Kirk Judd, Creative Writing instructor and Director of Allegheny Echoes Writing Programs, has taught workshops and presented material across the state in many venues. Editor of the acclaimed anthology “Wild, Sweet Notes” and the author of three collections of poetry, “Field Of Vision”, “Tao- Billy”, and “My People Was Music”, he is internationally known for his performance work combining poetry and old time music. A founding member and former president of West Virginia Writers, Inc., Kirk has been chosen as a master presenter for the WV Governor’s School of Arts, and was featured as the first poet ever selected to be a Master Artist at October Old- Time Week at the Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College.

Dobro: Chris Stockwell grew up in the West Virginia mountains, and started singing at an early age. Chris' interest in the Dobro came in 2002, and instrument that he states... "pretty much changed my life". Chris has had the opportunity to play with some of the best Musicians, People and Venues in this country. Before traveling with The Rarely Herd, Chris was a member of the Johnny Staats Project and Honi Deaton and Dream. Recording or Performing on stage with such artists as Lou Reid And Carolina, Doug and Shelley Harper,Ron Sowell, The Mountain Stage Band, Step into the Blue, Chet Lowther, Matt Walker, Bobby Maynard, The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Ernie Thacker, Midnight Ramblers, The Dillards, Barry Scott and Second Wind, Tim O'Brien, Peggy Ratusz, Joshua Singleton and many others.

Bluegrass Banjo: Todd Sams has lived in Athens Ohio most of his life. He has been playing banjo and guitar for the past 36 years. He is a past Bluegrass Banjo Vandalia winner and was a 2 time Ohio State champion and 2 time Indiana State banjo champion in the late 80'/early 90's. Todd won the coveted Bob Evans Band contest with four different bands in that same time period. He has played the past 8 years with the Rarely Herd. Prior to that, he played with Jordan Run, Retro Grass and many short-lived bands. Todd has played banjo with Tony, Larry and Wyatt Rice and with the Tim O'Brien Band, and has recorded with The Rarely Herd, Clay Hess, Wyatt Rice, Johnny Staats, James Price, Randy Thomas, and Retro Grass

Bluegrass Mandolin: Brandon Shuping makes his home in Williamson, West Virginia. Born in Florida and raised in North Carolina, Brandon was born into a musical family that was dedicated to bluegrass tradition. His father, the late Garland Shuping was a well respected banjo player who played in the late 70's with Jim and Jesse among others. By the age of 12, Brandon was playing upright bass with his mother and father and well on his way to becoming the well respected musician he is today. His amazing picking on mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass can be sampled throughout the week.

Bluegrass Fiddle: Hunter Berry is known far and wide as an award winning, top rated fiddle player. He has been the fiddle player for Rhonda Vincent & The Rage since 2002. From Elizabethton, Tennessee, Hunter learned fiddle at age 4. Taught by Benny Sims and David Yates. In 2001, he joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. At age 17, has invited to join Doyle Lawson’s band when he was in the 8th grade but waited until he had his high school diploma. Hunter stayed with Doyle for 9 months, and in 2002, joined Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Has been a final nominee for the IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year award, and has been a multiple winner of the SPBGMA Fiddle Player of the Year award. Bar none, he is known as the best of the best! His mischievous personality keeps anyone who knows him, on their toes; a trait he clearly inherited from his mother, Sherry Berry. He's never known a stranger; striking up a conversation with most anyone; anywhere in the world! Hunter loves people, and they love him back. Though the fiddle is his main stay; he can play anything. His mandolin style is unique; and he has that special touch on any instrument he plays; from the guitar to the autoharp. Hunter can sing any part, just as he plays any instrument. An experienced teacher, Hunter is a staff instructor at East Tennessee University in their Appalachian Studies of Bluegrass and Old Time Music.

Bluegrass Guitar: Kenny Smith is from Nine Mile, Indiana, and is widely considered one of the most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation. A two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year award winner, his professional credits include six years with the popular Lonesome River Band and an exceptional solo CD, Studebaker, released on Sugar Hill Records in 1997. Kenny is in great demand at guitar workshops and master classes, teaching at guitar workshops at major events such as IBMA and the Nashville Flatpick Camp. He has released a two-DVD instruction set on AcuTab Publications.