Join PineCone, Tray Wellington, and Kyle Tuttle for an informal “Banjo Hang” and listen to these two phenomenal young banjo players trade songs and discuss their influences, recent and upcoming projects, and some of their favorite tips for playing the five-string instrument that is such a central part of bluegrass music. (And yes, there may even be a banjo joke or two.)
Tray Wellington is building a career as a banjo player but has also become a social influencer within the roots music community. Before reaching the age of 21, he received a number of awards and accolades, including two awards from IBMA — 2019 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year and 2019 Momentum Band of the Year (with Cane Mill Road). Also in 2019, he ventured out to start his own project, which started with recording his first EP, Uncaged Thoughts, which was recorded and co-produced by banjo legend Scott Vestal. From there he decided he wanted to start his current band. The Tray Wellington Band currently features Josiah Nelson, Nick Weitzenfeld, and Katelynn Lowe. The band has performed at many premier festivals and venues across the country, including a set at the Red Hat Amphitheater during the IBMA Bluegras Live! in Raleigh in 2021. Tray is an experienced teacher of the banjo as well. Tray teaches private lessons, and he has taught at many premier camps, including MidWest Banjo Camp, Augusta Heritage Week, and as an assistant teaching at the 2019 Bela Fleck Blue Ridge Banjo Camp. In 2020, Tray signed to Mountain Home Music Company, and Black Banjo, his debut full-length album, will be released on the label on May 13!
“Over these past two years I have felt more inspired than ever to make a change in this music and see more diversity within the music,” says Tray. “The idea of Black Banjo is to break down the stereotypes placed on banjo and Black people within roots music, and societally, and show that anyone can do any music they set their mind to and no demographic should be a barrier to that dream.” Tray joined the full time staff at PineCone at the start of the year as our Communications Manager, and he continues to keep a busy schedule as a performer and bandleader.
International Banjo Champion Kyle Tuttle is shredding his way through the jamgrass scene. He is currently touring with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. Since moving to Nashville in 2012, Kyle has shared the stage with many epic performers, most notably as a member of the Jeff Austin Band for three years. Kyle has also worked closely with jamgrass legends Larry Keel, Travelin’ McCourys, Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, and Railroad Earth. In addition to being seen around the jamgrass circuit, Kyle is a studio musician in Nashville, and he recently produced the Chain Station album Backroads.
NOTE: This workshop will be recorded and distributed to registered attendees for use as a learning tool. A highlights video may be produced and shared to promote future workshops and events.
PineCone is committed to making our programs accessible and welcoming to all. To request accommodations (Zoom or tech help; captions; etc) for this or any upcoming PineCone events, please e-mail Jamie or call 919-664-8333.
You will receive a registration confirmation email with details for joining the workshop. Please be sure that your email address is entered correctly and check your spam or promotions folder if you do not receive the confirmation email. If you are still unable to locate the email confirmation and have not received the reminder email by 5pm the day of the workshop, please call or text Jamie at 919-656-7902.