Providence Bluegrass Band

Providence Bluegrass Band is Arizona's version of the Infamous Stringdusters, a combination of Arizona's most experienced and skilled bluegrass players who are creating new and innovative music. The group features Thomas Porter (bass/vocals), Michael Rolland (fiddle/vocals), Billy Parker (mandolin/vocals), and Peter Mclaughlin (guitar/vocals). Providence performs traditional, contemporary, and original music and has quickly earned a reputation for powerful vocals and exhilarating instrumentals. This band uses its superb talent to create a dynamic and original sound. They are bound to open your ears and eyes to Arizona's homegrown talent which is second to none.

Michael Rolland – Fiddle and Vocals
Michael is the current Arizona State Fiddle Champion and has played with bluegrass, country, cowboy and jazz bands for 8 years. Providence features many of Michael's unique original songs and instrumentals.

Thomas Porter – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Thomas has played in several bluegrass groups, most recently as the lead singer of the Copper River Band. His new self titled CD release features many of today's hottest bluegrass pickers including Ron Block, Sierra Hull and Cody Kilby, and has has received airplay by numerous bluegrass radio stations. Many of his originals have been recorded and performed by top players like Doyle Lawson and Lou Reid. Along with his hot guitar playing and beautiful songwriting, his powerful voice will remind you why you love bluegrass music.

Peter McLaughlin -- Guitar and Vocals
Peter is a renowned bluegrass guitar player who has performed all over the world with groups such as Flying South and Laurie Lewis and Grant Street. He won the National Flat-picking Guitar Championship in 1988, the Telluride Bluegrass Guitar Contest in 1988 and 1991, the National Country Music Awards Guitar Competition in 1977 and the Four Corners Flat-picking Guitar Competition in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984. His playing can also be heard on Laurie Lewis' "True Stories" and "The Oak and the Laurel." Most recently he is touring with Chris Brashear and is a frequent instructor at festival workshops, including Telluride and Rockygrass Academies in Colorado, the Augusta Heritage Festival in West Virginia, and Bluegrass at the Beach in Oregon.

Billy Parker – Mandolin and Vocals
Billy Parker grew up in musical family in the New Jersey and began playing mandolin at age 12 when he realized that if he played an instrument, he could stay up as late as everybody else at the many late-night jam sessions held at his family home. Billy has played professionally since then and performed professionally throughout the Pacific Northwest and now, Arizona, where he has become well known as a performer and studio musician. Billy’s strength is his versatility and he stays busy as a mandolinist and guitarist playing acoustic music from Bluegrass to Gypsy Jazz and many things between. Billy’s music career has given him the opportunity to tour with late great Faron Young as well as entertaining with Bill Monroe, David Bromberg, and David Grisman, to name a few.