Members

Russell Johnson of Four Oaks brings eighteen years of performing and recording experience to the stage as a singer, songwriter, producer and entertainer. He was the driving force behind New Vintage's 90's success and instrumental in launching the career of The Grass Cats in 1997. His "rock-solid and exquisitely high-lonesome vocals" and humorous stage presence are hard to forget. Russell’s success as a songwriter and singer is well documented with ten of his original songs reaching the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey. As a producer his credits include three Top 10 CD's. He was also nominated for SPBGMA's Songwriter of the Year in 2004 and considered a "confident, versatile and compelling vocal stylist."

Alice Zincone was born in Greenville, NC. Her parents are life long, self taught musicians who still play and sing today. Growing up immersed in bluegrass and acoustic music, meeting musicians when they came to their house for picking parties and listening to the first and second generation bluegrass pioneers set the course for Alice's musical journey. By 13 she had learned a few chords on the guitar and mandolin and was already developing into a confident lead and harmony vocalist. During the years 1992 – 2000 Alice went to many bluegrass festivals where she met countless numbers of pickers and fell in love with the bass. Besides developing into a solid bass player and singer Alice's songwriting with Rick Lafleur is gaining nationwide recognition and has vaulted them in to what Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine noted as "the top ranks of bluegrass musicians".

From Callander, Ontario, Canada banjoist Rick Lafleur provides the five string instrumental firepower to the New Vintage shows. He was exposed to the sounds of Flatt and Scruggs at an early age and fell in love with Earl’s playing, the banjo, and bluegrass. His parents are avid bluegrass music lovers and supported Rick’s endeavors to meet other players, go to festivals, and develop his musical talent. Rick received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1997 and found his way to NC by way of his post-doctoral studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. He loves the warm weather and friendly folks here in the home state of Earl Scruggs.

Jon Stickley is the guitarist for New Vintage. No stranger to the North Carolina bluegrass scene ( Big Fat Gap, Constant Change, The Cadillac Stepbacks and The Biscuit Burners) Jon has also toured extensively in the western United States with Broke Mountain and the Colorado Playboys. Jon first entered the music scene in early 1987 when he joined the Yates Baptist Church Children's Choir. He was 5 years old. "Growing up singing and playing in church helped me understand what music is all about," Jon says when asked about his musical background. Considered in the top ranks of contemporary guitarists Jon will drop the "tone bombs" on rhythm and lead guitar at any New Vintage performance.

New Vintage is proud to have Steven Fraleigh on fiddle or Rick Keen on dobro joining us on featured dates.

Band History

Played first show August 12 1989 poolside at a Durham Apartment community as The Uncut Grass. Personnel: Russ Johnson-Bass, Earl Lewellyn-guitar, Don Wright-banjo, Joni Holliday-Guitar.

Summer 1990: Mark Roshelli joins the band on guitar, Kim Gardner starts playing some on dobro, Joni switches to bass and Russell switches to mandolin.

Summer 1991: Recorded first cassette tape titled The Uncut Grass at Doobie Shea studios in Ferrum Virginia. Personnel: Russ Johnson-mandolin, Earl Lewellyn-Banjo, Joni Holliday-Bass, Mark Roshelli-guitar, Kim Gardner-Dobro.

July 1991: Changed name to The New Vintage Bluegrass Band or New Vintage for short.

September 1991: Showcased at the International Bluegrass Music World of Bluegrass in Owensboro KY. (same personnel as above)

January 1992: Greg Corbett and Jan Johansson joined the band on banjo and fiddle.

April 1992: Played Merlefest. Personnel: Russ Johnson-mandolin, Earl Lewellyn-guitar, Greg Corbett-banjo, Joni Holliday-bass, Jan Johansson-fiddle.

August 1992: Gena Britt and Zack Mclamb join the band on banjo and bass.

Jan 31st 1993: New Vintage wins the Bluegrass Music Band Contest at the 19th annual SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) Music Awards in Nashville Tennessee.

February 1993: NVB Wins the Pizza Hut Regional Band contest in Fredrick Maryland.

May 1993: Releases first CD "Timeless".

September 20th 1993: NVB wins the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Music Showdown in Owensboro KY, Over 125 bands from across the US and Canada competed in a tournament style talent search. Signs recording contract with Pinecastle Records.

November 1993: Feature article on New Vintage in Bluegrass Now magazine.

January 1994: Carl Caldwell joins the band on bass.

February 1994: Feature article on New Vintage in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.

September 1994: Showcases at the International Bluegrass Music World of Bluegrass Tradeshow in Owensboro KY

September 1994: New Vintage nominated for Emerging Artist at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.

March 1995: Julie Elkins joins band on banjo.

Spring 1995: Releases "No Time For The Blues" on Pinecastle Records. Recorded in Asheville, NC and produced by Butch Baldessari.

July 1995: Richard Ham joins the band on bass.

September 1995: Band plays "Fanfest" at the International Bluegrass Music "World ofBluegrass" in Owensboro KY.

Oct -Dec 1995: "No Answer Blues" and "Gravestone" chart on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey reaching #8 and #15 respectively. The CD "No Time For The Blues" climbs to #6 on the national CD chart for 2 months in August and September 1995.

December 1995: Russell releases "A Picture from the Past" on New Time Records.

September 1996: "What Have I Got To Lose" from Russell's "A Picture From The Past" reaches #15 on the BU Survey and the CD is #12.

Summer/Fall 1996: Band records "Sands of Time" at Doobie Shea studios in Ferrum Virginia. The disc is produced by David Parmley and engineered by Tim Austin.

January 1997: Releases "Sands of Time" on Pinecastle Records.

August 1997: Jody King-banjo, James Doncsecz-bass, and Kim Gardner-dobro join New Vintage.

Summer/Fall 1997: "Footprints" and "LA County" from Sands of Time hit the BU National Chart.

February 1998: "LA County" from Sands of Time is #2 and the CD is #9 on the BU National Survey.

Summer 1998: New Vintage records "Changing Times" for Pinecastle Records, Produced by Loneosme River band's Sammy Shelor.

Summer/Fall 1999: "Next to Nothing" from Changing Times reaches #8 on the BU National Survey and the CD peaks at #6.

September 1999: New Vintage showcases at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Louisville KY.

May 2000: Gena Britt and Greg Martin join the band on banjo and bass.

October 2000: New Vintage plays last show at the IBMA World of Bluegrass Fanfest.

During an 11 year history New Vintage played in 24 US states, did 2 Canadian tours, released 5 recorded projects, was nominated for IBMA Emerging Artist in 1994, had 6 songs on the National Charts, 4 Top 10 CD's and won both the Pizza Hut International Bluegrass Showdown and the SPBGMA National Band Contest (in the same year).