The Revelers + Mountain Park Old Time Band

The Revelers brings together founding members of the Red Stick Ramblers and The Pine Leaf Boys, two groups unquestionably at the vanguard of the Louisiana cultural renaissance. The six-member group combines Cajun, country, blues, and zydeco into a powerful tonic of roots music. In 2016, their release, Get Ready, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category. As individuals, Blake Miller (accordion), Chas Justus (guitar), Daniel Coolik (fiddle), Glenn Fields (drums), Eric Frey (bass) and The Chris Miller, aka TCM, (saxophone) are in high demand. They have performed and recorded with Natalie Merchant, Linda Ronstadt, Preston Frank, Walter Mouton, Mamadou Diabaté, and Cedric Watson.

Mountain Park Old Time Band was formed 6 years ago as a group of friends who happened to enjoy old time music got together to have a good time. Nancy and Johnny Gentry had played for many years with the White Top Mountain Band. Nancy drives the rhythm with her excellent bass playing and is the designated leader of the band. Johnny Gentry can play every instrument, and has taught an unknown number of people to play any instrument they desire. He also is a well-known and respected luthier of banjos. They are from Mountain Park, North Carolina. Johnny sings and does the harmony. C.T. Janney is one of the top dancers in the area. He drives the band’s rhythm and beat with his washboard playing as well as his footwork. Roger Stamper is a virtuoso fiddle player from Independence, Virginia, and now lives with his wife Amy in Dobson, North Carolina. Mark Handy is from Ennice, North Carolina. He plays the banjo, sings, and dances.

The Mountain Park Old Time Band is known for its dance music, whether it be square dance, flat foot, clogging, two step, or waltz. The band has played the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion and Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theater in Marion, Virginia. The group performs at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, several times a year and each month at the Alleghany Jubilee. They have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and have opened for the bluegrass super group Blue Highway as well as the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Mike Snider, and Steep Canyon Rangers. The group has also played at MerleFest and HoustonFest.