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Bios
Robert Noble - banjo, vocals
Robert started Willow Branch in February 1983. Before forming Willow Branch, Robert played banjo with the Palm Valley, Florida based 'Valley Grass' from October 1981 to January 1983. He also did a 9-month stint playing banjo for 'Chief Powhatan and his Bluegrass Braves' out of Richmond, Virginia from March to November 1989. Robert won the Georgia state bluegrass banjo championship at Hahira, GA in May 1982 while a member of 'Valley Grass' and is the founding member and 1st President of the Piedmont Virginia Fiddle and Banjo Association in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Gayle Noble - bass fiddle, vocals
Gayle has been a member of Willow Branch since 1983. She was named "Best Female Vocalist" by the Virginia Folk Music Association in 1996 & 1997. When not performing with Willow Branch, Gayle sings with "The Griffin Girls", a gospel group which features Gayle and her sisters. To learn more about Gayle click on the link below.
http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2002/21/after_hours.html
Greg Lam - fiddle, clawhammer banjo, vocals
Greg joined Willow Branch in 2003. He is a multi-instrumentalist who can sing all parts. Before joining Willow Branch, Greg was a member of "The Lam Brothers Band". Greg's clawhammer banjo style is a favorite of Willow Branch fans and is featured at all Willow Branch performances.
Doug McDonald - mandolin, vocals
Doug is a North Carolina native and has been a member of Willow Branch since May 2004. In the late 1970's, Doug and his brothers formed "The McDonald Brothers" band and later "Steel Creek" where he played banjo and sang lead. Doug is a prolific songwriter with many compositions to his credit, many of which can be heard at most Willow Branch performances. Doug is also the owner of Pickersville Recording Studio. You can visit his website at: http://mysite.verizon.net/the4mcdonalds/
Eric Spencer - guitar, vocals
Eric is the newest member of Willow Branch, having joined the group in January 2009.
"I’m originally from southeastern West Virginia. I’m 40 something years old and in those 40 plus years I’ve lived in WV, VA, PA, MD, NC, AL, TN, GA. I’ve been back in VA for a couple years now and plan to finally settle down near the Farmville area. I have a lovely wife of 22 years, a daughter 17 and a son 15. I began playing guitar in 1984 and began playing bass 3 or 4 years ago. I’ve played in a couple other bluegrass bands over the years, Steel Creek based in NC in the mid-90’s, Belle Terry and the Alabama Grass in the early-00’s, and most recently with Mountain Rhythm based in GA through 2007. I’m excited to now be a part of Willow Branch and anxious to see what the future may bring."
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