Biography

Appalachian Trail Bluegrass Band is a collective group of singers, musicians, and songwriters from Northeast Tennessee. The band has been invited to play at festivals across the U.S, riverboat weddings in Nashville, are regular guests at the infamous Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, corporate parties, and have played the “Song of the Mountains” public television series three times. The band is diversified, choosing innovative and original material to record.

Appalachian Trail was formed around 1984. Original members Linda Lay and Carson Cooper were traveling to their first show and did not have a name for the band when they saw a sign that read 'Appalachian Trail' and decided on that until they thought of something better but the name has lasted and fitting it is... 30 years later, the band is still burning new trails in the bluegrass arena. This band helped cultivate the careers of the likes of Adam Steffey, John Bowman, Becky Buller and many others.

MEMBERS:





Tommy Austin- Mandolin/Lead & Harmony

Tommy Austin’s soft tenor lead, spot on harmony and mandolin playing round out the distinctive sound that has entertained audiences for over twenty years. Tommy played guitar and sang with his mother in church growing up in Fall Branch, TN. One night, he heard Mr. Jim McCamey playing mandolin and decided that was what he wanted to play. Of all the mandolin players in the world Tommy’s personal favorite is Adam Steffey, from right here in East Tennessee. Throughout the years, he has played in several bands including; The Horsecreek Mountain Boys, Clear Creek, The Rising Wind, Limited Edition, Tennessee Skyline, and The Hopsons. Tommy resides in Fall Branch.


Vickie Austin- Upright Bass/Lead & Harmony

Vickie began singing at an early age with her dad in church. One of her earliest musical memories was watching her great grandmother, Laura Ashworth from Rye Cove, Virginia, chord an old pump organ in the key of “F” and sing, “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again”. It “clicked” with Vickie what her grandmother was doing with her hands, and at age 13, was given an old upright piano for her birthday. She sang with her sister for many years and shared her love for the bluegrass sound. Vickie sang and played bass for Twin Springs Bluegrass Band and eventually joined her husband in Appalachian Trail. Vickie’s lead and harmony vocals are as pure and clear as a cool, crisp mountain October morning


Allen Hughes- Guitar/Lead & Harmony

Big Al has played guitar with Appalachian Trail for six years. Allen Hughes’ classic country-inspired vocals and dynamic guitar playing not only brings his technical ability to light, but also, and perhaps even more noticeably, displays what the words “heart” and “soul” actually sound like. A life long love of music became apparent to his family, when, at the age of four, he declared he wanted to be "Johnny Cash" when he grew up. Traditional country, especially Merle Haggard, has been a big influence to him. As a teenager, he was introduced to, and took lessons from, G.C. Matlock in Jonesborough, TN. Soon after he played with several friends from college in the band, "Blue Ridge Tradition". While playing jams at festivals, the back room of the "Down Home", the Chucky Trading Post, and the infamous Rheatown Store, he met his friend and band mate, Tommy Austin. Their first musical experience began in the late eighties in the band, "The Rising Wind". Their friendship and music has grown over 25 years. He lends his vocals to several songs on lead, baritone, and bass. He resides in Erwin, TN with his wife, Lee, and son, Allen, Jr, and works as a Yard Master with CSX transportation.


Glen Rose- Banjo

Glen has been playing the banjo since the age of 10. He can “fire up” a Flatt & Scruggs tune that will burn your socks off. He was inspired to play by listening to his cousin the late Buddy Rose who gave him banjo lessons from age 10 to 12. Other influences include Earl Scruggs, J.D.Crowe, Carl Jackson, and countless others. has played with several groups thru the years and at an early age of 14, Glen and his brother John performed as special guests of Lester Flatt on the Grand Ole Opry. He has been a part of the ETSU Bluegrass Band while working on his BS degree in computer science. He has appeared on several albums over the years and has his own solo banjo instrumental album. In his spare time, he teaches banjo and guitar at his home in Jonesborough, TN where he lives with his wife, Jackie.




Ashley Davis - fiddle, vocals

Ashley Davis is originally from Fayetteville, NC. Her parents encouraged her to pursue music, teaching her piano and guitar as a small child. Ashley enjoyed listening to Bluegrass on WQDR FM every Sunday night where she first heard Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent. At age 13, Ashley taught herself fiddle and was mentored by Mr. Leslie Sandy, a former member of Bill Monroe's band, The Bluegrass Boys. By the time Ashley was 15 she was performing with the local bluegrass band in Fayetteville, Bill Jordan and Southern Bluegrass. Ashley freelanced as a fiddle player with various bands throughout high school. She has been a member of The Parsons band, Sweet Potato Pie, and the Tyler Williams Band. In 2007, Ashley recorded her first solo album, "Fiddlin' with Les," which is titled in honor of her musical mentor. She moved to Johnson City, TN in 2010 and has been studying a Marketing degree at East Tennessee State University. Ashley has recently joined Appalachian Trail Bluegrass Band as a fiddler and vocalist.




Songwriting Credits:





Tommy Austin- "Charlie Lawson’s Still", co-written with Becky Buller, recorded by The Mark Newton Band "You Love Me Today", as recorded by Josh Williams, "Pocket Knives and Fiddle Tunes" as recorded by the Daughters of Bluegrass, "A Christmas Tear"- finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at Merlefest, "The Master’s Plan", "Blue’s My Favorite Color", "Misery in Missouri", "Katrina", "Rain", "Pale Rider".



Vickie Austin- "Country Road", "Runnin’ Blind", "Angels Watching Me", "Abraham".







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