Promoters, feel free to use any of the following information about McCoy Grass!
Videos
This is a video of Kelly singing with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage on March 28, 2008 in Wilmington, Ohio. It was made using live video footage of Kelly on stage and some information using Windows Movie Maker. The video tells it all... Thanks Rhonda!
This is a video of Kelly & Katelyn playing with the James King band at the SPBGMA Convention in Nashville, TN on February 3, 2007. Kelly is singing "Ruby." Scroll down to read what James King had to say about the girls. Thanks, James!
This is a video picture slideshow with Kelly and one of her best friends, Alex Leach, from Knoxville, Tennessee. The song playing, "Can't You Hear Me Callin" is one that Kelly and Alex sing together. You can find this song on Alex's new upcoming CD.
Kelly and Katelyn McCoy are two sisters from Fairborn, Ohio, that together form the band, McCoy Grass. Kelly, age 16, and Katelyn, age 13, started playing about five years ago and ever since then they have played at many shows with many musicians. They started out playing with a local youth band, but in January of 2005, they decided to have their own band. "A few years ago Honi Deaton invited me to get onstage and sing with her." Kelly says, "This really inspired me to start a band. This was about the time me and Katelyn started getting serious about playing so we quit the youth band and started McCoy Grass. Brian Ehlers had been our music teacher and Jim Chatfield was a good friend of ours so we asked them to play with us."
Shortly after the girls got the band together, they decided to record an album. "When we first went to the studio, I wasn't sure what to expect." Katelyn continues, "It took a lot of hard work and it was very tiring, but all in all it was a great experience for me. I was surprised at how much better I could play. It was really fun, too!" Kelly adds, "It was a really long and hard process and we went through every emotion recording it. It took us over 60 hours to complete." She continues, "But, in the end, we learned a lot and we have an awesome high-quality CD! I think it made me a better musician and a better person.
Kelly and Katelyn are getting ready to start on a new recording and are very excited about it. "I think a new CD will be awesome for us. The first one has done great so I can't imagine how the next album will be." Kelly continues, "The coolest thing was when one of our songs got played on the radio! There is nothing like hearing your own voice on the radio. It was so cool, and it gave us a lot more exposure to the bluegrass world."
Kelly and Katelyn have played with artists such as, James King, Honi Deaton & Dream, Ralph Stanley II, Bobby & Dean Osborne, Sammy Adkins, Vince Combs, and Joe Isaacs. The girls are so grateful that the musicians are so nice and helpful to them. "All of the musicians that we have met have been so great to us." Kelly continues, "Red Spurlock, who used to play with Red Allen, taught me how to talk on stage and how to jam when I was younger. Danny Davis, who plays with Ralph Stanley II, taught me about the Stanley sound and really got me into playing. Sammy Adkins taught me how to dress professionally on stage." Kelly continues, "Overall, Rhonda Vincent is my main influence. Everybody thinks our voices sound alike and I try to put the drive that she has into everything I do. I also do a lot of her songs. She is amazing!"
Check out McCoy Grass online at MCCOYGRASS.COM
Review by Joe Ross, September 2007 in Bluegrass Now
It's always a treat to hear teenagers' debut albums before they become rich and famous like Rhonda Vincent did. Mentors and role models like Rhonda, Alison Krauss, Honi Deaton, and Dale Ann Bradley are showing girls that bluegrass music welcomes all genders into the fold. Performing at local festivals for four years, sisters Kelly (age 16) and Katelyn McCoy (age 13) from Fairborn, Ohio show a great deal of potential. Both sing lead and harmonies. Kelly plays mandolin, guitar, and fiddle. Katelyn picks guitar, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo. Why, they even write songs too! While they may benefit from some vocal training, they're not shy as they sing with freshness, vigor and clarity. With some breath control and other techniques under their belts, they'll be able to vocalize about unrequited love with an ache, or draw upon deeper emotions in their challenging repertoire. They earn high marks for their confidence to tackle intensely evocative songs from the likes of Dolly Parton, Rhonda Vincent, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and Cousin Emmy. On this showcase CD, they're joined instrumentally by Jim Chatfield (bass), Tim Hale (banjo), and Evan McGregor (fiddle). Besides their own, Evan McGregor's and Mike Powell's vocal harmonies are heard in the mix. Of their originals, Kelly's up-tempo "You Don't Have A Heart" is the strongest, but it loses a certain degree of passion without any harmony in the chorus.
