Hailed by The Washington Post as “one of Nashville’s finest song interpreters,” Kathy Mattea has enjoyed much success and acclaim during her 35-year career in Country, Bluegrass, and Folk music, including two Grammy wins, four CMA Awards, four #1 country singles, and five gold albums (plus a platinum Greatest Hits collection). Her latest album is “Pretty Bird," produced by her old friend, roots music wizard Tim O’Brien. The wide-ranging collection of songs chronicles a period of rededication to singing, digging back in with a vocal coach and emerging with a poignant and eclectic CD. In addition to creating and recording music and performing live on tour, Kathy is increasingly involved with public broadcasting, consulting and contributing on screen in Ken Burns’ 2019 documentary for PBS “Country Music,” and recently replacing founder Larry Groce as the host of the long-running NPR show “Mountain Stage.”

In addition to appearing at the Grand Ole Opry for many years as part of the Carol Lee Singers, Kim Parent toured for over a decade with Brooks & Dunn and Grammy award winning pop artist Christopher Cross. She has sung on countless recordings, including major hits by JoDee Messina, Faith Hill, Phil Vasser, Aaron Tippin, Leo Kotke, Reba, and many others. Kim was one of the house band singers on the popular TV show “The Singing Bee” and has appeared on many televised award shows backing such artists as Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, Michael McDonald, and Lionel Ritchie, among others.

Tim May is a Nashville based multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He played for years with original progressive bluegrass band Crucial Smith, with Eddie Rabbitt, with Patty Loveless and with John Cowan. Tim has played regularly on the Grand Ole Opry with Mike Snider, was guitarist on Charlie Daniel’s recording of “I’ll Fly Away” in 2005 (nominated for a grammy) and currently tours with Gretchen Priest-May, with Steve Smith and with Richard Gilewitz.

Will Barrow is a multi-genre, Grammy-winning pianist, singer-songwriter, accordionist, and composer who is originally from Gainesville, F.L. He moved to Nashville in '02 after a decade and a half in NYC, where he worked in jazz, R & B and Broadway musicals. Will has toured with artists such as Gregory Porter, Bebe Winans, Suzy Bogguss, Crystal Gayle, the Gatlin Brothers and Steve Wariner. He has appeared on recordings by Gilbert O'Sullivan, Ms. Bogguss, Alison Brown, Benny Golson, the Gatlins, the Indigo Girls and many others.

A native of Nashville, T.N., David is the son of session fiddle king Buddy Spicher. He has performed with Crystal Gayle, Pam Tillis, the Jerry Douglas Band, Carolina Rain, Jim Lauderdale, Nickel Creek, polka queen Lynn Marie, the Nashville Symphony, John England & the Western Swingers, and his family’s own Nashville Swing Band.

Fred Carpenter started in music with 10 years of classical violin, switched to fiddling at age 17, and recorded his 1st solo fiddle album with Mark O’Connor at age 20. In 1982, he joined the Tony Rice Unit, touring for several years and recording two albums. Fred has called Nashville home for 30 years, and during that time has toured with several artists including Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Suzy Bogguss, Paul Overstreet, and of course, Kathy Mattea! In 1988, Fred also started a small Violin Shop in Nashville, offering instrument repair, restoration, sales, rentals, and in general, all things fiddle. Now celebrating 30 years, The Violin Shop has become the place-to-go for fiddlers everywhere. Fred has toured with Kathy whenever possible over the last 12 years in several configurations, including the 7-piece band, the Christmas tour, concerts with Symphony Orchestras, and as a quartet…or 2…. or 3!