Bio


BUCK MCCUMBERS is a veteran of the bluegrass music scene.  He started playing music at the age of 16 on the Spencer, WV radio.  In 1967, he started playing with Frank Necessary and the Stone Mountain Boys, recording one album and several singles with them.  He also was a member of the WWVA Jamboree. He then formed, with his family, the McCumbers Brothers Band, recording their first album in 1976 on Old Homestead Records.  He was also one of the founding members of the group License to Drive.  They produced two recordings.  In 2002, he was instrumental in forming the band Buck & Company.  His repertoire includes several recordings on different projects and also playing with several notable bands including Red Allen, Mac Wiseman, Lillie Mae and the Dixie Gospelaires and the Hutchinson Brothers.  Buck's contributions to the band are numerous.  Not only does he play mandolin/fiddle while delivering superb lead and tenor vocals, he is a tremendous song writer, contributing fresh original material to the band.

 

CONNIE HARDMAN has contributed her musical and singing talents to bluegrass music for several years.  Being a guitarist and sister to the McCumbers Brothers, she has played with them for several years and was privileged to be included in some of their recordings.  Connie also helped to form an Ohio-based bluegrass group Northern Blend with whom she has played festivals, gospel sings, and various churches.  Her ability to write songs is evidenced by several of her songs being recorded with Northern Blend and "The Battle" is the title cut of Buck & Company's gospel CD.

 

JERRY HARDWAY has played bluegrass/gospel music for several years, beginning with his family and some close friends at an early age.  Working full time makes it hard for him to play at times, however he has the balance mastered.  Despite his busy life, he still finds time to practice his hobby of music.  Jerry was raised  on a small farm in Palestine, WV and loves working in his shop, especially rebuilding engines.  He was valedictorian of Wirt County High School and graduated with many honors from West Virginia University.  He was around old time, gospel, and bluegrass music most of his life.  His musical talents come from both sides of his family.  Not only is Jerry a great bass player, he also plays several other stringed instruments.

 

DWAYNE MCCUMBERS contributes his tremendous dobro skills and vocals to the band.  Dwayne's musical resume is impressive.  Not only has he performed an recorded with several notable local and regional bands, he has performed with national acts such as Red Allen, Harley Allen, John Hartford, Mac Wiseman, Hylo Brown, the McCumbers Brothers and the Stone Mountain Boys.  Dwayne was also a member of the Wheeling Jamboree.  When not playing with Buck & Company, Dwayne plays with the Sheppard Brothers Bluegrass Band.

 

RANDY BRADY was raised at Duck, in Clay County, West Virginia.  Randy was born into a musical family, his dad playing music and his mom writing songs.  Randy played banjo with his younger sisters, Rotha Brady Hardway on guitar and Shirley Brady Sheppard on upright bass.  They recorded several CDs and played as the Brady family.  Randy is also very accomplished on guitar.  Randy also has a recording studio in Parkersburg, WV where many professional and local groups have recorded.  Along with his banjo and guitar skills, Randy's vocal abilities are a welcome addition to the band