Vernon McIntyre's Appalachian Grass

Vernon McIntyre's Appalachian Grass delivers a lively, entertaining stage show with lighting fast instrumentals, pretty waltzes, tight harmony singing, amusing novelty songs, plus a show stopping trick fiddling act. Their extensive repertoire ranges from bluegrass classics to material from diverse genres rendered in a bluegrass style to brand new original material.

Appalachian Grass has a completely professional demeanor. The band arrives on time, dresses appropriately, and is ready to do their part to enhance any event. All band members are personable and easy to work with.

Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass is a driving, five piece bluegrass band established in Cincinnati, OH during the 1960’s. Vernon’s years of playing both banjo and guitar with the greats of bluegrass have honed his skills as an entertainer and make him uniquely qualified to define the traditional bluegrass sound of the Appalachian Grass. He began his professional career at the age of 15 playing banjo with Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys. He has since played with Walt Hensley, Jimmy Martin, Jim McCall, James Monroe, Mac Wiseman, and Scott Stoneman. Vernon was also a founding member of the Bluegrass Pardners of Wheeling Jamboree fame and his banjo work with the Easterners is well remembered.

Through the years, Vernon has made several appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He appeared playing banjo with both Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys and with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys. When the Appalachian Grass was invited to perform at the Opry with Vernon as band leader, singer and guitarist, Vernon became one of the few who have been on that stage as a banjoist, a singer, and a guitarist.

Vernon has recorded many projects with Appalachian Grass that feature both his unique banjo style and his vocals and guitar work. Vernon’s matchless rhythm guitar is the bedrock for wife Kitty’s two fiddle instrumental recordings. During the 1970s, Vernon was a staff musician at Jewel Recording Studio and has contributed banjo and/or rhythm guitar tracks to innumerable recording sessions for entertainers such as Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Skinner, Charlie Moore, Rusty York, Lonnie Mack, Sid Campbell, JD Jarvis, Hylo Brown, and Bobby Grove.

Over the years, Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass has played concerts, festivals, fairs, colleges, radio, television, and exclusive nightclubs across the United States and Canada. In 1998, Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass won the CAMMY award for Best Bluegrass Band in the Cincinnati – Tri-State Area. The band’s exploits even include the grand opening dedication of an historic cemetery!

As emcee, lead singer, and rhythm guitar player, Vernon McIntyre infuses the Appalachian Grass with the warmth and spontaneity of a small family gathering even when playing for thousands of fans. He combines bluegrass history and stories with showmanship and humor to deliver top notch entertainment. Vernon’s wife, Kitty McIntyre, brings to the group some of the best bluegrass fiddling that you can hear. Audiences always enjoy her energetic performances as well as her trick fiddling act. Known for the quality of their singing, the group’s vocals are a blend of smooth and intricate harmonies that are a delight to hear. Hard-driving banjo by Robert Campbell, mandolin by Terry Johnson, and upright bass by Tammy Powers round out the Appalachian Grass sound.

With Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass on stage you’re sure to get old-fashioned entertainment at its best!