Lonesome Highway at Coleman Station

This is the final Instalment of the bands appearing at The Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival next weekend, July 24 and 25, in Freidens Pa. I hope to see you there.

Lonesome Highway is the band to be highlighted in this post. In addition to the information here check out this recent informational video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfieagzm0eU

Band info and bios follow:

History

Lonesome Highway is truly one of the great bluegrass groups on the rise. Based in Romney , WV, Lonesome Highway has been performing throughout the regional area for the last 13 years. Their superb solo and harmony singing accompanied with tight instrumentals will leave you with an unforgettable bluegrass experience.

Formed in 1996, Lonesome Highway released their first album in 1999 entitled “Look Back on Love” that showcases their vocal and instrumental abilities, as well as their songwriting talent. In the summer of 2004, Lonesome Highway recorded their second project, “Chalk Up Another One” that once again features their rich vocal talent and superior bluegrass drive. Bill Wagner stated in Bluegrass Unlimited, “one of the better non-label CD’s I’ve reviewed in several years”.

Lonesome Highway’s stage show consists of a pleasing blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass songs as well as their original material. They have opened for many professional acts such as IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Kathy Mattea, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, The Lewis Family, Blue Highway , Marty Raybon and Mac Wiseman. They have won numerous band competitions in MD, VA and placed 5th at the SPBGMA International Band Championships in Nashville , TN in 2002 and 8th in 2008 (without their regular bass player).

Original members of the band, John Arnold (banjo) and Jimmy Kountz (mandolin) have been playing music together on and off for over 20 years. John is known for his incredible drive on the banjo, while Jimmy’s vocals are some of the best in the business. Bass player, Tom Suddath joined the band in 2004 and is one of the finest high tenor singers you will hear. Buddy Dunlap has been with the band since 2006 and is one of the youngest accomplished songwriters and guitar pickers and on the circuit, taking 3rd place at Merlefest and 10th at Galax in guitar competitions this past year.

Jimmy
I want one of those “little guitars”, a 7 year old Jimmy told his father while attending his first bluegrass festival. That “little guitar” he was referring to was of course a mandolin. It would be a few years before he got his own real mandolin but from that day on he was hooked. Not unlike John, Jimmy’s first attempt at a musical instrument was a dulcimer. His father purchased one and they learned to play it together until he got his first mandolin at age 11. He would go on to learn the guitar, both electric and acoustic, the bass and even a little keyboard. His bluegrass influences range from Bill Monroe to the contemporary sounds of today’s bands.


John
“Fascinated by the sound of the banjo” are the actual words written in John Arnold’s baby book at age 3 by his mother, Nancy. His parents got him a banjo for Christmas at age 10; however they were convinced that it would be too difficult to learn to play. The banjo was then sold and music would never come up again until age 14 when John’s sister started dating local musician Paul Roomsburg. He got John interested in the lap dulcimer and they played mostly old-time tunes for anyone who would listen. John then learned to play the banjo and helped form the popular Romney area band South Branch Bluegrass along with his brother-in-law Paul and current band mate Jody Southerly and former band mate Tim Southerly. This band played locally and in the tri-state area from 1980 until 1995. In 1995, John and Jody joined with two other Hampshire County residents Jimmy Kountz and Mark Gibson to form a group called First Tyme Around to play mainly at a local establishment on a weekly basis. They also performed at other local functions until the spring of 1996. Some of John’s early musical influences were Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Flatt and Scruggs, The Squires, Terry Baucom and Sammy Shelor.

Buddy
An awesomely talented young musician currently living in Wardensville, WV, Buddy Dunlap adds greatly to Lonesome Highway's sound with his powerful rhythm guitar and fluent lead breaks and fills. Buddy is also and accomplished songwriter and writes a lot of LH's original tunes and well as adding another dimension vocally. He sings lead and harmony vocals as well as plays banjo, mandolin and bass. Buddy start playing around the age of 16 and played with the gospel band All 4 Hym before helping to form the bands Blue Light Special and Driving Force, both great young bands with talented pickers and singers. You're sure to enjoys Buddy's talent and creativity. He's currently working on his first solo project which contains mostly original material and host a lot of talented musicians helping him out.

Tom
At the age of 8, Tom learned how to play the drums and developed a love for music as he traveled on the bus with his dad, Dave, who played guitar and drums in the country band, “Purple Haze” out of Westminster , MD. Tom’s appreciation for music carried over to his high school years at Hampshire High School in Romney. He played the trombone in the band, where he acted as drum major and joined the show choir “Harmony”. About this time Tom started playing guitar and proceeded to teach 5 of his Marine Corp buddies to pick, so they could jam during their tenure in the service. Upon discharge and returning home, Tom played drums and sang in the short-lived group, “The Countrymen” with former Lonesome Highway member Tim Southerly and high school classmate Chris Chambers. In 2001, Tom’s brother Luke joined the group and they changed their name to “Appalachia ”. Although Tom continued to perform with Appalachia , his increasing interest in bluegrass music, his strong impressive vocals, and improving guitar skills made him a prime candidate for the guitar vacancy in Lonesome Highway . In February 2004, Tom became an official member of the band. Ironically, Lonesome Highway was the first bluegrass band Tom listened to. In December 2006, when Jody decided to quit the band, Tom moved from guitar to stand-up bass to make room for Buddy on guitar. He's doing a great job on bass and can still lend his vocals........that's a good thing!!!!!