About Us
For over 40 years, the Whitewater Bluegrass Co. has captivated audiences throughout the Southeast with their blend of Bluegrass music, country ballads, mountain swing, rockabilly, and down-home humor. With Whitewater, mountain culture is a celebration of music, song and dance.
Whether they are playing a festival, convention, wedding, or just an old-fashioned mountain-style party, the Whitewater Bluegrass Co. offers the best interface between culture and crowd.
With their tight sound, they have served as the host band for Folkmoot USA, the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, Kanuga Conference Centers, and the Historic Horse Barn on the Biltmore Estate. They have also been featured entertainers for Billy Edd Wheeler’s book tour “Hotter Than a Pepper Sprout,” and have entertained folks at the North Carolina Bar Association, the Carter Family Fold, the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, the Grove Park Inn, and many more. They have also hosted the dance stage at MerleFest. Whitewater Bluegrass Company was named to "Who's Who in American Bluegrass Music” as well.
Whatever you are looking for in your entertainment needs, Whitewater Bluegrass Co. always delivers a performance to please just about anyone. Whatever the occasion, you'll be guaranteed a tremendous time.
Interested in booking Whitewater for your event? Contact us today!
We have performed at over...
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550+ wedding receptions and parties
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750+ family camp dances
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1,000 municipal & street dances
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2,000 corporate and private parties
Past clients include...
Camp Kanuga, Western Carolina University, Appalachian State University, Davidson College Lenoir Rhyne, East Tennessee State University, Tusculum, Mars Hill College, Gardner Webb, Warren Wilson, University of North Carolina Asheville, UNC-CH (Center for the Study of the American South, Museum of Southern Culture) NCSU (School of Forestry), Elon, UNC-G, Wake Forest, Young-Harris, Emory, King, UNC-Wilmington, Berea, Wofford, Converse, Furman, Montreat, Lee's McRea, Duke, Univ of Mississippi
Meet the Band
Uncle Ted White
Known by most as “everybody’s favorite uncle,” Ted White is a founding member of the Whitewater Bluegrass Company. White contributes not only with vocals and bass, but also adds to the band’s performances with dance-calling, Opry-style comedy, and storytelling.
“I’m a third-generation square dance caller in my family. My maternal grandfather called all the dances at Lake Summit and Tryon for years. I also learned from Glenn Bannerman and his whole family.” Among the types of dances he can call, White lists the big mountain circle, Western swing, contra, and play party games.
A teacher at heart, it won’t take you long to find out that Uncle Ted is a dedicated ambassador for music preservation and education. He has made a pledge to pass the art of bluegrass music & culture onto the next generation. In efforts to further this, Uncle Ted has taught at Warren Wilson in their Appalachian studies program, serves on the Folk Heritage Committee, and has been a long-time supporter of the JAM program.
In addition to being the recipient, with his bandmates, of a North Carolina Arts Council grant and the Pfaff Cup from Warren Wilson, White’s work as a musician, caller, storyteller, and humorist has given him opportunities to perform at the Mountain Heritage Center, the Carter Family Fold, and on the release tour for song-writer Billy Ed Wheeler’s book, Hotter than a Pepper Sprout. He was part of the Spirit of the Mountains documentary series and has worked with the Center for the Study of the American South and the Museum of Southern Culture.
In his spare time, he enjoys working with the Boy Scouts where he serves on the board for the Daniel Boone Council, working as a tour guide with Grayline Trolley Tours of Asheville, and spending time with his wife Lucy.
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To learn more about Ted, check out his page on Blue Ridge Music Trails!
Bill Byerly
As a lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Bill Byerly has been the guitarist and vocalist with Whitewater Bluegrass Company for over 40 years. “I learned to play and sing bluegrass music from some of the best in this area as well as the best around the country. Locally, I was influenced by Ralph Lewis, Tom McKinney, Marc Pruett, John Davis, Arlene Kesterson, Arvil and Gordon Freeman, Mike Hunter, and Steve Sutton, just to mention a few. Jimmy Martin, Flatt and Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Reno and Smiley, Ricky Skaggs, and Bill Monroe were also major influences. I began learning bluegrass as a teenager and am still learning.”
When thinking about his role in WWBC, Bill puts it plainly: “Our goal is to go out every night, put on the best show possible, and be fun and entertaining. We also get audiences involved with square dancing, jokes, and storytelling. It is important to us to preserve our heritage with music, song, and dance.” Bill enjoys eating good food, watching Carolina basketball, and playing with his granddaughter.
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To learn more about Bill, check out his page on Blue Ridge Music Trails!
Molly Barrett
Born and raised at the mouth of the Linville Gorge, the culture of North Carolina’s Appalachian region is no stranger to Molly Barrett. Graced with a charming smile and an immense load of talent, Molly captures her audience every time she picks up her fiddle and begins to sing.
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Molly first started playing the violin at age four and was enamored from that point on. She went on to receive formal training from Appalachian State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, a degree that has proven to be fruitful in her current work with young people. She furthered her studies by going to Emory and Henry College in Virginia where she completed Suzuki Violin teacher training with SAA Teacher Trainer, Libby Armour.
