News Archive

"Powergrass with a Twang"

JONESBOROUGH – Music on the Square welcomes the Cherokee Mountain Boys and Wolf Creek to downtown Jonesborough, Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

The Cherokee Mountain Boys have a local and regional reputation of delivering traditional bluegrass instrumentation and word in a rhythmic style made for dancing. Members have performed at popular tri-cities bluegrass spots as well other stages throughout Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.

Lead singer, Joe Adkins, plays guitar and an occasional doghouse bass. His dad, Tom, got him started playing guitar when he was eight years old. His role models are Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys. Joe has played bluegrass for 20 years and has been with CMB for around two years.

Terry Tester has been playing bluegrass for 33 years. He masters the banjo and sings high tenor. Bluegrass regulars may remember him from The Part-Time Grass and Elk River Band. Bill Monroe has been a personal favorite for him. Terry has played with CMB on and off for about six years.

Frank Culler started playing guitar in 1956 when he was 16 years old. For the past several years he has turned to the doghouse bass. His role model was his uncle, Lowbright White, who taught him how to play. Some of his past bands include Long Hollow Ramblers, Doe River Boys and The Red Barn Band. Frank has played with CMB on and off for around two years.

Bob Greene has lived the bluegrass life for 40 years playing guitar and singing baratone. Other bands he has played with include Spiritual Life Quartet, Country Blue Band and The Honeycutt Brothers. Doyle Lawson is his personal pick on style. Bob has been running with CMB about six years. The original Cherokee Mountain Boys was started by Bob's cousin, Jimmy Greene, in the mid 1950s.

Wolf Creek is the result of a creative collaboration among five of our area's most seasoned entertainers. Since playing the Tri-Cities' top venues and events, which include Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Blue Plum, The Down Home, Paramount Theatre, Twilight Alive and The Carter Fold, Wolf Creek has been defined as "Powergrass with a Twang."

Powergrass is the product of Bluegrass roots which are fused with the punch and impact of a tight and powerful rhythm section, which includes electric bass and drums. The "twang" is provided via the Telecaster guitar and a love for the classic country sounds of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. The band's name was derived from Dan Fogelberg's song "Wolf Creek," which has been performed by some of the group's biggest influences - Doc Watson, Herb Pedersen, David Grisman and Jerry Douglas.

Jason Crawford (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals), who grew up in a musically oriented family, started playing guitar around the age of seven. He has developed his skills over the last 22 years on a wide variety of instruments. Studio work and local gigs keep him busy on banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro, bass and harmony vocals. Jason has played in several bands including ETSU's Bluegrass Band, Leisure Tyme, BlueRidge, Ridgeline, The Larkins, Wallace Switch and Springfield Exit.

Kevin Jackson (fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals) is one of the Tri-Cities' most prolific players. In demand both live and in the studio, he has added his talent to literally hundreds of recordings and performances throughout our region. With an open invitation from many of our area's top bands, Kevin has been seen regularly on stage during the past 30 years performing.

Edward Main (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals) is a seriously talented guitar player and it shows when he takes off on his 60th Anniversary Custom Telecaster. Since he was 10-years-old, Ed has always loved a good guitar. "I started playing bluegrass when I was young and a Guild or Martin were the guitars of choice," he says. "In high school I started playing Rock and Roll and Gibson or Fender were the way to go." He adds, "the Telecaster has been my favorite guitar for a long time." Numerous bands in North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida have been fortunate to have Ed in their camp.

Simple and solid are how other musicians describe the playing of bassist Jim Price (bass guitar, harmony vocals). In his 25 years of performing, Jim has logged thousands of miles traveling with bands performing many styles of music. Prior to his term with the Reagan Boggs Band he was a member of critically acclaimed Americana act Jubal Foster. In addition to his occupation as a picker, he has developed a successful career as a recording engineer, working with acts ranging from Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson and The Oak Ridge Boys to local bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway.

Robbie Stevens (drums, percussion, harmony vocals) has a musical pedigree that combines experiences in music that range from gospel to progressive rock and most everything in between. He is a veteran performer who has traveled extensively throughout the country. He is known for tight and precise drumming, and despite being on stage with many highly talented performers, plenty of audience members will leave the show commenting "That drummer was great! Who was that?"

The members of Wolf Creek not only serve up a musical experience rich in the musical tradition of our region, but combine a wealth of experience to produce a highly entertaining show.

As always, the MOTS summer concert series is a free, outdoor, family event. Main Street is blocked off to through- traffic so the audience can bring lawn chairs and sit in front of the courthouse steps. Parking is found behind the courthouse. Restrooms are available, handicap access is available for parking and seating, local shops are open for dining and desserts and overnight accommodations are available for those who decide to stay! For more information, contact the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 753-1010.