The Kevin Prater Band - The Bluegrass Hideaway @the615hideaway

The Kevin Prater Band is a bluegrass band from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky (based in Belcher, KY), known for their high-energy "Coal-Fired, Pure Kentucky Bluegrass." Style and Repertoire They blend traditional bluegrass with: Classic country "Grassed-up" vintage rock Original songs Emotion-filled bluegrass gospel The band stands out for strong musicianship, tight harmonies, and a cappella singing. Their sound draws inspiration from groups like The Country Gentlemen, Seldom Scene, Osborne Brothers, and Stanley Brothers. Kevin Prater (Leader) Kevin Prater (full name Kevin Jerome Prater, sometimes called "Waldo") is a multi-instrumentalist (primarily mandolin, but also guitar, banjo, bass, dobro) and high tenor vocalist. He started playing at age 4–7, formed his first band ("Elkhorn Grass") at age 10, and has been a professional musician for over 46 years (as of 2026). He previously worked as a sideman with bluegrass legends before forming his own band around 2007–2009 with help from banjo player Tom Timberlake. He has performed in 49 U.S. states and 24 countries, earned awards (including Kentucky proclamations for promoting bluegrass), and celebrated milestones like his 45th/46th anniversary in music. Current/Recent Band Members Lineup can vary, but recent members include: Dalton Smith — Guitar (also versatile on other instruments/vocals) Eb Saunders — Fiddle Others like Larry Cadle (bass), Codie Allen (banjo), etc. Background and Activity The band formed after Prater's years as a sideman and has been touring steadily since the late 2000s (now in its 17th year+). They play festivals, concerts, and churches across the U.S. and Canada, with a busy schedule (around 100+ shows per year). You can find their music on Spotify, YouTube (live performances), and their official site (thekevinpraterband.com), which has tour dates, albums like Red Rocking Chair, and more. They're a traditional-leaning bluegrass act with a strong regional Appalachian flavor and wide appeal for gospel and harmony fans.