Junction 280 Bluegrass

Junction 280 is an energetic and engaging bluegrass/country/americana/gospel group. The four members of our band feature tight-knit vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumental prowess. We are energetic and engage our audiences with humor and professionalism. We are able to design our set lists to the audience we are playing for. Our band can play with house sound or we can furnish our own PA system for audiences of up to 500 in attendance for quality sound.
You will hear our band feature music steeped in the traditions of mountain music with a flair for the contemporary. We play a wide variety of music from classic bluegrass and gospel to country and 70's cover music.
Our band normally plays 1 hour to 3 hour sets with 10 minute breaks after each set. We specialize in private parties, wedding events, church events. Our band has also played in pubs, breweries and public events-we are equipped to play in a wide variety of venues.

How we began...
Junction 280 is a Hendersonville NC based bluegrass band formed originally abt. 2009 to enable a bunch of guys to get together every week or so to jam. This first bunch came up with the name of “Creeks-A-Risin” and were mostly “newbie” musicians. The original group was composed of Darren Allman, Robbie Laughter, Mike Murphy, Dave Shirlin, and Barry Walker. Soon Taylor Warren became briefly involved in the band until work and parenting intervened. Over the next few years, the band played many benefits, church events and began playing larger venues such as Feed & Seed, and Biltmore Church. As the band began to develop and mature, personnel change naturally occurred.

Around 2013, the band changed its name to Junction 280, an idea proposed by Robbie Laughter as he drove to work one day from Mills River. As the band evolved, we were always fortunate that Cliff Searcy was around to sub and fill in for absent members. Also, about that time Bill Burdett briefly joined the band as a Mandolin and Harmonica player. Later on, Josh Sims from Landrum, SC came on board with his outstanding vocals and instrumental work. However, distance and family obligations prevented his continuing participation.

All of the dedication and contributions of our past members made the band what it is today. We still perform many of our original numbers in concerts and it never fails that someone mentions that Mike, Darren, Dave, Bill or Josh sang a particular song. They are always fondly remembered and will forever be a foundation of Junction 280.

We have two separate Sound Systems depending on the need and venue:
Bose L1 Model 2 system with B1 Bass Module
Yamaha 500 watt system with twin 12" Yamaha Speakers on Towers for large venues
We normally run a single condenser mic for the band - Audio Technica AT4033 Large Diaphram Condenser Microphone. The upright bass is also mic'ed and uses a Fishman DI Box for input.

We provide our own sound unless a house tech is available to handle sound responsibilities.