Sounds of Grass
Formed in 1972, the SOUNDS OF GRASS
have combined the very best in vocal harmony along with driving musicianship
to create one of the best live shows in bluegrass music today. Based
in Charleston, South Carolina, they have become very popular on the
resort circuit where they have performed for U.S. senators and
people from all over the world. Voted the best bluegrass band in the
southeast at the Pizza-Hut regional competition in 1997 the
"Sounds" (as they have been nicknamed) have performed at
bluegrass festivals in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia
and Tennessee. At the National Cornbread Festival for Martha White
Flour, they were both opening act and back-up band for Grand Ole
Opry star Bill Anderson
Ernie Craft - Ernie is largely responsible for the reformation of the current Sounds of Grass. An original member of the 1972 version he helped re-form this group in 1995. A powerful tenor singer and bass player, Ernie started playing in his Fathers band while still a youngster. Since that time he has traveled and performed up and down the east coast. Ask anyone who’s ever spent any time with Ernie and they will all tell you the same thing. He’s not bashful.
Gary Payne
- Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Gary moved to Charleston,
S.C. while in the U.S. Navy. A very talented banjo player who has
his own sound company called G P Sound. Gary also handles all the
business for the Sounds of Grass, which keeps both him and the band
very busy. While not playing the banjo or doing sound jobs Gary
enjoys fishing but only in the ocean. That’s pretty strange for a
boy from the mountains of Tennessee.
David Smith
- Multi-talented is the best description for David. Prior to joining
the “Sounds” he was playing banjo with a popular
Bluegrass-Gospel band. When the guitar job came open in the Sounds
of Grass everyone knew he would be the perfect pick. Great guitar
player and wonderful singer David’s baritone harmony is second to
none. While not traveling with the band David enjoys “doin a
little
fishin”.
Rocky Springs
- Resonator guitar player and singer Rocky Springs has been with the
“Sounds” since December of 1997. Prior to that time Rocky worked
with various bands and also had his own bluegrass radio show on WKSY
in Florence S.C. Growing-up in the Springs family music came very
naturally. Rocky’s cousin Peanut is the mandolin player for the
“Sounds” and both of Rocky’s children are very talented
singers and musicians.
James
"Peanut" Springs
- Another original 1972 member of the Sounds of Grass, Peanut has
gained the reputation as one of the finest mandolin players around.
Performing on radio and TV. and on countless recordings for other
artists his mandolin talent is no secret among bluegrass fans and
musicians. Peanut is currently playing a F-5 model CORKY mandolin
that he says is one of the best instruments he’s ever played. When
not playing the mandolin you can usually find Peanut drinking
coffee.
AUDIO SAMPLES
All I ever loved
was you
Note: The
Sounds Of Grass can do most standard Bluegrass tunes
9 Pound Hammer
All I Ever Loved Was You
Big Man
Blackberry Blossom
Blue
Moon Of Kentucky
Blue Night
Blue Ridge Cabin Home
Bluegrass Breakdown
California Cotton Fields
Cindy
Cripple Creek
Dark Hollow
Daybreak In Dixie
Dueling Banjos
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Fox On The Run
Freeborn Man
Hard Hearted
Hot Corn, Cold Corn
How Mountain Girls Can Love
I Know U Rider
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
I’ll Go Steppin’ Too
If I Lose
John Henry
Katy Daley
Little Cabin Home On The Hill
Little Georgia Rose
Little Maggie
Lonesome Road Blues
Long Journey Home
Love Please Come Home
Molly & Tenbrooks
More Pretty Girls
Mountain Dew
Mr. Engineer
Nobody’s Love Is Like Mine
Ol’ Joe Clark
Ol’ Slewfoot
Old Home Place
On My Way Back To The Old Home
Paradise
Pig In A Pen
Pike County Breakdown
Rabbit In A Log
Rawhide
Red Haired Boy
Rocky Top
Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
Salty Dog
Sittin’ On Top Of The World
Soldier’s Joy
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sunny Side Of The Mountain
Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin’
Think Of What You’ve Done
Uncle Pen
Wabash Cannonball
Wheelhoss
Whiskey Before Breakfast
White Dove
Wildwood Flower
