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| Tim |
Steven |
Russell |
Lloyd |
Chris |
The GRASS
CATS continue to entertain audiences with their
exciting live performances and critically
acclaimed recordings. Their shows feature lively
foot-stomping fiddle and banjo music, bluegrass
classics, tight vocal harmonies, acapella gospel
quartets and chart-topping original songs. Though
careful never to lose their traditional bluegrass
footing, the Cats also perform cleverly arranged
"covers" of songs from artists as
diverse as Eric Clapton, Duke Ellington and
Johnny Cash.
With a total of six CD's, their
recording career has also been highly acclaimed
with three of their CD's landing in the Top 10 on
Bluegrass Unlimited's National Bluegrass Survey.
Their 2002 release, "The Blues Are Back In
Town," received a highlight review in
Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and garnered the
CATS a #1 single, "Bluegrass Man." The
CD was also named to County Sales' Top 5
Traditional Bluegrass Recording list for 2002.
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Tim is the
elder statesman of The GRASS CATS and believe me,
the rest of the band takes pleasure reminding you
of that fact. Having played banjo for 30 years or
so, he also has interest in many other types of
music. Tim has recorded pedal steel, bass, and
guitar in addition to banjo as a studio musician.
Another hobby since the age of 13 or 14 is radio
broadcasting. He acquired his FCC License in
August of 1967 and finally got a job in January
of 1989 as the co-host of the Pinecone Bluegrass
Show on WQDR in Raleigh, NC. Occasionally he will
step out front to sing lead if there are cue
cards available, but is much more comfortable
singing harmony. |
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A triple
threat entertainer whenever he steps in front of
a microphone, Steven Martin has years of playing
and singing bluegrass to his credit. From his
early days with Carolina Drive, and more recently
a six year stint with the award-winning
Churchmen, his richly textured country-tinged
lead vocals, exceptional songwriting abilities
and his "in the pocket" rock-solid
rhythm guitar, have won him much recognition. An
excellent songwriter, his song, "Get
Onboard," from The Churchmen's' album On The
Journey Home went to #1 on the Bluegrass Now
Gospel Truths chart and the album was nominated
for the prestigious Dove Award. With a name like
"Steve Martin" you know he's got to be
a "wild and crazy" guy, a perfect fit
with the rest of The GRASS CATS. |
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Russell
brings sixteen years of performing and recording
experience to the band. He was the driving force
of the award winning Pinecastle Recording Artist
“New Vintage” from 1989 to 2000. His
”rock-solid and exquisitely high-lonesome
vocals” and humorous stage presence are hard
to forget. Russell’s success as a songwriter
and singer is well documented with eight of his
original songs reaching the Bluegrass Unlimited
National Bluegrass Survey, including the #1 hit
“Bluegrass Man” in April and May of
2003. He was also nominated for SPBGMA's
Songwriter of the Year in 2004. Bluegrass
Unlimited magazine places him in "the first
ranks of contemporary bluegrass." |
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Lloyd
Herring is The GRASS CATS bass player. Fairly new
to the bluegrass scene, Lloyd first fell in love
with the sound of the banjo (but we hope he will
grow out of that!) and bluegrass music after
hearing Flatt and Scruggs on his father's radio
at the age of 17. After a short stint playing
banjo with Lonesome Pine in 2005, Lloyd bought
his first bass in August and started playing. A
natural musician, Lloyd was able to contribute
immediately on bass with his great sense of
timing and drive. Equally gifted as a singer,
Lloyd adds harmony vocals to his bluegrass
arsenal, making him an extremely accomplished
musician despite his young age. With his pants
worn low and his snappy nick-names, "Double
L Kool Aid" or "Stringbean", Lloyd
brings an infectious youthful exuberance to the
old timers in the band like Tim Woodall and
…well Tim Woodall. |
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Affectionately
known as "Fiddleboy" by The GRASS CATS
faithful, Chris has been draggin' the bow since
the age of 7. His over twenty years of performing
have taken him from local shows, to bluegrass
festivals to venues as far away as Ulster
American Folk Park in Northern Ireland. He has
appeared on-stage with the likes of Grand Ole
Opry member and International Bluegrass Music
Association Hall-of Honor inductee Ralph Stanley,
country and bluegrass favorite Mac Wiseman,
bluegrass-gospel legends The Lewis Family and was
a member of regional favorite Al Batten & The
Bluegrass Reunion for 6 years. Chris' deeply
traditional style compliments the band's powerful
vocals and shines on their instrumentals.
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