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Joe Alles lead and
tenor vocals, banjo
Joe comes
from a large musical family. He sang on stage for the first time at 2
years old and began playing the banjo at age 10. At age 12, he started
performing with “The Geels Family". For the next 15 years he played
festivals and state parks in Indiana. During this time Joe competed in
numerous instrument contests winning many awards including The Indiana
State Banjo Championship in both 1992 and 1993. In 1993, Joe formed a band
with Jason Mowery (of "The Wreckers”). After moving to Nashville, TN, he
has performed with the bands “Ever Since Now", and "Now and Then". In
early 2008, he teamed with Steve Mofield, Bill Scott, and Brian Merchant
to form " Fade2Blue Bluegrass". Joe’s smooth, soulful voice, and
unwavering high standards for musical composition make his arrangements
unique, and memorable.
Brian Merchant lead and
tenor vocals, bass
Brian plays
the bass for “Fade2Blue". He started playing at the age of ten performing
regularly for family and friends. When fresh out of High School, he formed
a group that was a regular at various venues in and around the Nashville,
Tennessee area. In February 2008, he ran into long time friend Steve
Mofield. Steve asked if he would be interested in forming a new group
along with other friends from former groups. Brian said yes and "Fade2Blue
Bluegrass" was born! Brian is an accomplished bass player, but is equally
talented on guitar. He has a great ear for arrangements and can always be
called upon to assist with the recording process. Brian's dynamic lead and
tenor vocals are an integral part of "Fade2Blue's" sound.
Steve Mofield baritone vocals, guitar
Steve began playing guitar at 8 years old.
He experimented with various styles and genres of music. Throughout the
1980’s he performed in several bands throughout the Nashville, TN Area. In
1988 Steve attended a bluegrass festival with his father. It was then that
he began to focus primarily on acoustic/bluegrass music. Steve has played
for several area bluegrass bands such as “Now and Then, “Hear and Now”,
and “Blackjack Ridge”. Steve is not only accomplished on the guitar, he is
also quite proficient on the mandolin. Steve’s unique driving rhythm
style, exciting flat-picking, and warm baritone voice all reveal the
passion he has for the music he plays.
Bill Scott bass
vocals, mandolin
Bill has
been playing music for over 35 years. His enthusiastic and tasteful
mandolin sound stems from a diverse musical background. He studied jazz
and classical music while performing the club circuit throughout the
Southeastern United States. Thanks to the generous, humble spirit in the
bluegrass community, he has been able to meet, and learn from many of the
bluegrass greats he so admires. Such as Cherryholmes, Jimmy Martin, Roland
White, and many others. Bill has played with several Nashville based
bluegrass bands. He handles most of the emcee work for “Fade2Blue”. Bill
gives thanks to God, who makes all things possible, and to his wife and
children for their unfailing support.
Ronnie Jones lead
and tenor vocals, banjo
Ronnie is
a Nashville native who has been heavily influenced by a bluegrass background
since childhood. He began singing at the age of ten, and his favorite after
school activity was jamming under a shade tree. By the age of twelve he was
playing bass at campgrounds and other local venues with his father's band. He
picked up the banjo at the age of 15, and not long after he was winning ribbons
in bluegrass competitions at local festivals. Over the next few years, he became
a part of several bands, including Silver Creek and Drive South. Depending on the
band, he offered everything from vocals to drums to banjo. He took a twenty year
break from music, and only four years ago did he realize his true love for the
art. He re-joined his father's band, Lonnie Jones and Hard Drive, and has just
become the newest member of Fade2Blue. He is grateful to God for every blessing
and opportunity that has come his way.
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