Ned Luberecki

Ned Luberecki is an all around bluegrass legend: he’s the 2023 IBMA Broadcaster Of The Year, 2018 IBMA Banjo Player Of The Year, and, in 2024 , Ned is being inducted into the American Banjo Museum’s Hall Of Fame. He’s an incredible music educator and he’s really funny. Ned was a member of Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band, The Rarely Herd and, most recently, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers for over a decade. The Baltimore, Md., native, who now makes his home in Nashville, Tenn., is a partner in the Nedski & Mojo duo and a favored guest on stage and in studio with artists ranging from Jim Lauderdale to Tony Trischka to Ray Stevens to Sam Bush. Since the early 1980s, Ned has maintained a busy schedule of private lessons, along with workshops and camps in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe. He is the author of Alfred Publications three-part Complete 5-String Banjo Method and has pioneered on-air instruction with his popular “More Banjo Sunday” and “The Sunday Banjo Lesson” on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, where he also hosts the regular newgrass show, “Derailed,” keeping us laughing all the way down the road. For several years now, Ned has also been the voice of the IBMA awards show. He and his Bluegrass Junction compadres were honored with a 2016 IBMA Distinguished Achievement award. Check out his critically-acclaimed latest album, Take Five, when you have a moment, as well as his new series of instructional videos for TrueFire.com. His latest single, “Back In Baltimore” is available wherever you grab your music. Visit Ned online at nedski.com.

 

Daniel Hardin

By day, Daniel is a master machine operator at the Jack Daniels Distillery in his hometown, Lynchburg, Tenn., where he has been employed since 2004. Daniel performed professionally for three years with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. He also did a stint with the Nashville-based band Cages Bend. Daniel toured extensively with both groups throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the U.K. Daniel’s high harmony and low four can be heard on the albums Now I’m Lonely by Cages Bend, Valerie’s No Summer Storm and, as well as on all of Becky’s albums on the Dark Shadow Recording label. Daniel does not have a website, but you can catch him on Facebook.

 

Wes Lee

Wes Lee is the 2001 MerleFest mandolin champion from Gainesville, Ga., who previously performed with Becky in Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. His picking was featured on Valerie’s That’s What Love Can Do album. For the past 16 years, Wes has worked for the further processing division Springer Mountain Farms and is currently a senior coordinator. He jumped at the chance to play music again with friends he considers family. Visit with Wes on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Jacob Groopman

At age 12, Richmond, Va., native Jacob Groopman became captivated by the guitar, immersing himself in rock, blues, and jazz. But it wasn’t until his time at Oberlin Conservatory that he really dug into early American roots, bluegrass, and finger-style blues. This diverse skill set served Jacob well when he settled in the San Francisco Bay Area to begin his professional music career, beginning with the Albino! Afrobeat Orchestra as well as various bluegrass and country groups. Along the way, he has always taught both private instrumental music, group classes, and even facilitated musical summer camps in various states from Alaska to Wisconsin. Jacob is best known in the bluegrass music world for his work with his wife, Melody Walker, in their band, Front Country, one of only three groups in history to win both the prestigious RockyGrass and Telluride band competitions. Their critically-acclaimed, eclectic brand of original bluegrass and roots music caught the attention of NPR, Rolling Stone, and American Songwriter. After Front County went on hiatus in 2021, Jacob was part of several high profile tours with Americana artists The War and Treaty and Rachel Baimain in addition to duo performances with Melody. He also opened his own booking/management agency. Rosewood Artists currently represents Laurie Lewis, The Slocan Ramblers, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit. When not on tour with the Becky Buller Band, Jacob, Melody, and their cat can be found at home in Nashville, Tenn., biking, cooking, or doing yoga. Check out his 2021 solo album, Through The Gates, and visit him online at: JacobGroopman.com.   

 

 

Grace's music is described as a little bit of folk, a little bit of country/americana, and a whole lot of soul.

Grace is the winner of many of the nation’s most prestigious songwriting contests, grants, and residencies, including NPR’s Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico. Grace’s songs have been recorded by other esteemed artists, including Sara Hickman and Ruthie Foster, with 3 co-writes on Foster's latest, Grammy-nominated album, Healing Time (2024). 

Grace was an official showcasing artist at SXSW and Folk Alliance International this year (2024).  She has independently released three acclaimed records and signed with MPress Records in 2020. Her debut album on MPress, Working Woman (2021), was produced by lauded singer-songwriter Mary Bragg, mixed by 2x Grammy® award winner Shani Gandhi (Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical), and featured an all-female/non-binary band and creative credits. Guest contributions came from Indigo Girls, Ruthie Foster, Dar Williams, and other luminaries.