Emerging from the deep musical soil of the Western North Carolina mountains, The Asheville Mountain Boys have arrived on the national bluegrass scene with a powerful first studio single, “Rollin’ On.” Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina—a city long steeped in roots music tradition—this new band isn’t just playing traditional bluegrass; they’re breathing new life into it. While not a tribute band, they honor the pioneers of bluegrass and the mountain culture that shaped it. Their sound blends tradition with energy, capturing the spirit of original bluegrass with fresh authenticity.
Their hometown of Asheville, recently spotlighted in national news after devastating storms, has always been more than a location—it’s a cultural beacon of Appalachian values, perseverance, and musical heritage. The Asheville Mountain Boys carry that legacy forward, weaving their regional identity into their sound.
Their debut single, “Rollin’ On,” captures the band’s essence—real, hardworking, and relentlessly on the move. It’s a musical snapshot of life on the road, channeling the momentum and grit that defines a band’s touring life. With lead vocalists Zeb Gambill’s hard-driving mandolin kick-off, John Duncan’s stellar banjo playing, the authoritative guitar and harmonies of Marshall Brown, and a standout backing from bassist Jacob Brewer, “Rollin’ On” delivers a fresh yet faithful take on traditional bluegrass.
John Duncan adds; “Rollin On” is a song we heard from the Monroe Brothers who recorded it in Charlotte NC in 1938. Featuring the rich baritone of our mandolin player Zeb Gambill, we frequently use this song as the set closer. We are lucky to travel the country together and this song embodies our traveling spirit!”
From the front porches of their mountain town, to festival stages, The Asheville Mountain Boys are carrying the torch of mountain music to new audiences across the country. With “Rollin’ On,” they mark the beginning of a journey—one rooted in tradition but always moving forward.
“We don’t just want to play bluegrass,” says the band. “We want to live it!”
“Rollin’ On” is available May 2 on all major streaming platforms.
About: By their name, you know where they are from, and by their sound, you know what they are about. The Asheville Mountain Boys are on a mission to capture not just the style but the spirit of traditional bluegrass.
Asheville, NC has long been known for great music and its roots in bluegrass go back to the founding of the genre (Bill Monroe’s first broadcast performance as the Bluegrass Boys was at Asheville radio station WWNC in 1938)
A group that firmly stakes its claim to the tradition of the music from the area, The Asheville Mountain Boys spring onto the scene with a thought,” What happened to bluegrass?” It’s not a disparaging one that condemns current styles in the genre but rather asks, “Why do we love this music in the first place” and answers with an approach that is true to the originators of the genre in the sense of both style and philosophy. Bluegrass is raw emotion, excitement, drive, and authenticity. It is not sanitized or compromised but a reflection of the lives of those who play it. It’s storytelling that follows a throughline of tradition.
With these priorities in mind, they offer their first in a series of live-recorded singles. Your introduction to the band is “Another Day” a classic tune written and first recorded by Reno and Smiley in the late 50’s. This song choice and performance fit the ethos of the Boys showing the musical prowess of the group which includes John Duncan on banjo, Zeb Gambill on mandolin, Jacob Brewer on bass and vocals, and Marshal Brown on guitar and vocals.
The group plans to release more live music this year with studio recording to follow. Information and tour dates at www.ashevillemountainboys.com
