Raymond McLain is the director of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Program and a highly respected multi instrumentalist and exciting onstage performer.  He is among the most well traveled musicians in his field, having performed in 63 different countries around the world.  With the McLain Family Band and Jim and Jessee McReynolds, Mr. McLain has performed in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall, to the Grand Ole Opry.  He continues to tour and record with Canadian harmonica innovator, Mike Stevens. 

Phone: 423-439-8582
E-mail: mclain@etsu.edu

On the web at: http://www.mclains.com.

Jack Tottle, founder of the program now retired, continues to teach alternate semesters and to work on special projects for the program.  He is a noted mandolin player, songwriter, singer and author.  His songs have repeatedly reached high positions on the national bluegrass charts, including a #1 hit “It’s a Long, Long Road (recorded by Blue Highway) and a #5 hit “Leavin’(recorded by James King).  Mr. Tottle’s most recent album The Bluegrass Sound features the likes Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Stewart Duncan, and Del and Ronnie McCoury.  His mandolin instruction book, Bluegrass Mandolin is an all time best seller.

Old time fiddler and clawhammer banjo instructor, and director of the ETSU Old Time String Band, Richard Blaustein has performed with East Tennessee old time musicians for roughly three decades.  A folklorist and member of ETSU’s sociology faculty, he is the author of numerous articles relating to America’s traditional folk heritage.  He is also the founder of East Tennessee State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Services.

Phone: 423-439-4748
E-mail: blaustei@etsu.edu

Veteran of the ETSU Bluegrass band since the beginning, Greg Fields is an accomplished vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and seasoned performer.  Greg hails from Greenville, TN and is a popular instructor of guitar and bass. 

“Tater” Tate, strong member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys on stage and on record for more than a decade, playing fiddle and bass and singing bass in the Bluegrass Quartet, he also performed for years with the legendary Lester Flatt, with his own group, the Shenandoah Cut Ups and in his early years, was featured on the Cas Walker Show.  We are honored to include Tater Tate among our faculty giving individual instruction on bluegrass fiddle. 

Hailing from the mountains of West Virginia, Will Parsons has toured nationally with Barry Berrier and for several years with the Charlie Sizemore Band.  Aside from giving individual instruction on fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bass, Will also likes to practice his craft as a master luthier.

Singer-songwriter Ed Snodderly is a Sugar Hill recording artist both with his group the Brother Boys and Jerry Douglas.  Ed teaches dobro and guitar along with his song writing class that is a favorite among the students.  His acting credits include many successful roles in touring productions and he was seen by millions in the movie “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.”