Brad Powers

Brad, his wife Amy, and their three sons - Kaiden, Karson, and Jackson - reside in West Van Lear, Kentucky on the outskirts of Paintsville. Like many other in Eastern Kentucky, Brad has a musical lineage that inspired him to play. Jack Powers was a highly revered singer of gospel music. Many described Jack as "the best I've ever heard." Brad's maternal grandfather, Fred Hannah, also sang gospel music, often singing and whistling constantly as they bass fished. Brad's father Keith also plays guitar and mandolin. So Brad's musical acumen is not surprising. He grew up playing guitar and singing in church. His uncle Michael bought him his first banjo when he was 19 years old and he never looked back. He identifies the great Sammy Shelor as his first "biggest" influence but says that the late, great J.D. Crowe "turned the spark into a flame." Brad is an active member of Lakeside Church in Staffordsville and enjoys hunting, fishing, coaching, and Gibson banjos.