Cripple Creek Renegades

Traditional Appalachian mountain string band music, folk ballads, adaptations of songs from other musical genres, and original material written in the traditional style. Brien Fain (banjo), an award-winning claw hammer banjo player, has also played guitar for Raymond Fairchild and the Maggie Valley Boys. He is joined by Joy Patton (fiddle), Debbie Larson (bass) and Larry McPeak (guitar).
The band's name arisesfrom a creek running through Wythe County , VA whose waters are well known for good fishing and wading. When you "go up Cripple Creek " with this group, fun is sure to follow.

Jim Lloyd & Acoustic Mayhem

Jim is a Rural Retreat barber as well as their Vice Mayor and an award-winning musician and teacher, a collector of stories, songs, banjos, guitars, and playing styles for many years.

Tommy Freeman & Tennessee Skyline

This band from east Tennessee brings loads of fresh young talent to bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Teenage performers David Roller (banjo), John Goad (bass, guitar), and Clint Hurd (mandolin, vocals) demonstrate an impressive command of bluegrass styles passed down from Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, and Bill Monroe. Matthew Hurd (vocals) offers soulful interpretations of classic songs with his high tenor, while Tommy Freeman (guitar, banjo) anchors the group with an intensity borne of his longtime appreciation of legends such as Carter Stanley, Lester Flatt and Red Smiley.

Wolf Brothers

Although the Wolfe Brothers first formed in the mid-1970s, they re-established their unique old-time sound in the early 1990s. Featuring three vocalists, the band's repertoire ranges from rarely heard traditional songs and tunes to original material. Founding members Jerry Correll (fiddle) and Dale Morris (banjo, guitar) are joined by Casey Hash (guitar, accordion) and Donna Correll (bass). Their latest Copper Creek release, Old Roads-New Journeys, has received several notable reviews and radio airplay. Based in the Grayson County, VA community of Elk Creek, the band has performed at the Carter Fold Festival, Merlefest, and the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, and has opened for Mountain Heart as well as for Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. www.geocities.com/wolfebrothers

The Fritts Family Band

The Fritts Family of Rogersville , TN began performing in 1986 and has since appeared across the country, including a year-long tour sponsored by the Folk Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts. Larry (banjo) not only founded the group but has instilled a love for bluegrass music in his children, who comprise the rest of the band. Geoff (bass), Jeremy (guitar) and Josh (mandolin) developed their skills by sitting in with experienced musicians and by formal study. Sarah-fiddler, vocalist and songwriter--was roundly praised by Country Music News for her "Dolly Parton/Alison Krauss-flavored high lonesome sound" on the band's most recent CD, Dust , released by Mountain Music & Arts.
www.bluegrassinthesmokies.com/FrittsFamily.html

The Larkins

Currently bubbling just under the radar of stardom you'll find Shaunna and Tina Larkin. Now in their early 20s, The Larkins have played at the Grand Ole Opry three times since 2001, and in every venue share their vibrant harmonies in a rich blend of country, rock and bluegrass. Additionally, their considerable talents as musicians are evident with Shaunna on the fiddle and Tina on mandolin, instruments they first picked up as pre-schoolers. One of The Larkins' most enthusiastic fans is Dolly Parton, who wrote their single, "Steady As The Rain . Dolly also sings harmony vocals and appears in the Larkins' just-released video of the same name. The song can be found on their CD, The Larkins , produced by Audium Records. www.larkinmusic.com