Kevin Prater of the Kevin Prater band. The group will be performing at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 25. (Submitted photo)

BAINBRIDGE — If you want to hear a unique and talented band from the hills of Appalachia, creating that pure Kentucky sound, don’t miss the Kevin Prater Band when they perform at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theatre at 15 North Main Street on Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m.

From the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, The Kevin Prater Band delivers their unique "Coal-Fired Pure Kentucky Bluegrass" with additions of classic country, grassed-up vintage rock, original songs, and emotion-filled bluegrass gospel music. The Kevin Prater Band is frequently recognized and celebrated for their stellar harmonies and acapella singing.

Kevin Prater, Owner/Leader of The Kevin Prater Band, for over 40 years has shared his passion of traditional bluegrass around the world. Twice Kevin has been honored and awarded by the great State of Kentucky for protecting and promoting the music that has made Kentucky famous. Twice he has been declared a Kentucky Colonel.

Kevin began his musical journey with his first professional job at the age of seven years old. His passion was highly influenced by his fiddle-playing uncle Boone Estep, and a member of Boone's band, banjo-picker Albon Lee Clevenger. At about age 11, Kevin teamed up with David Adkins, creating "Elkhorn Grass."

They could frequently be found opening for Dr. Ralph Stanly and The Clinch Mountain Boys and many other legends of Bluegrass. When not playing with "Elkhorn Grass," Kevin would fill in with many area bands. He was blessed to spend many days in the tour bus with "Lost and Found." Being mentored by Alan Mills and Dempsey Young was a dream come true. Dempsey became one of Kevin's dearest friends, until his untimely death.

Kevin has gone on to play with many of the legends in Bluegrass, including 12 years with Grammy-nominated James King Band, earning two Album of the Year awards, a Song of the Year award from SPBGMA, and Recorded Event of the Year award from IBMA. Other bands Kevin has toured with include Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain, Jerry Williamson and Redwing, Timmy Cline Band, Mark Phillips and Third Generation, and The Bluegrass Brothers, earning a SPBGMA nomination as Banjo Player of the Year.

2023 will mark the 43rd year of Kevin Prater's musical journey that began at age seven. Kevin has entertained in 24 countries and 49 States. Kevin has a vast catalog of knowledge and experience to pull from. In 2007 Kevin formed The Kevin Prater Band after much encouragement from friends and fans and has never looked back.

Currently in their 15th year touring the USA and Canada, the band has had great success. In 2018 they released their fifth CD, "All I Ever Wanted." That project quickly went to #21 and remained on the charts for nine months. It finished 2018 as #65 of the top 200 on the Roots Music Charts for the world. Their current CD "Red Rocking Chair," yet to hit radio, pays homage to their love of "traditional" bluegrass that has fueled and influenced Kevin Prater's entire career.

Every member of The Kevin Prater Band plays multiple instruments and contributes to the band vocally. In addition to traditional bluegrass, the band fancies classic country, gospel, and grassed-up vintage rock. With thousands of songs in their catalog, including many original tunes, the band never uses a set list, and never knows what they will play before going on stage.

In addition to their stage shows, the band members enjoy teaching many workshops annually at various bluegrass festivals. In recent years they have been in great demand for vocal workshops, including acapella style singing.

On the 25th, the doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or you may reserve ahead by calling 607-288-3882. In the gallery that evening, Dan Harendza will be featured. The gallery is open at 6 p.m. before shows, through intermission, and is free to the public.

-Information provided by the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater