Sassafras
Sassafras Biography
Sassafras is based in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Sassafras is a bluegrass band who pays homage to the Bill Monroe and the Flatt & Scruggs era, but also enjoys pushing the edge of progressive Newgrass music, as well. Sassafras also includes a range of other musical styles in their repertoire including country, folk, western swing, and originals. Sassafras band members have performed at a lengthy list of festivals and venues nationally and internationally. Band members are Kent Dowell (banjo/vocals), Billy Gee (bass/vocals), Wes Tuttle (mandolin/fiddle/vocals) & Randy Gambill (guitar/vocals).
Sassafras has performed on stage and/or studio with a wide range of prominent Bluegrass and Americana artist including: Doc Watson, Jack Lawrence, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Mark O'Connor, Josh Graves, Kenny Baker, Benny Martin, Mac Wiseman, Tut Taylor, Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman, Doug Jernigan, Kruger Brothers, Terry Baucom, Pete Wernick, Steve Dilling, Wes Golding, Kim Gardner and many others.
Sassafras band members have performed at a long list of festivals and venues nationally and internationally including: MerleFest (NC), Walnut Valley Festival (Kansas), Song of the Mountains (PBS TV Series), Albino Skunk Festival (SC), Mean Fiddler (London, UK), Bass Mountain Festival (NC), Denton Bluegrass Festival (NC), Okeechobee Fest (Florida), Vanceburg Festival (Kentucky), High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival (Colorado), IBMA (Tennessee), AGEC Bluegrass (Paris, France), Didmarton Bluegrass Festival (UK), Ironbridge Bluegrass Festival (UK), Scottish Bluegrass Association, Hamishes' Hoose (Scotland), Nelson McGee Memorial Bluegrass Festival (Texas), Midsummer Bluegrass Festival (Wisconsin), Güglinger Bluegrass Festival (Germany), Wyoming State BBQ and Bluegrass Festival (WY), Susanville Bluegrass Festival (California), Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival (AZ), Grand Old Opry (Nashville, TN), Rocky Top (Tokyo, Japan), Mussel Inn (New Zealand).
Sassafras Band Members
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.