Raised to the strains of classic bluegrass, Dan Paisley and the Southern Grass learned the ropes first-hand as the sons (and eventually bandmates) of such beloved figures as Bob Paisley, Ted Lundy, and Donnie Eldreth. Honed over decades of playing festivals, honky-tonks, Legion halls, and everywhere in between, their sound proudly reflects the timeless bluegrass soul of their fathers – while imparting a razor’s edge intensity all their own. Over the course of his apprenticeship, Danny Paisley’s singing has become proud, fierce, hard-driving, spontaneous, and unafraid to take risks, and when combined with the Southern Grass’s solid base in tradition, the result is a band and an album for the ages. “Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass generate the kind of energy and excitement that can only be found in the engine of a finely tuned sports car. The band is perhaps one of the greatest rhythm sections in bluegrass music. Riding the wave of this machine are Danny’s vocals, soaring from powerhouse peaks to heart breaking whispers. I believe everything that Danny sings, and that to me is the mark of a truly gifted singer.” -Dudley Connell “This is so good I don’t know how to deal with it! Bluegrass music has been waiting for a record like this for a long, long time.”-Alison Krauss

Danny Paisley
and The Southern Grass continue to be deeply rooted in tradition, but look to the future with enthusiasm and anticipation. This coming year brings renewed excitement!  Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass have been selected to be an official IBMA Showcase Performer in 2011 and they are planning a new album with Rounder Records. 

Since Danny and Michael’s father Bob Paisley (founder of Southern Grass) passed away in 2004, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass have made their own niche in the bluegrass world. Their album, The Room Over Mine, earned accolades and significant chart action, and the song, "Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away" won the 2009 IBMA Award for Song of the Year and have garnered several IBMA nominations for Emerging Artist of The Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year. Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass are a national and international touring band who frequently get invited for return engagements.  Their list of notable festivals and events include: Rocky Grass, Grey Fox, Grass Valley, Del Fest, Wind Gap, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival and more. 

With Danny Paisley on guitar and Michael Paisley on bass, Southern Grass continues the family tradition from time to time adding Danny’s eleven year old son Ryan on mandolin, the next generation of up and coming pickers. Southern Grass also includes: Spencer Mobley of Raleigh, NC on mandolin; Mark Delaney (formerly with Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen, and Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac) on banjo; and Doug Meek  from York County PA (inspired by his grandfather fiddler) on fiddle.

Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. There is no hybrid or genre-bending music here. Their combination of instrumentation and vocals convey the energy and emotion of classic bluegrass and country music. Danny’s lead vocals will captivate your senses, so much so that many prominent musicians, including Alison Krauss, have considered Danny as one of their favorite singers.   His voice combines powerful range and soulful blues with a sound like no one else in bluegrass today.

Danny grew up listening to the music his father Bob played and enjoyed hearing--- the sounds of classic bluegrass like Red Allen, Mac Martin, Bill Monroe, the Stanleys, Reno and Smiley, and the Osbornes, as well as old time mountain music and traditional country music. Once you hear Danny sing, it comes as no surprise that he lists George Jones and Vern Gosdin as major influences in his singing.

Danny Paisley, born in Landenberg, PA in 1959, inherited the love and talent of this music and is proud to continue the family tradition. Gathering fans at each event, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, look forward with renewed energy as they bring their unique sound to audiences near and far.

“Marc Silver is living proof that singer/songwriters don’t need to shout outrageously shocking lyrical lines in order to attract well-deserved attention…His confessional songs draw you in, rather than drag you along… a truly noteworthy artist that walks quietly, but carries a big gift.” Dan MacIntosh, [Music Journalist]

For Marc Silver, music and writing is intensely personal. He says, “when stories appear in my mind’s eye or in a dream, it is like a firefly inside a little glass jar. I hold the jar to my forehead and try to extract the story encoded in the flashes within… In some ways, a good day of writing can be as gratifying and meaningful to me as crafting a song, although reliving the emotions in each performance is the true blessing of songwriting.”

