The Becky Buller Band
Ned Luberecki
Ned is the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player Of The Year and an all-around bluegrass legend. Ned is an incredible banjo picker and music educator. Ned is funny. He was a member of Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band, The Rarely Herd and, most recently, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers for over a decade. The Baltimore, MD, native, who now makes his home in Nashville, TN, is a partner in the Nedski & Mojo duo and a favored guest on stage and in studio with artists ranging from Jim Lauderdale to Tony Trischka to Ray Stevens to Sam Bush. Since the early 1980s, Ned has maintained a busy schedule of private lessons, along with workshops and camps in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe. He is the author of Alfred Publications three-part Complete 5-String Banjo Method and has pioneered on-air instruction with his popular “More Banjo Sunday” and “The Sunday Banjo Lesson” on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, where he also hosts the regular newgrass show, “Derailed,” keeping us laughing all the way down the road. For several years now, Ned has also been the voice of the IBMA awards show. He and his Bluegrass Junction compadres were honored with a 2016 IBMA Distinguished Achievement award. Ned is a 2020 SPBGMA DJ Of The Year nominee. Check out his critically-acclaimed latest album, Take Five, when you have a moment, as well as his new series of instructional videos for TrueFire.com. Visit Ned online at Nedski.com.
Ned Luberecki
Ned is the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player Of The Year and an all-around bluegrass legend. Ned is an incredible banjo picker and music educator. Ned is funny. He was a member of Paul Adkins & The Borderline Band, The Rarely Herd and, most recently, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers for over a decade. The Baltimore, MD, native, who now makes his home in Nashville, TN, is a partner in the Nedski & Mojo duo and a favored guest on stage and in studio with artists ranging from Jim Lauderdale to Tony Trischka to Ray Stevens to Sam Bush. Since the early 1980s, Ned has maintained a busy schedule of private lessons, along with workshops and camps in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe. He is the author of Alfred Publications three-part Complete 5-String Banjo Method and has pioneered on-air instruction with his popular “More Banjo Sunday” and “The Sunday Banjo Lesson” on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, where he also hosts the regular newgrass show, “Derailed,” keeping us laughing all the way down the road. For several years now, Ned has also been the voice of the IBMA awards show. He and his Bluegrass Junction compadres were honored with a 2016 IBMA Distinguished Achievement award. Check out his critically-acclaimed latest album, Take Five, when you have a moment, as well as his new series of instructional videos for TrueFire.com. Visit Ned online at Nedski.com.
Daniel Hardin
By day, Daniel is a master machine operator and fire fighter at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in his hometown, Lynchburg, Tenn., where he has been employed since 2004. Daniel performed professionally for three years with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. He also did a stint with the Nashville-based band Cages Bend. Daniel toured extensively with both groups throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the U.K. Daniel’s high harmony and low four can be heard on the albums Now I’m Lonely by Cages Bend, Valerie’s No Summer Storm and, as well as all of Becky’s albums on the Dark Shadow Recording label. Daniel does not have a website, but you can catch him on Facebook.
Wes Lee
Wes Lee is the 2001 MerleFest mandolin champion from Gainesville, Georgia, who previously performed with Becky in Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. His picking was featured on Valerie’s That’s What Love Can Do album. For the past 16 years, Wes has worked for the further processing division (aka “Chicken Logistics”) at Springer Mountain Farms and is currently a senior coordinator. He jumped at the chance to play music again with friends he considers family. Visit with him on Facebook.
Wes Lee
Wes Lee is the 2001 MerleFest mandolin champion from Gainesville, Georgia, who previously performed with Becky in Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. His picking was featured on Valerie’s That’s What Love Can Do album. For the past 16 years, Wes has worked for the further processing division (aka “Chicken Logistics”) at Springer Mountain Farms and is currently a senior coordinator. He jumped at the chance to play music again with friends he considers family. Visit him on Facebook.
Jacob Groopman
At age 12, Richmond, Va., native Jacob Groopman became captivated by the guitar, immersing himself in rock, blues, and jazz. But it wasn’t until his time at Oberlin Conservatory that he really dug into early American roots, bluegrass, and finger-style blues. This diverse skill set served Jacob well when he settled in the San Fransisco Bay Area to begin his professional music career, beginning with the Albino! Afrobeat Orchestra as well as various bluegrass and country groups. Along the way, he has always taught private instrumental music, and group classes, and even facilitated musical summer camps in various states from Alaska to Wisconsin. He is best known in the bluegrass music world for his work with his wife, Melody Walker, in their band, Front Country, one of only three groups in history to win both the prestigious RockyGrass and Telluride band competitions. Their critically-acclaimed, eclectic brand of original bluegrass and roots music caught the attention of NPR, Rolling Stone, and American Songwriter. After Front County went on hiatus in 2021, Jacob was part of several high-profile tours with Americana artists The War and Treaty and Rachel Baimain in addition to duo performances with Melody. He also opened his own booking/management agency. Rosewood Artists currently represents Laurie Lewis, The Slocan Ramblers, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit. When not on tour with the Becky Buller Band, Jacob, Melody, and their cat can be found at home in Nashville, Tenn., biking, cooking, or doing yoga. Check out his 2021 solo album, Through The Gates, and visit him online at: JacobGroopman.com.