The important declaration we hear from a CD like "The Best Is Yet To Come" is that there are talented young people who are practicing diligently and taking their bluegrass music very seriously. Consuming 60 hours of studio time, the recording this album is a significant milestone on the McCoy sisters' learning curve because it gave them an appreciation for hard work and has made them better musicians. This is an impressive effort for a couple of adolescents from Ohio. They deserve our support and encouragement because they're bluegrass music's future. As Kelly and Katelyn gain experience and maturity, we can expect to hear much more about McCoy Grass. Already being played on Ohio's bluegrass radio airwaves, I wouldn't be surprised to see them headlining Ohio bluegrass festivals within five years.
Review by Tim Cahall
What an effort! This CD, McCoy Grass's second, "The Best is Yet to Come," is a statement of their maturity in bluegrass music. The three original tracks penned by Kelly and Katelyn, Leavin' You Right Now, More Like You, and You Don't Have a Heart resonate in the likes of classics written by lyricists many years in their senior. The classic covers ring with sweetness of a time picked from the field to the stage!
Being affiliated with the massive and prestigious Poppy Mountain and Bean Blossom Bluegrass Organizations (among many others), I have come in contact with many artists, young and old. Watching the McCoy Grass young ladies grow musically as well as professionally has been very exciting.
Reminders of the Duval High School Bluegrass Club, the IBMA's Youth in Bluegrass Movement, as well as Rhonda's early years (Kelly's Hero) emulate from each show. Kelly has also amassed a wonderful sound in the musicians chosen for her band. She has become the pick of many local festivals and is being invited to share her talent in larger venues.
I first came across these young ladies pickin' at a local jam session in the Dayton, Ohio area, much to my surprise at the ages they were! Kelly and Katelyn have come a long way in a very short period of time. They will surely be the pick of headlining venues sometime soon!
If there were a band to pick from the Dayton, Ohio area, McCoy Grass is the one!!! These gals and their beautiful sounds from the Stanley's to Rhonda Vincent is the one you WANT! (and NEED!) Pick McCoy Grass! You will be glad you did!
Best of Luck in everything, McCoy Grass! --Tim Cahall (Poppy Tim, BB Tim, Owner of Old National Bluegrass)
"It's so nice to see young ladies interested in bluegrass and this band sports a great pair of sisters that are out there tearin' it up in bluegrass. Kelly and Katelyn McCoy have been playing bluegrass music for 3 years and this past year they have played the OKI festival and Mountain Days in Dayton, OH, Roundeyes Park Bluegrass Festival in Painter's Creek, OH, Kentucky Days in Xenia, OH, Wes Wells Bluegrass Festival in Connersville, IN, and Old Mill Park Bluegrass Festival in West Liberty, Kentucky!!
If that wasn't enough, they played with Dean and Bobby Osborne at Renfro Valley, Kentucky and they also got a chance to play onstage with Ralph Stanley II as well as play with their own band! Not bad for just 3 years into their careers! There are many adult bands out there that would adore a chance to perform as much as the McCoy Grass band has already under their belts!
In fact, they have even taped a show on Time Warner Cable called "It's Time for Bluegrass." They have also recorded their first CD in November 2005. These young people are really taking this music seriously!
Kelly McCoy, age 15, plays the mandolin, as well as fiddle and guitar. Her younger sister Katelyn McCoy, age 12, plays guitar and mandolin. Brian Ehlers plays the banjo and Jim Chatfield plays the bass. These kids are definitely multi-talented and able to round out the band with their musical skills.
