West End String Band

About

The West End String Band is an exciting new combination of musicians dedicated to playing and performing traditional bluegrass music with modern appeal. We regularly play for weddings, receptions, reheasal dinners, oyster roasts, and at regional venues such as bars, restaurants, picking parlors, acoustic stages, and festivals. Band includes: Charlie McDaniel, guitar and vocals, moved to the upstate area about 20 years ago from Rutherford County, N.C. He was a member of the popular regional band, Hickory Flat, for over 20 years. Hickory Flat brought home a top 10 finish in the SPGMA bluegrass band world championship, followed by several busy years on the festival circuit. Charlie‘s soulful singing puts the blues in bluegrass.

After moving to Greenville, Charlie met his wife-to-be Kathy. She grew up singing American traditional songs with her father in Northwestern Ohio. As a percussionist in high school, she won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for piano. Kathy became a die-hard bluegrass fan the first time she attended the popular Pickin’ at Pickens Bluegrass Festival. After going to bluegrass jams and shows with Charlie, she decided to take up a new instrument. Her great timing and true love for the music made the bass a great choice for her. She anchors the group now with her rock solid timing and harmony vocals.

Charlie and Kathy played around Greenville for a year or so as a duet, playing bluegrass, folk, and acoustic blues, always longing for a banjo to take their music back to its traditional roots. They were ecstatic when Jim Rollins joined the group with his superb banjo playing and high lonesome vocals.

Jim Rollins, a Clemson graduate, hails from the DC area, and currently lives in Simpsonville, SC. His style, though steeped in traditional bluegrass, is versatile and creative. Jim’s voice will pull your heartstrings. He has had the honor of being a Sunny Mountain Boy with Jimmy Martin, as well as playing tour dates with Dale Ann Bradley, The Blinky Moon Boys and many others.

Matt Purinton, of Six Mile, SC, adds his unique mandolin and deep rich baritone to the West End String Band sound. Matt previously played and toured extensively with Narrow Gauge Band and the Ashley Caudill Band.

Personnel

Charlie McDaniel: guitar and vocals
Kathy McDaniel: bass fiddle and vocals
Jim Rollins: banjo and vocals
Matt Purinton: mandolin and vocals

Influences

Our band is influenced by tradtional bluegrass performers such as Jimmy Martin, Seldom Scene, Carter Stanley to the old country sounds of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Bubk Owens, old George Jones, and Waylon Jennings. We also enjoy performing songs that people love like Graham Parsons tunes and Grateful Dead Covers. We look at a song and make it our own.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 180 minutes

The client can expect our band to arrive in plenty of time before the event, professionally dressed, ready to set up our sound, tune up and perform. We are flexible on length of gig and will tailor our performance to your event, honoring requests, listening and responding to your needs for the event, whether large or small. We offer you a choice of a 3, 4, or 5 piece band. We can perform traditional bluegrass, old country, and modern acoustic songs. We tailor our performances to satisfy the preferences of the client.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
We need electricity, if you want us to run sound. If it is outdoors, good to have a canopy for weather protection.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Our set lists vary depending on the event.

Experience

2011: 78 gigs

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Christmas Party, Church Service, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Fair, Festival, Funeral Service, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Private Party, Restaurant, Retreat, Reunion, Sporting Event, Studio Session, Trade Show, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception