Audie Blaylock and Redline

“Audie Blaylock’s mellow, wailing tenor and lightning-fast guitar picking have made him one of the names to watch in the world of traditional bluegrass.”–ALL MUSIC GUIDE

 There’s something in a name; and Redline, the name of Audie Blaylock’s hot-shot band, could not be more fitting.  Blaylock's vision for his sound involves an occasional glance in the rear view mirror, but with a heavy foot planted firmly on the accelerator, his music has a way of driving hard into the future.

Audie Blaylock’s musical journey is a familiar one in bluegrass music, having grown up in an Appalachian musical family, his musical education started early and led to him sharing the stage with some of bluegrass’ finest and most respected artists, including first generation bluegrass character and giant, Jimmy Martin, as well as Red Allen, Harley Allen, Lynn Morris, Michael Cleveland, and Rhonda Vincent.  

Yet a true artist is never content in the passenger’s seat, and this is where Blaylock’s path diverges from the familiar, well-beaten path on this old mountain side.  Blaylock wrapped his fingers around the steering wheel a dozen or so years ago, charting his own course and earning IBMA nominations and awards including Instrumental Group of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and a Grammy nomination.  

Since beginning Redline, Blaylock has recorded five band records, traveled to three continents, nearly two dozen countries, and shows no sign of applying the brakes.  The quintessential journeyman, he continues to write, compile, gather, and arrange music as only he can.  With 20/20 vision, he continues to honor his musical past through innovation and the neverending quest to arrange the pieces of his musical puzzle:  a unique vision and voice in an increasingly homogenized industry.  One thing is for sure, when Audie Blaylock climbs behind the wheel, you better hold on:  you’re going some place good, and you’ll get there in a hurry.

Evan started playing the banjo at age 11 and, simply put, never stopped.  Born in Indianapolis, IN (where he now lives), as a child Evan heard a cassette recording of Flatt and Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and has never been the same since.  Evan started playing with local bluegrass bands at age 14, and he joined Redline at age 17.  He currently holds the honor of being the only bluegrass banjo player who knows both Latin and Ancient Greek, and in addition to playing full-time with Redline he teaches Latin to gifted high school students at Ball State University.  Evan sings lead with the group in addition to almost every other part, and you should be on the lookout for a new solo album featuring his singing and playing which will be in the works very soon.

A native of West Liberty, OH, Reed was fascinated by blues and traditional Americana music from an early age.  By the time he was 16 Reed was playing in a Christian rock band with musicians thrice his age, and by the time he went to college he was playing mandolin in a bluegrass band.  While in college he completed an original research project on the now legendary recording "The Bluegrass Album," and his research was later cited in the official Tony Rice biography "Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story."  From 2005-2010 he played bass with several bands, including Unlimited Tradition, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, and Billie Renee and Cumberland Gap.  Since 2010 he has been the bassist for Redline, and Reed also teaches history in secondary school.  Reed is a prolific songwriter, having penned the song “The Road That Winds,” which Redline recorded as the theme for the Travel Channel series "Back Road Gold."  He holds the distinction of having told some of the best jokes in bluegrass music, and you might find him one of these days browsing a local antique store near you.

Originally from Rocky Mount, VA, Mason Wright began studying classical violin when he was seven years old and bluegrass fiddle at age nine.  It wasn't long before he was playing gigs at local coffee shops and attending fiddlers conventions.  At age twelve Mason and his siblings formed a family band and performed frequently at local venues and bluegrass festivals. While playing fiddle in the family band, Mason was also a member of the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra.  After high school Mason moved to Winchester, VA to attend Shenandoah Conservatory where he studied instrumental performance. While attending school, Mason joined bluegrass band Lonesome Highway. During his seven years with the band he gained valuable knowledge and experience in the world of bluegrass.  Mason has been playing fiddle for Redline since May of 2017. When he's not on the road with the band, Mason teaches bluegrass fiddle in Winchester, VA where he currently resides with his wife and daughter.