You can learn more by giving them a call for bookings and information on their activities at (937) 657-5365. They live in the Fairborn, OH area." --The Bluegrass Journal
Friends, I think that it's safe to say that bluegrass music is in great hands. McCoy Grass' new CD is an awesome mix of both original music and old favorites. Kelly and Katelyn McCoy are two sisters from Fairborn, Ohio. Kelly, age 16, and Katelyn, age 14, possess unbelievable talents. From the high-energy original, "Kentucky Train" to the heartfelt title song, "Give Me Wings," this new CD promises hour after hour or listening enjoyment. I personally feel that this is just the beginning for this great band. The music world will be hearing many other great songs and projects from McCoy Grass in the years to come. "Give Me Wings" will definitely make a welcome addition to your music collection. --Jarrod Church, WNVA Radio, Wise County, Virginia
Other Information About McCoy Grass
Kelly & Katelyn have played on stage as special guests with the following artists: -Rhonda Vincent (March 2008) - James King (many times) - Bobby Osborne (October 2005 & August 2006) - Dean Osborne (October 2005 & August 2006) - Ralph Stanley II (June 2005 & Sept 2007) - Honi Deaton (February 2005) - Melvin Goins (many times) - Joe Isaacs (many times) - Alex Leach (many times) - Sammy Adkins (many times) - Vince Combs (many times) - Clarence Kelly (many times) Kelly & Katelyn have had the privilege of jamming with the artists such as: -Rhonda Vincent (July 2005) - Adam Steffey (July 2005) - Don Rigsby (July 2005) - The Gibson Brothers (June 2007) - Goldwing Express (June 2007) - Grasstowne (June 2007) - Dan Paisley (June 2007) - Honi Deaton (June 2007) - Carolina Road (June 2007) - and many more! McCoy Grass has opened for the following artists: - Ralph Stanley & Clinch Mountain Boys - Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time -Goldwing Express -The Grascals - The Bluegrass Strangers - Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show - and many more! McCoy Grass have played on stages such as: - SPBGMA Convention, Main Stage (Nashville, TN) - WDVX Live Radio Segment (Knoxville, TN) -Festival of the Bluegrass (Lexington, KY) - Poppy Mountain (Morehead, KY) - Bean Blossom (Bean Blossom, IN) - Jerusalem Ridge (Rosine, KY) - Dr. Ralph Stanley's Festival (Coeburn, VA) - Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival (Wilmington, OH) - Renfro Valley New Barn (Renfro Valley, KY) - Kentucky Hall of Fame Museum (Renfro Valley, KY) - Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (Columbus, OH) Other Information: - Our CDs have been played over internet radio shows, & radio stations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oregon, Iowa, Canada, The Netherlands, and many more! - Kelly & Katelyn have appeared on TV shows such as Cumberland Highlanders on National RFD-TV and locally on It's Time for Bluegrass. - McCoy Grass has been featured in National Magazines such as Bluegrass Now and The Bluegrass Journal. - McCoy Grass has also appeared 3 times on "Bucher's Beat" segment on Channel 2 News(Miami Valley area).
What are other people saying about McCoy Grass?
James King, Rounder Recording Artist & Multiple Winner of SPBGMA Male Vocalist of the Year "Folks, I’ve traveled all around this country and I’ve seen a lot of talent. Now none of them that I’ve seen have as much of it as these two girls here. Now, as y’all might have already known, I didn’t make it in this business on my own, I did have a little help. Ralph Stanley took me under his wing like I’m gonna do for these two girls. They have just got it! They ARE gonna make it in this business one day! And, when I think somebody is this good, I’m gonna put them on stage with me!"
Red Spurlock, former banjo player for Red Allen "They're gonna put Fairborn, Ohio on the map one of these days, believe me! This is professionalism! They're the future of bluegrass music."
Sammy Adkins, former member of Dr. Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys "I've known them for a long time and they're real good pickers and singers...two fine young ladies from around the great state of Ohio."
Naomi Morgan, Fan from North Carolina "You girls are just too awesome! I've been around some great bluegrass bands and trust me... they've got NOTHING on McCoy Grass!"
Giles Bowling, president of the OKI Bluegrass Association "We just can't thank you enough for what y'all are doing. It tickles me to death when I see our kids playing bluegrass music this good!"
Tim Cahall, former manager of Poppy Mountain & Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festivals "Right here in this very room, I stopped in one night... I'd just gotten back from Bean Blossom for a while and I saw these two gals and they kinda just blew me away! I took them to my show the next night and by God if Kelly didn't get up to play with Honi Deaton & Dream! They do a really wonderful job... I'm telling ya, kids in bluegrass is what makes the future and here's one more example!"
Melissa Kennard, Fan from Columbus, Ohio "I just want you to know that I recieved your CD 2 days ago. Thank you guys for recording this album!!! It rocks! It is very impressive! Keep on keepin' on! Also, thank you for keeping my heritage alive! Bluegrass is a very classic style of music that my family has enjoyed for many years and it amazes me that young ladies like yourselves are jamming it like you have played for thirty years. I would also like you to let you know, my five-year-old daughter loves the CD. She belts out "Jolene" and "Ruby." She's my Bluegrass Queen... even though we live in Columbus now, our roots are still planted deeply in Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia and that is what I will carry on to my children, and so will your music! Thank you!!!!"
Ike Eagle, M.C. of Fairborn Community Events "These gals are really coming on strong. They do a really great job and they get better every time you hear them. You'll really appreciate this! Rhonda Vincent had better watch out, hadn't she?"
