Biography

Greenwood Rye is a modern jam-grass band based in Nashville formed during pandemic times as the house band for the renowned bluegrass supper-club, Jane's Hideaway. With a mission to connect with both Nashville natives and tourists, Greenwood Rye blends classic and modern bluegrass, striving to keep the genre thriving in Music City.

The band, led by Shawn Spencer, began as a collective of Nashville best young bluegrass players, as the world re-opened for live music. Players like Oliver Craven (Straybirds, Sierra Ferrell), Nate Leath (David Grisman, Love Cannon), Josh Rilko (Sierra Ferrell, Lindsey Lou), Tony Aichelle (Travis Tritt, Morgan Wallen), Sasha Ostrovsky (Darius Rucker, Bering Strait), Larry Cook (Tony Trishka), Frank Evans (Slocan Ramblers) rotated through, helping to define the style & vibe of the new band.

As the band began writing and performing new music, as well as touring and playing festivals such as ROMP, Albino Skunk and Americanafest a core group emerged that would go on to record “Hideaway” at Compass Records in Nashville.

Cat McDonald on Fiddle (Freshgrass Finalist), Taylor Shuck on Banjo (Rockygrass & Freshgrass Finalist), David Freeman on Mandolin, & Andy Brown on Bass make up the band's current line-up.


"Hideaway" was Produced & Mixed by Billy Hume, Grammy-winner with The Infamous Stringdusters

Featured Artists: Sasha Ostrovsky, Dobro (Darius Rucker, Bering Strait), Mason Via, co-writer (Old Crow Medicine Show), Frank Evans, co-writer (Slocan Ramblers)

"Southern Pines" Single Released: July 26, 2024
Featured on Spotify’s Official Editorial Playlist "New Grass"

"Down to the River" Single Released: August 9, 2024
Premiered by The Bluegrass Situation. Featured on Spotify’s Official Editorial Playlist "New Grass"


"Bluegrass Thriving in Nashville....house band in Greenwood Rye" – NPR Music

“You Gotta Hear This” – The Bluegrass Situation