Joey Carmon & Kentucky Blue
Ten reasons to hire Joey Carmon and Kentucky Blue
Authentic bluegrass. Kentucky born Joey Carmon brings genuine roots.
Five string banjo. Joey's banjo picking delivers that true bluegrass sound.
Top Reno musicians. Featuring Cindy Gray on guitar, Julie Machado on bass, and Lolli Jones on fiddle.
Fiddle on fire. Lolli Jones gets audiences moving.
Tight bluegrass harmonies for a big authentic sound.
Something for everyone. Bluegrass, country, folk, Americana, and classics.
High energy show. Great picking, singing, and audience interaction.
Any event, anywhere. Perfect for festivals, concerts, weddings, private parties.
Professional experience. Decades of professional musicianship and performance experience.
Kentucky roots, Reno talent, bluegrass soul. That's Joey Carmon and Kentucky Blue.
Joey Carmon
A native Kentuckian, virtuoso banjo and guitar picker, Joey has toured the world with the U.S. Army Country Band, played at the Grand Ol’ Opry and has been a band leader for over 30 years.
The most in-demand banjo and guitar instructor in Reno, Joey is returning to his Bluegrass roots, to pick with some of Reno’s Bluegrass Royalty.
Julie Machado
Julie Smyres Machado is a versatile bassist and vocalist with a deep appreciation for bluegrass music. She performs with the Reno Phil, The Jazzettes USA, Shiloh, and The Biggest Little Big Band, and is a proud member of Joey Carmon & Kentucky Blue.
With more than 100 musicals to her credit, Julie has performed throughout the United States and Europe and has written, recorded, and published original music. Her strong rhythmic foundation, expressive vocals, and love of traditional and contemporary bluegrass bring creativity, warmth, and heart to every performance.
Cindy Gray
Cindy Gray is the daughter of music teachers. Growing up was like being in the von Trapp family, going on frequent camping trips where the whole family would sing in harmony driving down the road in their old Dodge station wagon. She put herself through college playing guitar in a strolling string ensemble, “The Ambrosian Strings”.
Finding Bluegrass music during graduate school in rural Cullowhee, North Carolina, Cindy was soon teaching at the Steve Kauman Acoustic Camp in Knoxville, TN. Moving to Reno to be with her BLM fire fighter husband, David, she found fellow Bluegrass pickers, and played in the all woman Bluegrass bands, Nevada Rain, the Mountain Girls, and the Sierra Sweethearts. She really enjoys picking with Joey, Julie and Lolli, because it’s fun to have a man in the band to play jokes on!
Lolli Jones
Lolli Jones is a Reno, Nevada bluegrass musician known for her fiery fiddle, driving mandolin, and solid guitar work. Her fiddle playing features strong bow attack, double-stops, slides, and expressive breaks, while her mandolin brings crisp chop rhythm and sharp melodic picking. On guitar, she lays down a strong rhythmic foundation. Rooted in traditional bluegrass, Lolli’s playing is energetic, soulful, and hard-driving. Lolli brings the spirit of Kentucky to every performance, combining powerful picking with soulful vocals and a natural stage presence. Her versatility and passion for bluegrass make her a standout in the Northern Nevada music scene. This past summer, Lolli joined Joey Carmon & Kentucky Blue, bringing her powerful musicianship and bluegrass style to the band.