Rich in Tradition - This excellent band comes to the Smyth County Jam from a good distance; Low Gap, Pine Hall, Mt Airy North Carolina, etc. This is their first visit and we hope it will not be the last. Among their honors they have won first place at Galax Fiddler's Convention in 2006 and placed second in 2007! This IS a big deal!! The band was formed in 2006.
Mickey Gaylean plays guitar with "Rich in Tradition". Mickey's father Cullen Gaylean played banjo with the hard-to-beat" Mountain Ramblers "many years ago. Mickey has a son who plays guitar and a daughter who has picked up the fiddle. He says he is unsure if it will last. Mickey has worked for North Carolina Department of Transportation for fifteen years. In addition to guitar, Mickey plays mandolin and bass and is beginning to learn banjo. He does vocals too. He says he admires the music of his late father very much.
Jay Adams plays banjo with "Rich in Tradition", coming to the Smyth County Jam from Pine Hall, North Carolina; near Mt Pilot, NC. Jay also plays guitar and bass and sings as well. He has a brother who played music. Jay is the father of two daughters who are grown. He also writes songs; to add to his many talents. Jay is employed as a line man for Energy United (formerly REA). His favorite musicians are Flatt and Scruggs.
Greg Jones, on mandolin, is from Mt Airy, North Carolina and also plays with "Rich in Tradition". Greg plays mandolin guitar and handles vocals very nicely. The Smyth County Jam welcomes Greg to our stage any time he is able to come over to us. Greg has three children. He says his grandmother taught her children how to play and that is how he came to play, through his dad. He has played for thirty years. He still enjoys a good jam session with his dad and uncles. Greg is a supervisor of scheduling at NCFI (a foam plant) in Mt Airy, NC. He is a song writer to add to his credits. Greg admires Sam Bush as a musician.
Brian Hiatt is from Orchard Gap, Virginia. Brian plays bass with "Rich in Tradition". He also plays guitar, banjo and mandolin in addition to his song writing ability. The Smyth County Jam is happy to see Brian and the band here and we hope they will come again when possible. Brian is self-employed as a landscaper, and in his down time he works as a substitute teacher. He enjoys a variety of music from Merle Haggard to Don Williams. Brian is father of two children.
Jordon Blevins from Marion, VA was trying out for the position of fiddle player for "Rich in Tradition" tonight; we hope he gets the job.
* The band has 4 CD's out--including a gospel CD.
www.richintraditionbluegrass.com
