Backyard Breakdown welcomes The Kevin Prater Band

Kevin Prater is currently celebrating his 47th year of bluegrass journey that began at age seven. Kevin has entertained in 49 states and 24 countries. Though he has played with many legends of bluegrass in career, he is most known for his twelve years with the legendary, James King Band. During his time with King, Kevin was part of two "Album of the Year", a "Song of the Year" and a "Recorded Event of the Year", award winning projects. Kevin also was nominated for "Banjo Player of the Year" during a three year stint with The Bluegrass Brothers. There is an long list or additional legends Kevin has traveled with during his bluegrass career.
2024 blessed The Kevin Prater Band with 104 shows throughout the USA and Canada and 90 in 2025. Blessings continued as they became the three day feature band at Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Aug. 1-3, 2025. September brought them an 18 day 15 show tour to California., which included a sold out show at the Station Inn, Nashville on the way home.
Currently the band is finishing up their first, all original recorded project. First single, "Kentucky Mountain Memories" released April 2024 by Turnberry Records was #6 on Roots Music Charts May 17, 2024. The project is being recorded by Kevin Prater in his "Sound Makers" recording studio. Having just recorded a live radio show at T. B. Suttons Old time Radio Hour in Granville, TN., it is now available as a recorded project.
The Kevin Prater Band is in its 17th year living up to the band motto sharing their "Coal-Fired, Pure Kentucky Bluegrass". The band also enjoys additions of classic country, bluegrass gospel, original tunes and grassed up vintage rock in their shows. Their love of Bluegrass Gospel has resulted in sharing their "Bluegrass Gospel Music Ministry" with many churchs throughout their travels.
It takes a stellar group of musicians to support the endless talents of Kevin Prater. In addition to Kevin (Belcher, KY.) on mandolin, he is accompanied by Dalton Smith of (Alderson, WV.,) on guitar. When not on the road Dalton is a staff musician at Dolly Parton's Stampede, in TN. Larry Cadle of (Galion, OH.) mans the bass position. Larry comes from a variety of musical genres, always comes back to bluegrass. On banjo, Codie Allen of (Campbellsville, KY). Codie is a recent graduate of Bluegrass at Campbellsville Community College. He is a great song writer and becoming a huge part of the bands vocals. On fiddle, Eb Saunders (Chattanooga, TN.) 17 year old college Sophomore in the Criminal Justice program. He is the son of Owen Saunders, former bandmate of Kevin Prater during his Jame King Days.