Michael Jones: Banjo & Vocals

Mike is from Blue Ridge, Virginia. In 1978, he bought his first banjo after listening to the "Bonnie and Clyde" album by Flatt and Scruggs. His favorite banjo is the Gibson he has had for over 30 years. His solid banjo playing has earned him several awards over the years, along with being a great addition to several bands including the Leonards and most notably, Lonesome River Band. This year, Mike, along with Gary, Mark and Guy reformed New Tradition Band. "Once again back home" Mike says. His biggest influences are Earl Scruggs, JD Crowe, Bill Emerson, Kenny Ingram, and Gene Parker. Mike would like to thank Billy Edwards, Gene Parker, Sammy Shelor, and Troy Spencer for all their help.

Guy Ferguson: Mandolin, Fiddle & Vocals

Guy plays mandolin with New Tradition and has a long background of bluegrass music in and around central/southwest Virginia. While growing up with the old-time sounds coming from his father’s fiddle, he soon developed a love for bluegrass and has spent a lifetime playing it. From the early days as guitarist with bands such as the Upland Express, Bluegrass America, and B.G. Express, to more recent activities such as mandolinist with Eden’s Road, there have been many stops in between and many trips up and down the highway to pursue his lifelong ambition to further Mr. Monroe’s music. He makes his home on Smith Mountain Lake with his wife Layne, where he has also been known to pursue the elusive striped bass when he isn’t teaching mandolin and guitar students or trading musical instruments.

Mark "Rabbit" Ramsey: Bass & Vocals

Mark started playing music around age 9 with his Dad and brothers. "I originally played banjo and was early influenced by Don Reno and Red Smiley and the Stanley Brothers. My Dad listened to them a lot, however, the first time I heard the Country Gentlemen, I thought this was the best thing I'd ever heard," During his teenage years he listened a lot to the Country Gentleman as well as the Seldom Scene, JD Crowe and the Bluegrass Cardinals. "My Dad and my brothers and I pretty much just played around the house. Once in a blue moon we would play at an auction on Saturday afternoon in Glade Hill. I think I was about 11 or 12 at that time. I played for a little while with a local band when I was in the 9th grade. They were called the Country Moods. The leader was a local DJ who pretty much did country music on bluegrass instruments. After that, I didn't play any more in a band outside my family until I was about 16. I played mandolin in a band called Grass Connection with Gregg Stump, Robbie Hodges and a guy named Lindsey Turner. When Lindsey left I switched over to bass and Guy Ferguson came in to play mandolin. In college, I played with a couple of buddies named Mark Archey and Tony Shorter (Nothin' Fancy) in a band called Rapid Express. We had several banjo players (usually Greg Stump) depending on who was available at the time. We did a lot of jamming and would play fraternity parties or the Fiddle and Banjo Club.  After I got out of Air Force in 1991, I played with Guy, Eli Williams (Blue Mule) and Stuart Warner (Harwell-Grice Band), for a couple years. In early 1994, I got into a band that we eventually called Second Helpin'. The group won First place Bluegrass Band at the Old Fiddlers Galax Convention. We did a bluegrass version of Jimmy Dean's entry for the new state song of Virginia. Mr Dean was a hoot to spend an aternoon with. After Second Helpin' I wound up playing with my cousin's children called The Wright Kids. I was there from the fall of 2002 until early 2008. They were an absolute blast to pick with and I always said I would hang around until they outgrew me and they did. My biggest influences as far instruments and singing go were probably Tom Gray and Ed Ferris on the bass and my all-time favorite bluegrass singer is Charlie Waller. There are a ton of great tenor singers out there. If I had to narrow it down I think my favorite tenor singer of all time is John Duffy. He could really hit the high notes and had incredible clarity.

Gary John: Guitar & Vocal

Gary plays rhythm guitar and handles lead and harmony vocals. He started playing guitar at a young age after learning a few chords from his dad and friends. When he was a teenager, Gary joined Deep South and performed at the Roanoke Fiddle and Banjo Club and local fiddler's conventions. He has performed and recorded for many years with several bluegrass and country bands, including The Bluegrass Brothers, Inheritance, Burnt Biskits, and most recently, the Locust Mountain Boys. Gary has placed in several vocal, guitar, and mandolin competitions through out the years, including First Place Folk Song at the Old Fiddler's Convention held each year in Galax, Virginia. His early influences include Lester Flatt, Keith Whitley, Tony Rice and John Starling. Gary, along with Mike Jones, Bobby Moore, Bob Giles, and later, Brewster Hubbard, originally formed New Tradition Band in 1981. The band stayed very active around the Roanoke bluegrass scene for several years. Earlier this year, Gary, with Mike Jones, Guy Ferguson, and Mark "Rabbit" Ramsey, reformed the New Tradition Band. He is very excited about this new combination and looking foward to working with these good friends and talented musicians.