One of the unique characteristics of Molly’s playing is her ability to switch between a strong background in classical training, to improvising any tune “off the book.” Combining that with her strong vocals creates the musician that we know and love.
Many will know Molly for her work with the Western Piedmont Symphony, where she has held the Assistant Principal second violin position for over a decade. In addition, Molly has had the honor of sharing the stage with Bela Fleck, the Kruger Brothers, and many others. These musicians were influential to Molly, along with Kenny Baker, Nate Leath, Doug Trivette, Stuart Duncan, Aubrey Haynie, and her husband Aaron Ramsey.
In addition to her current work with WWBC and the Western Piedmont Symphony, Molly enjoys teaching both violin and fiddle, making music with her husband Aaron, and being mommy to her little girl Jovi.
Seth Rhinehart
Characterized by his friendly smile and easy to talk to demeanor, Seth Rhinehart has been blessed with a musical ear and a solid work ethic that has driven him to become an excellent musician. Seth originally picked up the banjo at age 12 and produced his first album “Come On In” by age 15, that was voted number 5 by WNCW.
When asked who is musical influences are, he would be quick to say that Earl Scruggs is at the top of his list, with Allen Shelton, JD Crowe, Doc Watson, the Carter Family, Jimmy Martin, Osborne Brothers, and Bill Emerson weighing in heavily as well.
One of the highlights of Seth’s music career was playing banjo on Bobby Hicks and Mark Kuykendall’s albums, “Down Memory Lane” and “Forever and a Day.” Both albums soared to having multiple top ten songs on the bluegrass charts and took him to the stage at the IBMA Awards Show. Seth has also been the featured instructor at the North Carolina Banjo Clinic, has played multiple times on public television including Song of the Mountains, and has shared the stage with Ricky Skaggs, Michael Cleveland, and the Kruger Brothers.
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Recently, australianbluegrass.com commented that Seth “plays banjo with an intuitive understanding of the music. His tone, rhythm, and taste are impeccable whether on backup or lead, and his versatile touch can adapt to accommodate any type of material.”
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Seth’s talents, however, don’t stop at banjo. Seth loves to crank out a bass line, finger pick on the guitar, or pick up a Telecaster and jump into different genres such as country, western swing, or rock-a-billy.
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In his spare time, Seth enjoys playing bass at church, taking folks on fly-fishing guide trips, and hiking with his wife Savannah & boxer dog Max.
David Wiseman
If one knows much about David Wiseman, you will know that bluegrass music runs deep in his blood. Wiseman was born in Spruce Pine into a very musical family, and he has been playing music since he was ten years old. David’s father, Charles Wiseman, was part of the Avery County Wiseman family that has been an outstanding part of the region’s traditional music. A few notable members of this family group were famous songwriters Scotty and Lula Belle Wiseman, innovative guitar player Billy Constable, David’s fiddling uncle Jimmy, and his uncle Kent Wiseman—a noteworthy banjo picker. Bluegrass great Charlie Moore married into the Wisemans, adding another layer of talent into an already remarkable family. The “Kent Wiseman Festival” was one of North Carolina’s very first bluegrass festivals and was produced by the Wiseman family. “I was exposed to a lot of good music growing up,” says David. There is no question that his family heritage has been one of the driving forces of David's musical career.
Though David’s first instrument was the guitar, it didn’t take him long to pick up the mandolin and fiddle too. With over 55 years of playing, there is no question that David is beyond proficient in all three instruments. In his first band, Leather Britches, he played with his relatives Billy Constable and Eddie Lovelace. He later played in Country Comfort, River with Del Myers, Linville Ridge, Eddie Rose, Steve Bradshaw, and with L.W. Lambert & the Blue River Boys. Ongoing throughout the years, he has enjoyed picking with his relatives in the Wiseman Family Band.
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When asked what some of his favorite musical memories are, he will likely say that sharing the stage with Raymond Fairchild has been notable, as well as playing on the Louisiana Hayride & Home Move with Roy Rogers.
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Wiseman joined WWBC in 2019 as the mandolin player, although he showcases his skills on fiddle and guitar from time to time too. His passion, skill, and versatility make him an invaluable member to the group. In his spare time, he enjoys making music with his partner Kathy and son Gabriel, passing on the tradition of music just like his father did for him.
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To learn more about David, check out his page on Blue Ridge Music Trails!
Remembering Steve Sutton
We miss our friend! Steve Sutton, on banjo, had a vast and varied career. He cut his musical teeth working for Raymond Fairchild in Maggie Valley and went directly from there to working with the King of Bluegrass, Mr. Good & Country, Jimmy Martin. He helped Rhonda Vincent create her sound with The Rage and worked with Alicia Nugent. Steve is an International Bluegrass Music Award (IBMA) winner as well as a Grammy nominated artist. His machine-gun delivery with the banjo left us wanting more.
We honor Steve through the Steve Sutton Memorial Charitable Trust and Steve Sutton Fest. Learn about the Trust's work and upcoming events here! He will forever be remembered as part of the Whitewater Bluegrass Co. Family!