Joe is a native Texan and has been playing banjo for 34 years. At the age of 16 he fell in love with bluegrass music and banjo playing. Joe said "We always had a piano and guitar and singing around the house growing up. I sang in the church choir for about 3 years in the late 90’s." Joe started going to bluegrass workshops and jams in 2001 in the Dallas area, including being a regular at the Garland square and Southwest bluegrass club meetings since 2001. Joe has played banjo in three bands prior to "The Texas Prairie Band": Lost River Bluegrass Band 2002-2003, Blue Valley Band 2003-2007, and a short stint with Allen Hurt and the Mountain Showmen 2008-2009. In a band situation Joe believes it’s important to listen and try to compliment the whole unique unit. To Joe the fun part is getting a "tight" sound, as well as getting a positive response from the listeners. Joe had a Christian up-bringing as a Baptist, was saved and born again at the ripe age of 7 years! Joe has been heavily involved in non-denominational Christian ministry since 1982. Joe's and his awesome wife Debbie were married in 1985. They raised two daughters (Danielle and Brandy), and their only son, Sam, who is now 23 years old. Their two daughters are married and they now are blessed with six grandchildren (four in Oklahoma and two in Houston). Joe said "We are so blessed and I’m so thankful." and "I believe that without God we are nothing but a mess and with Him all things are possible, and that he gives us the desires of our heart as we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." Well, you can't say it any better than that!
Click Here For Joe's Myspace
Al Castleman - Guitar
Al Castleman joins us with plenty of valuable bluegrass experience. He played, sang and performed for "The Good News Band" for five years and is very active in his Church music ministry. Al is a retired Dallas police officer, so the rest of us have to be on guard at all times! TPB is so fortuante to have Al on the team and we look forward to his fellowship.
Meredith Brown - Guitar
Meredith graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachellor of Fine Arts degree in theatre in May of 2007. She has been playing the guitar since 5th grade, and discovered the beauty of bluegrass music when she performed for the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre in Ferrum, VA shortly after graduation. Since then, no one could have stopped her from jammin' out on her favorite southern gospel tunes! Meredith was born and raised in Abilene, Texas and moved to Fort Worth to take a job in marketing at an independent investment advisory firm downtown. She is continually thankful to her family for providing their overwhelming support and to the Lord for his daily grace and providence over her.
Buzz Busby - Bass fiddle
The band welcomes our newest family member, Buzz Busby! After playing the electric bass for 25 plus years traveling the road with touring country bands and doing shows with the likes of Mel Tillis, Johnny Rodriquez , George Jones, and many gigs with another Jones boy Gerald [acoustic camp wizard], Buzz put music down for some time. Then later when he found bluegrass and the upright bass he knew there this was what the lord gave him the gift to rightfully do. Buzz brings many years of experience in bass and rhythm sections and loves to drive the band. Mike Bub and Missy Rains are inspirations and friends that have guided his bluegrass upright playing. Patrick Bouldin - Mandolin Patrick's been pickin' the mandolin since only 2001. Before that he was strumming guitar chords for a praise worship band. So of course his "stage experience" is much less than his "band of brothers". Patrick said "that's why I rely so heavily on these guys, they have the know-how and experience, and I just manage the schedule and logistics. These guys are the real artists". As far as getting started in Bluegrass, Patrick said "I was invited to participate in a live bluegrass jam and simply got hooked right off the bat!" and "The variety of instruments provided a whirlwind of musical sensation on-par with a full symphony. There's a different sound coming from every direction." Patrick has studied greats like Bill Monroe, Jesse McReynolds, Doyle Lawson, Ricky Skaggs and Sam Bush. "Bill and Jesse" represent a very warm and unique, but 'older' style. He actively asks current top-tier mandolin professionals for a private lesson because it's that variety that makes the music so interesting. Patrick has adopted different techniques such as Jesse's famous "cross-picking", Bill Monroe's "double-stop, slide" style and several of Sam's famous licks. Patrick says "there is NO form of bluegrass that is outdated, you use different styles for different songs and it provides tremendous range". Patrick has two sons, Tyler (18) and Drew (17). He said "I'm so proud of those boys, they're smart, have a lot of common sense, love the Lord, family oriented and have developed a good work-ethic" (surely he's not biased?!). Patrick's philosophy in presenting music for public consumption is summed up like this: "...always strive to entertain the audience. Trying to impress peer-musicians is a mistake, the audience doesn't care about any of that!". So, "Put yourself in their shoes, try and figure out what they'll like and chances are you'll have a winning performance!". "Above all, HAVE FUN!".
