Biography

Sometimes you never know when your life takes a turn. When a young girl wants to play an instrument and her brothers want to get in on the action, amazing things can happen. Take three talented siblings to an open mic night and you might accidentally discover that you have something special. You won’t believe your ears when you listen to Lonesome Meadow, the family band from Westerville, OH. Their Kentucky roots shine through in their rich sibling harmonies and amazing instrumentation. In just a few short years, they have amazed audiences from Canada to Florida when they cut loose on classics like Foggy Mountain Breakdown or play waltzes like Ashokan Farewell. And not only do they play traditional and progressive bluegrass so well, but they also perform their own original bluegrass tunes.

Anne Marie moves audiences with the raw emotion she draws from the fiddle, from sweet to sad to thrilling. She also adds mandolin to the group with a prowess that had a luthier in Harlan, Kentucky give her a custom instrument as a gift “just to hear her play it.” John plays the guitar with a skill strongly influenced by Tony Rice and Steve Kaufman. He has an impressive mastery of the guitar neck that has him playing blues-influenced original breaks like his heroes. His wit and charm make him the ideal MC for the band. Gary plays banjo with a skill way beyond his years. He has remarkable tone and timing that sets him apart. Mark (a.k.a. Dad) backs them up on the bass.

If, instrumentally, they are so remarkable, then imagine adding voices that blend like only siblings can and draw comparisons to the best in bluegrass. Anne Marie has a voice so sweet and clear that it brings tears to your eyes when she sings songs like Wayfaring Stranger. John has a voice well suited to bluegrass lead. Gary surprises everyone with a rich bass lead and harmony. With a sound like a cross between an early Alison Kraus and Union Station and The Chapmans, this surprising combination lets them choose any combination of lead and harmonies well suited for a variety of bluegrass and bluegrass gospel songs.

o Their 5th CD, Sittin’ on a Sidewalk, released in August 2011, was recorded at Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall’s place. It was produced by Don Rigsby and features 7 original songs.
o Their 4th CD, Carry Me Away, released June 2010, was recorded at Dark Horse Recording in Franklin, TN and includes guest Rob Ickes and features many originals as well as a Tom T & Dixie Hall/Johnny Williams song
o Winners of the 2010 South Carolina State Bluegrass Band Competition at the RenoFest Bluegrass Festival (2010)
o Winners of the 28th Annual Smoky Mountain Fiddler’s Convention Bluegrass Band Competition Loudon, TN (2010)
o Placed 1st in guitar, banjo and mandolin and 2nd in fiddle at the 28th Annual Smoky Mountain Fiddler’s Convention Bluegrass Band Competition Loudon, TN (2010)
o Placed 2nd at the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band Contest in Branson, MO (2010)
o Placed 3rd at the Mountaineer Opry House Bluegrass Band Competition (2010)
o Placed 9th at the SPBGMA Bluegrass Band Competition (2010)
o Placed 3rd at the 2009 RenoFest Bluegrass Festival (2009)
o Placed 3rd at the Mountaineer Opry House Bluegrass Band Competition (2009)
o Signed with MasterShield Records for the release of their 3rd CD, Keepin’ the Music Alive (2008 )
o 1st CD, Finally, released in 2006 and 2nd CD, Goin’ to Town, released in 2007
o Won various other instrument and band awards


Endorsed by:
D’Addario Strings (2010), Bishline Banjos (2008 ), Eddie Gray Guitars (2010), Jerry Haynes Mandolins (2008 )