The Kevin Prater Band

Situated in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, there is a small town of Belcher.  Listen closely and you might hear what is first thought to be the angels singing.  It is the sweet, crystal clear, high tenor voice of Belcher’s own multi-talented son of Bluegrass.   Add in his powerful and precise Mandolin, a few licks of his Guitar, Banjo, Bass and Dobro, you have the complete package of Kevin Prater.  Kevin began his musical voyage at the age of four.   Encouraged and mentored by his Uncle and biggest fan, Boone Estep.  At age 10, he formed his first band “Elkhorn Grass” .  Elkhorn Grass enjoyed 11 years of touring together.  Now, over thirty years later, Kevin has traveled millions of miles, played in 49 States and 24 countries.  Kevin has moved from being one of the best sidemen in Bluegrass to leading his own talented and unique band, from the hills of Appalachia, creating that Pure Kentucky Sound of the The Kevin Prater Band.

The Kevin Prater Band grew from a long musical association between Kevin Prater and Tom Timberlake. Beginning with the Timmy Cline Band in 1994 and continuing with Redwing in later years.  Years into Kevin's tenure with The James King Band, Tom began encouraging Kevin to do his own music, with his own band. Tom's persistence paid off. He put the fire under Kevin to pursue his dream of fronting his own band.  Soon they were forming The Kevin Prater Band. They started picking together again and working on new music with a couple of local musicians, playing their first show as "The Kevin Prater Band" in 2007.  Kevin has been blessed to showcase his many talents through out his amazing career.  His solid rhythm and lead is a driving force of the KPB sound. His vocals are the backbone of the group, which the music is built around.  Kevin has surrounded himself with veterans of Bluegrass Music, enabling them to create their unique style of Bluegrass and Gospel Music they are quickly becoming famous for. 

In reward for his musical contributions Kevin has been part of 2-"Album Of The Year", a "Song Of The Year' and a "Recorded Event of the Year'.  Additionally, Kevin has been nominated as "Banjo Player of the Year" and twice has received a proclamation for the State Representatives of the Great State of Kentucky for Preserving and Promoting Kentucky's "Pure Kentucky Bluegrass"

Jake Burrows,  has a huge resume of Bluegrass knowledge and experience for his young age.    Heavily influenced by Earl Scruggs style, Jake. brings a firey Banjo to the KPB as well as an emotion filled Dobro.  Jake has a vast knowledge of Bluegrass music, which is evident in his ability to sing any part.  Jake has one of the strongest and highest Tenor voices in the business.  In addition to playing and instrument and singing any part, Jake also teaches private lessons on various instruments.   

 Mallory Hindman, 17 year old extermely talented Fiddle and vocals is an exciting addition to The KPB.  She is currently doing homeschooling in her junior year and is also enrolled in classes at Glenville State College Appalachian Music studies under Megan Darby.  Mallory has been blessed to play with many great fiddle players including Eddie Stubbs, Byron Berlin and many others.  Mallory is a great fan of Kenny Baker style playing.  Kenny Baker once said "I've never met a fiddle player I couldn't learn something from".  In Mallory's travels she has found this to be true.  She looks forward to learning and participating in every experience that occurs in her musical future.  This is Mallory's first touring experience.  She has hit the ground running.  Not only is she musically talented, she has an incredible voice and knows how to sing parts.  

Gary Isenhour , Lead and Rhythm Guitar.   Gary hails from Stony Point, NC.  Gary's soulful vocals, coupled with his hard driving, award winning, flatpicking style are a true asset to the KPB.   His Lead, Tenor and Baritone vocals, combined with Rhythm Guitar reflect expert musicianship.  Gary has played with various bands including Dewey Farmer & Powder Creek, Harold Killian & Catawba River Boys, Dry Run Bluegrass Band, Sons of the South and a brief stint with L. W. Lambert and the Blue River Boys.  He has been fortunate to open for Country Gentlemen, Bobby Hicks, Blue Highway and Jeanette Williams Band.  Early influences include Tony Rice, George Schuffler, Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene.

Jacob Northern, A 19 year old bass player from West Virginia with a huge bluegrass background.  He began his bluegrass journey playing electric bass in church.  Soon he picked up the upright bass with encouragement from his older brother.  Playing music became natural for Jakob and his siblings.  Taking first place in "Hinton's Got Talent", kicked off a 18 month stretch playing local and regional gigs.

Jacob became a member of Streamliner Bluegrass Band, playing at "Hills of Home" festival in Coeburn, VA.  Jacob met The Po' Ramblin' Boys, The Alex Leach Band, Ralph Stanley II, Kevin Prater and his favorite  bass player Jasper Lorentzen.  Since then he has played with The Alex Leach band at The World Famous Station Inn and with Seth Mulder & Midnight Run at Ole Smokey Distillery.  

 The Kevin Prater Band sound comes from a wide range of influences and musical heroes. The Original Seldom Scene, The Country Gentlemen, Osborne Brothers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Red Allen, The Stanley Brothers, Boone Estep & The Ramblin' Grass are among the different styles of music they have all admired and studied together throughout the years.  Also steeped in the tradition of Gospel music, they pride themselves on the a capella hymns and great gospel songs that people have come to enjoy. The band also includes Classic Country and Vintage Rock in their repertoire, insuring no two shows of The Kevin Prater Band are the same.  

Members of the band are great friends, enjoy making great music and look forward to a long future together.  The band enjoys traveling, reconnecting with old friends, making new fans and  hope their music will bring attention to the "Pure Kentucky Bluegrass & Gospel Music" they have become known for.  Watch for Kevin Prater and The Kevin Prater Band at a show near you.  Great things are happening and they want you to be a part of it.
 


 

The Kevin Prater Band Videos