Born in Missouri, Marc came from a family with an enduring love of music. As a child Marc found his first musical storytelling passion while composing themes to wild cowboy and Indian chases on the “black keys” (which he later came to know as the pentatonic scale). Piano and violin lessons in elementary school led Marc to buying his first electric guitar and amplifier (a B.C. Rich and Peavey) in 1992.

He began his guitar studies learning the blues, Phish, and Zeppelin songs with friends after school. In 1993, after winning the Missouri State Wrestling Championships, Marc stated in an exit interview that he was interested in pursuing music and starting a band. He’s been wrestling with the muse ever since.

Marc left the flatlands and moved east to study jazz and guitar at The University of The Arts. This was a great period of musical challenge and personal growth for Marc. Ultimately, though he did write and record an instrumental jazz-fusion record, Marc continued the struggle of finding his own voice in the music he was trying to express.

By 2006, working as a part-time music educator by day, Marc had compiled a list of original songs he felt were worthy of performing to live audiences. Weekly open mics all over the city helped develop his confidence while introducing him to other musicians who eventually became band mates. Bolstered by this new enthusiasm, Marc started writing “Nectars Sweet and Rare”, “Lay Me Down” and other songs which led to his first recording Stonethrowers.

By October 2008, just in time for their first appearance at the prestigious Philadelphia club, The Tin Angel, the final pieces

 of the band came together in what is now called Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers. They have since opened for Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Chuck Prophet, Hot Club of Cowtown, Moe, King Wilkie, and many other touring national acts. The band blends a passion for traditional song, Appalachian fiddle tunes, and country swing with a unique mix of original songwriting, bluegrass and folk music. Lead singing with great vocal character and seamlessly blended three-part vocal harmonies fill out their energetic delivery.

“Whether he yearns for love or sings of loss and chance encounters, Silver strikes a chord…Silver’s laidback singing mesmerizes the listener right away and begs all to stop and pay attention… Whether it’s his light finger picking on the title track or aggressive electric guitar interlude on “Devil’s Dust,” he manages to sooth and awaken the listener while at the same time provide mystique.” Annie Reuter –Music Journalist

Marc has traveled as a solo performer and with The Stonethrowers all over the East Coast. They have played prestigious venues like The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Café Lena, Club Passim, Godfrey Daniels, The Purple Fiddle, The World Café Live, The Kimmel Center, The Sherman Theater, Pickin’ In The Panhandle Bluegrass and BBQ festival (where they won the best new band contest in 2008), Musikfest and many more. In addition to public performances, The Stonethrowers are often invited to play private parties and university festivals at institutions such as Ithaca University, University of Pennsylvania, University Of The Arts, and The University of Delaware.

THE BAND
Marc’s Americana/Bluegrass band, The Stonethrowers, formed in January 2007 to coincide with the release of his first album, the eponymously named Stonethrowers. Since then, Marc has enjoyed the company of the band on three more recordings: Past Is Prelude (2008), Naive Lovers (2010), and California Avenue (2011). The band blends a passion for original and traditional songs, with a unique mix of country and popular music. Lead singing with great vocal character and seamlessly blended three-part vocal harmonies fills out their energetic delivery.

A Stonethrowers performance feels like kicking back in a good friend’s living room, the smoky sweetness of Marc’s voice like a good bourbon to round out the evening.  Stage banter brings the audience into an intimate conversation with the band as they navigate their nightly set lists.

Mike Hlatky on the upright bass and vocals is the passion and drive behind the bluegrass selections in The Stonethrowers band. Choice notes, a great feel, and the quickest draw this side of town with a vocal harmony, Mike is an adventure to have around and a blast to play music with.  Mike is featured on the albums Past Is Prelude , Naive Lovers, and California Avenue.  You can also hear Mike with his band The Keystone Mountain Boys, who play the best of the classics of the high and lonesome tradition.  They are Philadelphia’s best hard driving/high lonesome band!

Lewin Barringer joined the group in late 2009 offering his services as a singer and mandolin player.  Perhaps most loved in The Stonethrowers for his energy/stage presence, song selections, and dreamy hair styling, Lewin also updated the band with a fresh and timely YouTube makeover.  A songwriter in his own right (Broken Trophy), electric guitarist in Sunshine Superman, and worldly known for his YouTube page Garage Band and Beyond, Lewin always offers a refreshed take on the traditional.  Lewin made his first appearance on a Marc Silver record on Naive Lovers, and most recently made his lasting mark on The Stonethrowers new EP, California Avenue.

