The Kevin Prater Band returns to 28 Annual Marshall Bluegrass Festival

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 tour to California September.
Currently the band is finishing up their first all original recorded project. First single, "Kentucky Mountain Memories" released April 2024, was #6 on Roots Music Charts May 17, 2024. The project is being recorded by Kevin Prater in his "Music Makers" recording studio.
The Kevin Prater Band is in its 17th year living up to the band motto "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. Touring bands while on the road is very special as they share their "Bluegrass Gospel Music Ministry" having church's they have played nine years in a row.
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 Dixie Stampede, in TN. Larry Cadle of (Galion, OH.) mans the bass position, come from a variety of musical genres, but always comes back to bluegrass. On banjo, Codie Allen of (Campbellsville, KY). Codie is a recent graduate of Bluegrass at Campbellsville Community College. On fiddle, Eb Sunders (Chattanooga, TN.), Eb is 16 years old and a sophomore at Chattanooga State Community College studying Criminal Justice. Eb is the son of Owen Saunders, former James King Band mate with Kevin. All members of the band play multiple instruments and contribute vocally to the band.
Additional information can be found on the bands facebook page or website www.thekevinpraterband.com/