Acoustic Endeavors was initially formed in 1992 by Warren Amberson and Kelly Green. The band has been based in Jonesborough and then Nashville, TN but is now headquartered in Roanoke, VA.
Warren had been playing professionally in Germany after finishing his stint in the Army in 1986. He met Kelly at a festival in Iowa in 1991 while he was back in the states on tour with his German bluegrass band, Foreign Affairs. They invited Kelly to Germany to play a few shows which turned into a stay of14 months. The seeds of Acoustic Endeavors were sown.
Warren and Kelly returned to the US in 1992 and settled in Jonesborough, TN where they attended the Bluegrass Music program at East Tennessee State University under the direction of mandolin master, Jack Tottle. Warren and Kelly were student band directors in the program and Acoustic Endeavors got its start here in Jonesborough as they needed to perform to support themselves during school. The initial lineup included Glen Rose on banjo, Tommy Austin on mandolin,Warren on bass and Kelly on guitar. They won 4th place at the SPBGMA band contest with this formation in 1994.
The next edition of Acoustic Endeavors in Jonesborough included: Glen Rose on banjo, Tim Laughlin on mandolin, Amanda Mathis on fiddle, Warren on bass and Kelly on guitar. They won the South Carolina Pizza Hut regional championship in 1995.They recorded and released their first CD of all-original music in 1994 called Coming Of Age. It featured Warren on bass, Kelly on guitar, Tommy Morse on banjo, Tim Laughlin on mandolin, Ernie Power on dobro and Randy Utterback on fiddle, harmonica, guitar and keyboard.
After completing the ETSU program, Warren and Kelly moved to Nashville in 1995 and reformed the band with Greg Honeycutt on bass, John Golden on banjo, Kelly on guitar and Warren on mandolin. They showcased at IBMA that year and in 1996, Greg joined them in Nashville. They report that lean times were in the offing, though they wrote some great songs and played some fabulous music.
In 1997, Warren, Kelly and Greg returned to Roanoke and the band was in a sort of inactive status until Dewey joined later that year. They performed in and around Roanoke and at festivals in VA, WV, NC and TN while recording demos of the new material they were writing and arranging. They did not have a full time banjo player until John joined in early 2000. With a full compliment once again, they set to work recording in earnest with Sneak Preview as the result.
The year 2002 marked the 10th Anniversary of the band and, to celebrate, they reissued the debut release (Coming Of Age) and included two bonus tracks featuring the current band. It was retitled, Coming Of Age... Again, and is available online.
Greg Honeycutt left the group in 2003, Warren switched back to bass, and they brought noted SW VA fiddler Billy Hurt on board. This is the band that recorded the current CD, On A Farm, with both Greg and Warren featured on bass on different tracks.
On A Farm was released in 2005 and was reviewed favorably in Bluegrass Unlimited and was played extensively on XM satellite Radio's Bluegrass Junction and other bluegrass radio shows all over the world.
Mike Mitchell has recently joined us on fiddle and vocals. Glad to have you Mike!
I’m an italian lover of good music, I send you my congratulations for your music
THANKS TO ADD & FRIENDERSHIP I LIKE YOUR TRACKS ON YOUR MySpace PAGE IT’S A GOOD SOUND, GREAT SONGS
I’m a journalist of “BUSCADERO” the very best italian rock magazine, and other, desultorily I wrote on the “FB Folk Bullettin” (folk magazine).
list of my last reviews: BUSCADERO September 2008: Drew Emmitt “Long Road” cd Donna The Buffalo: “Silverlined” cd Feufollet “Cow Island Hop” cd BUSCADERO July/Ago 2008: Floggin Molly: review live concert at Musicdrome - Milano 20,05.’08 Railroad Earth “Amen Corner” cd Michael Doucet “From You Noe On” cd Tony DeMarco “The Sligo Indians” cd Ned Ludd “Lavoro & Dignità” cd Riccardo Tesi “Presente Remoto” cd BUSCADERO June 2008: Davide Van de-Sfroos: review live concert at DatchForum, Assago-Milano 19,04.’08 Yonder Mountain String Band “Mountain Tracks: vol.5” 2cd Flavio Oreglio & LUF “Giù (non è stato facile cadere così in basso)” cd BUSCADERO May 2008: Waybacks: “Loaded” cd Clarence Gatemouth Brown “Live from Austin-City Limits” dvd Flaco Jimenez: “Ya Volvi De La Guerra” cd BUSCADERO April 2008: Eric Sardinas: “Eric Sardinas & Big Motor” cd Lhi Jarris “Cèrcle Libre” cd BUSCADERO March 2008: Flogging Molly: “Float” cd Savoy Family Band “Turn Loose But Don’t Let Go” cd Punch Brothers [Chris Thile] “Punch” cd
I whish you my best (sincerely) compliments for your work I send you my best and brotherly rockin’ roots regards.
School is just starting up again and its going great. I am doing as much playing and songwriting classes as I can, its really just so fun! Did you have a good summer?
forgot to ask are you guys going up for the day on the 4th? or are you staying a couple days? i had asked off that day in febuary when i was singing with you guys:) planning WAY ahead.
Acoustic Endeavors, it's always nice to hear the sweet sounds coming from yo page. I posted a new demo song on my profile. It would make me smile really big if you would come over and have a quick listen.
Hey! ♥ Thank's for coming by my page. Unfortunately, I don't have anymore pictures of Graves Mountain Lodge. I should have taken more than I did, but I was way in the back and didn't want to keep getting in front of people ;o) You're absolutely right, it was HOT. The lady beside me had a portable battery fan, something we ALL should have thought about. You all were WONDERFUL! Keep up the good work, and consider me a fan! Can't wait to see you all again!
Hey Guys!! I just thought I would drop a line from Orlando... Hope all is well with you guys! If I miss anything about Blues BBQ it is definitely Tuesday Evening... You guys really are phenomenal!