Isaac Stanford, a craigslist addition to the band, has brought tasty and ferocious finger picking, and an amazing variety of songs to the bands repertoire.  The longest lasting member of The Stonethrowers, Isaac has illuminated and enchanted Marc’s songs with his pedal steel prowess since 2006.  Isaac is also featured on Past Is Prelude, Naive Lovers, and California Avenue.
 

The Stonethrowers’ repertoire spans joyous and energetic improvisations to melodically mournful meditations on love and loss. With a song list of 4-5 hours, you’re likely to hear your favorite original songs as well as artists like The Beatles, Peter Rowan, George Jones, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Hank Williams, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Steve Earl, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, Ricky Skaggs and more.

The Stonethrowers have performed with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Jerry Douglas, Claire Lynch, Shawn Mullins, and Chuck Prophet, to name a few. Past performances include headlining appearances at The Kimmel Center, The Sellersville Theater, The World Cafe (Philadelphia & Wilmington), Musikfest, Penns Peak, The Tin Angel, and Main Stage at the 2010 Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Winner: Best Band at Pickin In The Panhandle Sept. 2008

Reviews
“ ‘Take back your heart/ I don’t want it no more,’ pleads Philly song-slinger Marc Silver on Past Is Prelude, his third album. Another tune finds him on similar footing: ‘I dont wanna leave just to learn/ All I need was inside your heart.’ Just as timeless as those sentiments is the plucky, bluegrass-tinged folk delivered so sharply by Silver and his regular band, The Stonethrowers. There’s banjo and mandolin, upright bass and pedal steel, and lots of harmonies raining down, all serving to brighten Silver’s somewhat mournful songwriting. But like the well-worn Appalachian tunes he looks to for inspiration, his own work is uplifting in its clear-eyed honesty.” – (Doug Wallen) Philadelphia Weekly Review: Nov. 2008

“A little bit of folk, a little bit of country and a whole lot of three-part harmonies add up to make this band one you don’t want to miss.”  Philly Metro: Jan. 2008

Acrossthetrack Bluegrass

"Playing for nearly 6 years together we have grown quickly and honestly.

Once we started playing together as a group it was a instant click, it was like we have been together for 20 years. With a mix of new and old our sound is like no other.

The band members have over 50 years combined playing bluegrass music.

We believe that to have a good band you must have fun when performing. Having fun makes the music what it truly should be."

Darin Wassum
Darin was born in Harford County and has lived here all his life. His musical roots run deep in the mountains of Southwest Virginia where his father (Dainer Wassum) was born and raised. He also comes from a musical background on his mother (Helen Wassum) side. His uncle, Russell Morrow, played locally in the area in the 60’s and 70’s as well as numerous performances at Sunset Park in Pennsylvania.

   Some of Darin’s musical influences are Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson and J.D Crow to name a few. Along with playing guitar, Darin also can play fiddle and banjo but only as a hobby. Darin has been playing music with James ever since they were young but only in the last few years have they started playing seriously.

   Performing live is when the love of the music really shows. Besides playing music, Darin is an avid sports fan and golfer.

Fred Long
Fred was born in Sugergrove, VA on January 29,1945,he began playing the Banjo at age 14 and has become known as one of the finest banjo players in state of Md. Moving to MD at the age of 18 Fred began playing in Bluegrass bands such as The Carolina Mountain Boys, Dean Sapp and the Harford Express and The Bluegrass Rebels maintaining his love for bluegrass music. Fred has brought to Acrossthetrack exactly what it needed to propel them to one the the Finest groups in the area. Fred has vocals like no other from the low toned growl to the burn it up grass we love he has been the best addition to the group. Fred's interests are coon hunting and playing his banjo aswell as a strong relationship with his family...

Rex Smith
With over 30 years of traveling around with Gospel bands, Rex makes a great addition to Acrossthetrack Bluegrass.