Members
Born into a musical family in the hills of eastern Kentucky, CHRIS SHOUSE began singing and playing guitar around campfires and church revivals. His love affair with mountain music continues to this day; you can hear it in his fine pickin’, and above all in his singing. By turns powerful, sweet, and haunting, he’s got the kind of voice that’ll set your neck hair standing up . . . in a good way! Being one of distinction, you may see Chris with tight rolled jeans, argyle socks, and a band of gypsies following his every footstep.
CURTIS WILSON comes from the Cumberland Valley region of Kentucky. His grandma having grown up across the street from Dave “String Bean” Akemon had nothing to do with his decision to pick up the banjo, and although he plays the clawhammer style like String Bean, he also plays the two- and three-finger melodic styles as well. He also has a big share of the band’s songwriting. Aside from being the sole voice crying out for Kentucky to cease its involvement with the State Quarter collection, he also moonlights as the lead cut man in the corner of reigning kangaroo boxing champ, “The Captain.”
Growing up in the river city of Owensboro (just up the road from Bill Monroe’s old homeplace), DAVE HOWARD didn’t play the mandolin, and he didn’t play bluegrass. His first stage appearance was at a high school talent show, playing bass on a Beck song — but losing to the seniors who played the Pearl Jam song. Since then Dave’s made a name for himself as a fine mandolin player and harmony singer — sitting in with Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, filling in for Adrienne Young and Little Sadie, and performing with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra and with bands all over the region. He often has the additional distinction of having the best beard in the room.
Scotty Moore is a member of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. SCOTT MOORE is not, but he hopes to be one day. Another Kentucky product of a musical family, Scott started playing violin at age four, writing music at six, and singing since before he can remember. He’s been a classical soloist with a number of orchestras, played Bach and Paganini in bars all over the country, and Kentucky fiddle tunes in Carnegie Hall. Music has taken him to five continents. He’s played and written music in almost every style you can imagine. He enjoys spicy food and interesting women (or vice versa). He’s also been known to climb trees, drive too fast, and streak, but has since cut at least one of those out.
T. Martin Stam is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina — but he makes his home in Kentucky now, so the rest of the boys don’t hold it against him. An accomplished bassist, he began his music career at age five, with the violin. Since then he’s studied classical and jazz with luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Wynton Marsalis, and completed two music performance degrees in the process. He loves all kinds of music, and he’s just as likely to bust out a Hank Williams song or old-time fiddle tune as anything else. He’s also a triathlete, professional dog-walker, breakdancer, and commando fisherman (it’s not what you think). . . .
