Born in Indiana; lived in Nashville, TN since 1995. Gretchen Priest is founder, & director of the Musical Heritage Center, aka Fiddle & Pick where she teaches Old-time, Irish, Bluegrass fiddle and other styles through private lessons, classes and hosts inclusive Traditional music jams and sessions.
She recently released a new record, “Roadside Distraction”, with mandolinist Emily Wilson (Old-time, Irish & wacky tunes). She also currently plays with The Nashville Irish Trio (Eamonn Dillon, Robert Johnson) and Erinn Peet-Lukes, and her long-time band, PLAIDGRASS. She has been on staff at many music camps, toured with Ceili Rain, Crucial Smith, played the Grand Ole Opry, and for many Nashville Artists; and played for the Pope!
Dave was fascinated by banjo but didn’t start playing til later in life. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, he now plays and teaches banjo, guitar, and dobro.
His love of music leads him to volunteer to teach Tucson’s Desert Bluegrass Association’s weekly, free workshops on bluegrass jamming techniques. As president of the Association, he works tirelessly to make their Bluegrass Festival (held in Marana) better each year.
Dave is a founding member of the 7 year old 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band. The band currently has 3 CDs out, the latest of which is “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch”.