Storefront Congregation

Enjoy fast picking, smooth sounds, and gritty rhythms by Storefront Congregation, a Louisville-based group pulling inspirations from bluegrass and country. Standards and original material blend a unique sound to satisfy your bluegrass music journey.

The Band:

Murrell Thixton, originally from Mt. Washington, Kentucky was first inspired by music while attending church with his granddaddy. He acted on his love of music at age 12. When he learned the first half of Cripple Creek on the banjo, he was hooked! Murrell teamed with childhood friend, Kent Houchin, and picked in various small musical groups and experimented with different genres of music. As teenagers, they founded New Horizon, a mostly bluegrass band that reflected the rock ‘n roll and country music of the day. The popularity of New Horizon is legendary, and even today the name echoes in the Louisville music scene. Murrell & other local musicians co-founded Cast Iron Airplane, performing bluegrass, country & original songs. Again as a founding member, Murrell makes his mark in Storefront Congregation by sharing his talents of writing songs, playing banjo and guitar, as well as singing lead and harmony vocals.

Kent Houchin dreamed of being a performer from early childhood, imitating his favorite artists: Bobby Darren, Ricky Nelson and John Denver. After learning to play guitar at age 12, he and Murrell participated in local talent shows with hopes of being the next “Buck Owens and Roy Clark.” Also a co-founder of New Horizon, he has made a lasting mark on Louisville-area music. Kent has since lent his talents on acoustic and electric guitar to many local bluegrass and country bands including: Wild Horses, Neon Cowboys, The Lonely Roads Band & Karen Kraft and Kiks. Because of his versatility, he is considered to be on the local and regional “A” list when bands need a substitute guitarist. Kent’s talents of writing, arranging, singing lead and harmony, as well as picking are a strong-hold of Storefront Congregation. His tasteful rhythm guitar and lead lines reflect his love of all kinds of music which he kindly shares with us and, in turn, with you.

Lauren White was exposed to bluegrass music at an early age. Her dad’s love of traditional bluegrass music took them to many festivals in the Ohio Valley and beyond, where she fell asleep in the campgrounds to the drones of the music. She started playing bass fiddle at the age of 9. Her mother took her and brother, Ken, to numerous contests and shows where they honed their bluegrass skills and developed their unique sound. Lauren graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, Kentucky, singing in the choir and studying orchestral and jazz bass. Lauren has been a member of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra, bluegrass band Next Exit, traveled with bluegrass and original music band – Redwing from West Virginia, a later configuration of New Horizon, and other groups. Lauren’s lead and harmony vocals compliment the smooth sounds and gritty rhythms of Storefront Congregation solid and unique sound.

Nathan Livers began playing mandolin at the age of ten with his family band. In 1992 while at a local jam, Nathan met a fiddle player, Michael Cleveland; the two were instantly drawn together by their love of Bill Monroe. The duo coined themselves "The Get Down Bluegrass Boys" and cut an album, toured from Indiana to California, making television appearances along the way. Nathan then joined the band Charlie Lawson and Oak Hill (CL&OH), spending the next few years traveling the country, honing his mandolin and vocal skills and entertaining crowds. In 1999, he took a short break from CL&OH to play with Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers. While with Brewer, Nathan was on the same album with bluegrass greats Doyle Lawson and J.D. Crowe. Nathan returned to his now "second family" in 2000, and continued playing with CL&OH until Charlie retired. Playing in various bands and teaching mandolin, Nathan still makes time to play music with his family. He continues the family-legacy with his thoughtful picking, singing & songwriting with Storefront Congregation which you’re sure to enjoy.