Bio
Jimmy
I want one of those “little guitars”, a 7 year old Jimmy told his father while attending his first bluegrass festival. That “little guitar” he was referring to was of course a mandolin. It would be a few years before he got his own real mandolin but from that day on he was hooked. Not unlike John, Jimmy’s first attempt at a musical instrument was a dulcimer. His father purchased one and they learned to play it together until he got his first mandolin at age 11. He would go on to learn the guitar, both electric and acoustic, the bass and even a little keyboard. His bluegrass influences range from Bill Monroe to the contemporary sounds of today’s bands.
John
Fascinated by the sound of the banjo” are the actual words written in John Arnold’s baby book at age 3 by his mother, Nancy. His parents got him a banjo for Christmas at age 10; however they were convinced that it would be too difficult to learn to play. The banjo was then sold and music would never come up again until age 14 when John’s sister started dating local musician Paul Roomsburg. He got John interested in the lap dulcimer and they played mostly old-time tunes for anyone who would listen. John then learned to play the banjo and helped form the popular Romney area band South Branch Bluegrass along with his brother-in-law Paul and current band mate Jody Southerly and former band mate Tim Southerly. This band played locally and in the tri-state area from 1980 until 1995. In 1995, John and Jody joined with two other Hampshire County residents Jimmy Kountz and Mark Gibson to form a group called First Tyme Around to play mainly at a local establishment on a weekly basis. They also performed at other local functions until the spring of 1996. Some of John’s early musical influences were Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Flatt and Scruggs, The Squires, Terry Baucom and Sammy Shelor.
Buddy
An awesomely talented young musician currently living in Wardensville, WV, Buddy Dunlap adds greatly to Lonesome Highway’s sound with his powerful rhythm guitar and fluent lead breaks and fills. Buddy is also and accomplished songwriter and writes a lot of LH’s original tunes and well as adding another dimension vocally. He sings lead and harmony vocals as well as plays banjo, mandolin and bass. Buddy start playing around the age of 16 and played with the gospel band All 4 Hym before helping to form the bands Blue Light Special and Driving Force, both great young bands with talented pickers and singers. You’re sure to enjoys Buddy’s talent and creativity. He’s currently working on his first solo project which contains mostly original material and host a lot of talented musicians helping him out.
Mason
Originally from Rocky Mount, VA, Mason Wright began studying classical violin when he was six years old, but it wasn’t long before he found himself playing bluegrass at the age of eight.
Around the age of twelve Mason began performing music with his siblings in their family band, The Wright Kids. The band, consisting of Mason and two of his 4 younger siblings, recorded their first album “Havin’ Fun” in 2005 which included guest artists Dale Perry on Banjo and former Lonesome River Band member Jeff Midkiff on Mandolin.
Throughout middle and high school, Mason regularly competed in competitions, both for classical violin and bluegrass fiddle, capturing multiple blue ribbons and trophies. In 2006, Mason was one of only eight violinists to be accepted to the Virginia Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts and month long workshop, held at the University of Richmond. While Mason was busy playing bluegrass with the family band, he was also a first violinist in the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra.
After six years and two albums with the Wright Kids, Mason was off to begin his college career at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA studying violin performance to further his classical education.
Since July of 2009 Mason has been having a blast playing fiddle for Lonesome Highway.
Cody
Cody Brown is the newest member of Lonesome Highway joining the band in May of 2010. Cody is a great bass player and played a few years back in a talented young band with Buddy Dunlap called Driving Force. He adds another dimension to the Lonesome Highway sound with solid dynamic bass playing as well as great animation on stage. Cody grew up and lives in Madison, VA.
