top of page
Meet Appalachian Smoke
Appalachian Smoke has found a sound reminiscent of the hollers of Southern Appalachia that they grew up in and yet, one quick and varied enough to push the envelope. It's made up of five songwriters, vocalists, and instrumentalists that are honored to sing about the history and ways of their home.
Mikel Laws
Vocals / Banjo / Guitar
You will never hear Mikel use the word banjo. He says "banjer" and he means it. Mikel is an integral part of the band with his hard driving banjo playing, lead and harmony vocals, occasional guitar, and songwriting. His influences range from Earl Scruggs to Ron Block. Mikel comes from Bryson City, NC, has been playing since he was 16, and was most influenced by his late great uncle, Teddy Greene. Mikel thanks his family and friends for always pushing him.
Jamie Mason
Vocals / Guitar / Banjo
Appalachian Smoke couldn’t have asked for a greater vocal talent than Jamie Mason. Jamie lends his lead voice to the group, as well as harmony, guitar, and occasional banjo. Originally from Culberson, NC, he has been making bluegrass music for 30 years now. Jamie recognizes improvement is unlikely if not impossible except with the support of others and thanks all that have helped him over the years.
Kenneth Rymer
Vocals / Dobro
Kenneth comes from Crandall, GA with some 30 years of serious musical ability; lonesome slides and high tenor. He models his harmony after Doyle Lawson's foundational work. Dobro is just one of the many instruments Kenneth plays. "I'd like to thank the good Lord. Without Him, I would not be where I am!"
Bj Taylor
Vocals / Mandolin / Octave
The mandolinist extroadinaire contributes a large amount of the lyrics that you hear from the band. He hails from the Nantahala community of Western North Carolina where he began playing at the age of twelve. Bill Monroe, being his first influence, was later joined by Wayne Benson to produce the unmistakable style of BJ's playing. BJ thanks his wife, Haylee, and his family for all their support.
Ronnie Parker
Vocals / Upright Bass
Ronnie Parker was born and raised in Southeast Missouri and today makes his home in his hometown of Bunker, Missouri.... He was raised in a musical family and started playing bass at the age of 10 years old...
He began playing bass in the regional bluegrass gospel band “New Highway,” the band that he considers his “Family Band,” at the age of 13 with his Uncle Randy Parker. Family friends Tim Sanders, Charlie Younger, and Stanley Eaton…. Ronnie sang lead as well as harmony and played bass with “New Highway” for 10 years... Afterwards taking a break from music to raise a family…. With musical credits more recent, being the bassist for “The David Parmley Band” as well as “Ashleigh Graham & Appalachian Highway,”
Ronnie’s musical and personal influences are a very important part of who he is today… Not only as an individual.. but also the musician that he has become...
He was heavily influenced by his musical family and friends that he grew up with and around. Along with crediting bassists Barry Bales… Blue Highway’s Wayne Taylor and the late Jason Moore as being some of his biggest influences and for helping him create his distinctive style and sound that you hear today…Ronnie's bass playing brings rock-solid timing… The way he attacks the strings is so precise, and his spacing between notes is impeccable….
He takes the entire band and basically walks through the song with tasteful and soulful bass lines… bringing to light and emphasizing everything you need to hear in the band…. Making the band glow by picking up what's about to happen in the song and bringing it to the spotlight...
When he’s not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his children. His Family and Friends... Along with enjoying all aspects of the outdoors on his family’s farm...
bottom of page