Biography
Tommy Brown cut his teeth on classic traditional bluegrass. A third generation musician, Tommy began pickin' the five-string banjo at age six. His powerful banjo style garnered him both the Kentucky State and the Tennessee State Banjo Championships and his powerful pickin' style and soulful vocals embrace his passion for the mountain-style bluegrass music he performs today.
From 1981 to 1990 Tommy played for his uncle's band, ‘Jim Simpson & Kentucky Mountain Grass.’ After that group disbanded, Tommy decided to start his own band with a group of friends who lived just across the county line, thus the name ‘Tommy Brown & the County Line Grass’.
The band is still a family affair with Tommy's family and close friends joining him. Son Jereme plays lead guitar and lends his poignant lead, tenor and baritone vocals to the group. With an instrument twice her size, daughter Rachel skillfully provides a solid, yet spirited rhythm on acoustic bass. Rounding out the family element is wife, Laura, who joins the group on stage for a song or two as well as surprising the audience by sneaking in a jig dance every now and then!
Providing steady rhythm to the group is Josh "Jug" Rinkel. Josh also provide lead and baritone vocals as well as penning a lot of the group’s original material. Last but certainly not least is Fiddlin' Wayne Fyffe. Wayne’s energetic fiddle tunes make you want to get up and dance and his emotional back-up work provides the perfect complement to the group's moving ballads.
This group is pleasing audiences around the nation while still holding true to their beloved traditional, mountain-style bluegrass. Sit back but hold onto your hats - you don't want to miss this entertaining group!
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