Darren Nicholson Band at Church Street Fair

The Darren Nicholson Band is excited to announce the addition of Sarah Griffin on upright bass and vocals and Brady Wallen on banjo and vocals as new full-time members of the band. Joining Darren Nicholson on mandolin and vocals and Avery Welter on guitar and vocals, the expanded lineup brings together a powerhouse of Appalachian musicians with deep roots in traditional bluegrass and a shared passion for music

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to play music with Sarah Griffin and Brady Wallen,” says Darren Nicholson. “I’ve been knowing them for quite a while, and their music absolutely elevates me to a different level. This means new sounds and new material. I want to keep evolving, and they are a perfect fit. I can’t wait to see what this new chapter holds. And I think folks who come out to see the new band will be as blown away by their music as I am.”

The new lineup also reunites Nicholson with musicians he has performed alongside in various configurations. Griffin, Wallen and Welter previously performed together as the Shedhouse Trio, blending bluegrass, western swing, classic country, folk and gospel.

Sarah Griffin is a Western North Carolina native, bluegrass and country musician, and accomplished upright bassist and vocalist. A graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music, Griffin has built her career around traditional Appalachian music and the musicianship, energy and authenticity that define it.

She has performed numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry and on stages across the United States and internationally, sharing the stage with artists including Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, the Del McCoury Band, Peter Rowan and the Krüger Brothers. Griffin spent three years touring with the Wyatt Ellis Band, performing at venues and festivals throughout the country and recording alongside artists including Michael Cleveland, Trey Hensley and Christopher Henry.

Griffin now begins a new chapter with the Darren Nicholson Band, bringing her love of traditional bluegrass, strong rhythm and harmony vocals to audiences across the country and beyond.
Brady Wallen is a banjo player from Southeast Kentucky whose playing is deeply rooted in the traditions of bluegrass music. He studied Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music at East Tennessee State University and has spent years performing with a variety of respected artists and groups. Wallen has been a member of the Amanda Cook Band, performing with the group on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as the Clay Hess Band and Burnett Sisters Band. He continues to perform with Michael Prewitt and Crunchgrass Supreme when his schedule allows.

Through his years on the road and on stage, Wallen has developed a versatile style that combines a strong traditional bluegrass foundation with his own distinctive approach to the banjo. Originally from Kentucky and now performing throughout the world, Wallen is excited to bring his playing and experience to the Darren Nicholson Band.

Avery Welter continues as the band’s guitarist and vocalist, completing a lineup built around four musicians whose voices and instruments create a dynamic acoustic sound without percussion.
The addition of Griffin and Wallen reflects Nicholson’s continuing commitment to evolving his approach to bluegrass rather than simply recreating what has come before. Nicholson has spoken openly about wanting his music to sound different while maintaining a deep respect for the traditions that shaped him.
The result is a band rooted in the sounds of the Appalachian mountains but unafraid to explore new territory with strong instrumental interplay, distinctive vocal harmonies, original material and the energy of four musicians who are deeply connected to the music.

The Darren Nicholson Band’s latest release, Lonesome Trails and Tall Tales, continues Nicholson’s exploration of original roots music. The band describes its music as “original roots music from the mountains of western North Carolina,” drawing on the traditions of American acoustic music while creating a sound distinctly its own.

Darren Nicholson is an 11-time International Bluegrass Music Association award winner, Grand Ole Opry performer and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. A native of Western North Carolina, Nicholson is known for his work as a mandolinist, vocalist, songwriter and roots music ambassador. The Darren Nicholson Band blends bluegrass, folk, gospel and swing into an original Appalachian sound that honors the past while looking toward the future.