Court Square Stage, Saturday

Guy Stevenson
I love to turn on the radio and within a few words, be able to identify the singer that I am listening to.  Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Lester Flatt – all have undeniable, distinctive sounds.  Guy Stevenson also has that one-of-a-kind distinctive sound that God chose to bless with only a few.

Guy Stevenson was born in Vulcan, Missouri, the oldest of twelve children.  The Ozarks became the background for his music career that has spanned some fifty years.  From the dusty childhood country roads of Adams Hollow to the multi-lane interstates of the U.S., Guy has spread his traditional gospel bluegrass sound from coast to coast.

In 1973, Guy joined the great Bill Monroe as one of The Bluegrass Boys.  He fulfilled a dream by performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and also recorded on the famed Bean Blossom album. He played to national TV audiences on the highly rated Dean Martin Show as well as many other famous venues.  Choosing to stay somewhat closer to home, Guy left Monroe and join Dub Crouch.  In 1975, 1976 and 1977, Guy was named the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Bass Player of the Year.  Guy spent many a fun-filled night as a staff member of the famous Current River Opry.  He was part of the first bluegrass group to ever play a the Governor’s Mansion in the state of Missouri. 

An accomplished bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Guy as spent the last ten years fronting his own group, The Winning Team Band, performing gospel bluegrass music.  The title of the new CD, The Power of Prayer, was taken from a song on the CD about a true life near-death experience, written at the old home place of Mr. Monroe, in Rosine, Kentucky, on a hot August day in 2002.  The song is an autobiography of sorts, about a year in the life of Guy Stevenson.  With a slim to none chance of survival, Guy rebounded from a year of cancer treatment.  Now humbled and honored to wear the title of cancer survivor, Guy truly understands the power of prayer.

Today, Guy is still taking “one day at a time.”  He is still accumulating awards.  He was recently commissioned by the state of Kentucky and Governor Paul Patton as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel.  Even more than that, lucky for us that Guy was given another chance at life – another chance to carry on his wonderful, distinctive sound.

The Winning Team Band

Luther Medley
Luke and his wife Bonnie live in Poplar Bluff, MO.  They have 4 children, 5 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.  After retiring as a electrician, Luke began building instruments.  At this time he has built several guitars, mandolins, banjos, dulcimers and fiddles.  He has also taught bass fiddlemaking through the Missouri Folk Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.  To date he as built and sold 160 bass fiddles, delivered to 20 different states and Canada.  Luke’s “Doghouse Bass” can be viewed at the “Work Is Art and Art Is Work: The Art of Hand-crafted Instruments” exhibition which is located on the mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center. 
Ron Limberg
Ron and his wife Donna live in Owensville, MO.  They have 3 children.  Ron plays mandolin and sings harmony.  He has worked with several local bluegrass groups.  When not working he enjoys camping, hunting and fishing.

Kyle Triplett
Kyle is 19 years old and lives in Salem, MO.  Kyle has just completed his first year at the College of the Ozarks.  He has played banjo with several local bands. When not working or going to school he enjoys a good jam session with friends, hunting and fishing.

Mark Vaccaro
Mark and his wife Mary Ann live in Bonne Terre, MO. They have 4 children. They have been playing music for about 30 years, with several local bluegrass groups, at Silver Dollar City and Sheppard of the Hills.  He toured with Ray Price and worked in the Plummer Family Show.  Mark not only plays a real good fiddle, he also plays mandolin.  Mary Ann plays an outstanding dobro.