was also featured on the Huber Banjo project called "Cuppa Jo." He then moved onto the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band where he recorded a Gospel album. After departing from Kenny and Amanda's group, he spent the remainder of 2006 filling in with Blueridge. He is now very excited and proud to be a member of Grasstowne.
Jamey Booher: Upright Acoustic Bass / Vocals
Jamey began playing bass at age 14, with his family's band, "The Boohers", and quickly excelled in both playing and singing. Although he is only 20 years old, his musicianship and professionalism is that of someone twice his age. Jamey's humble stage presence often gives an audience a deeper appreciation for his abilities, as they watch him develop into the rock solid foundation of the band. While staying focused on the vision of the band, Jamey strives daily to perfect and expand his vocal and musical talents. His greatest influences are Barry Bales and Jason Moore. Jamey makes his home in Johnson City, TN.
In keeping with the tradition of family values at Bluegrass on the Waccamaw, please make welcome and enjoy Grasstowne
Thanks, Jennings Chestnut, Sr.