Kent Dowell
(Banjo, Vocals) – Kent played banjo for the legendary
Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen, from 1979 through
1982. He recorded three albums with them including: “Sit
Down Young Stranger”, “River Bottom”, and a live recording
with the Seldom Scene, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, and others,
called “Bluegrass the Greatest Show on Earth”. Musically,
Kent has toured over most of the USA and toured Europe in
1980. Kent still performs with his own band, Bluegrass
Blend, which he formed in the mid-70’s. Sassafras is proud
to have Kent as a member of the band on our 2025 New Zealand
tour.
Billy Gee (Bass,
Vocals) – Billy has shared the stage with Doc Watson, John
Cowan, Jack Lawrence, Wayne Henderson, Don Story, Mel Jones,
and many other notable musicians. Billy toured as bassist
with bluegrass legend Charlie Waller and The Country
Gentlemen. Billy received the Dr. T.R. Bryan Wilkes Heritage
Award and is a member of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.
Billy has performed at the esteemed Grand Ole Opry in
Nashville, Tennessee as a member of Darin and Brooke
Aldridge Band. Billy contributes original material for
Sassafras and is a founding band member when the band formed
in the late-90’s.
Wes Tuttle (Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals) -- Wes has
performed on stage with Doc Watson, Kenny Baker, Benny
Martin, Terry Baucom, Mark O'Connor, Jerry Douglas, Wes
Golding, and many other notable musicians. Wes has also
recorded with Tony Rice, Ronnie Bowman, Russell Moore, Jim
Buchanan. Wes is the consummate musician and epitomizes the
“high lonesome sound” with his sterling vocal range. Wes
continues to write music and contributed one of his original
songs to the latest Sassafras CD.
Randy Gambill (Guitar, Vocals) -- Randy has
performed on stage or recorded with Doc Watson, Jack
Lawrence, Pete Wernick, Doug Jernigan, Steve Lewis, and Roy
Huskey Jr. and many other notable musicians. While living
abroad, Randy toured Europe promoting Bluegrass and
Americana music. Randy’s original songs have been featured
on BBC Radio & the PBS TV Series “Song of the Mountains.”
Randy continues to write music for Sassafras and another
band, Non-Prophets, and contributed two of his songs to the
latest Sassafras CD.
Randy's own personal website can be accessed at this link.
Randy Gambill
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