The Lone Mountain Band

Original and traditional instrumentals and vocals always with a deep respect for the traditional music of the Appalachians, our shows are like a mini bluegrass variety show featuring each member of the band in several related styles of selections, including fiddle tunes, bluegrass banjo tunes, clawhammer banjo tunes, guitar tunes, and vocals, all presented with friendly and entertaining commentary. We want the crowd to feel like they are talking with old friends after our show.

Band Members:

Roy Curry was born in Warren Ohio. He has been playing guitar since the age of eleven. Roy has built a national reputation as one of the finest flatpickers around. He has entered every major contest for the guitar and wins way more than he loses. He is one of only a handful of people to ever win the “National Flatpick Guitar Contest” In Winfield Kansas more than once. Unlike most contest winners, Roy is equally good at playing in a band. His tasteful support is a big part of our band sound. Roy played with country stars “The Forester Sisters” from 1984-1987, playing on such respected stages as “The Grand Ole Opry” and the Kennedy Center. Roy also sings harmony parts with The Lone Mountain Band. His CD Flattop Specialist has received favorable reviews from several guitar magazines.

Diana Phillips was trained as a classical pianist. While in college in Virginia she was exposed to Bluegrass music and fell in love with it. After school she moved back to Chattanooga where she teamed up with former classmate Bobby Burns. Diana was also in the “Special Consensus”. In this band she and Bobby traveled the world playing music and honing their skills. In addition to her skills on the bass fiddle, Diana is an excellent singer and songwriter, and several of her songs have been featured on Lone Mountain Band recordings, as well as recordings done by other artists.

Bobby Burns was born into a musical family. He plays many instruments, but with the band plays mostly the mandolin and sometimes the fiddle or guitar on selected tunes. Bobby has played in professional bands since his teenage years. He is a full time luthier and repairman. Before the Lone Mountain Band, Bobby played with the Chicago based “Special Consensus” ,and was featured on their album Strong Enough To Bend. Bobby sings lead and harmony vocals and does most of the MC work for the band.

Jim Pankey, from Chatsworth Georgia, is the banjo player in the group. Jim has won many banjo contests. He has written for the “Banjo Newsletter.” Jim is a master of many banjo styles. He is an excellent Scruggs style player, but he often makes use of more contemporary styles. Jim was the 1999 Georgia State Championship on the clawhammer banjo. He also plays the fretless minstrel banjo. Jim is also on the Board of Directors for the American Yo-Yo Association. Both his clawhammer playing and his skill with a Yo-Yo are featured parts of all Lone Mountain Band shows.