The Kevin Prater Band has announced Rod Smith as the newest member of the group. He will play both banjo and reso-guitar with the traditional bluegrass outfit based in Kentucky.
Rod had previously been a member of Cumberland Gap Connection and Ernie Thacker & Route 23.
Kevin says that, “Rod Smith brings every missing element to band,” filling the void left by Clyde Marshall’s departure. Prater is on mandolin and lead/tenor vocals, with Danny Stiltner on bass, Tom Timberlake switching from banjo to guitar, and Albon Clevenger on fiddle.
A new album is said to be ready for release soon, and all the guys are excited about their new sound.
Prater came to prominence as a member of James King’s band for many years, and the influence is clear in his music.
You can follow their performance schedule online.
