West End String Band

Charlie McDaniel, guitar and vocals, moved to the upstate area about 20 years ago from Rutherford County, N.C. He was a member of the popular regional band, Hickory Flat, for over 20 years. Hickory Flat brought home a top 10 finish in the SPGMA bluegrass band world championship, followed by several busy years on the festival circuit. Charlie‘s soulful singing puts the blues in bluegrass.

After moving to Greenville, Charlie met his wife-to-be Kathy. She grew up singing American traditional songs with her father in Northwestern Ohio. As a percussionist in high school, she won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for piano. Kathy became a die-hard bluegrass fan the first time she attended the popular Pickin’ at Pickens Bluegrass Festival. After going to bluegrass jams and shows with Charlie, she decided to take up a new instrument. Her great timing and true love for the music made the bass a great choice for her. She anchors the group now with her rock solid timing and harmony vocals.

We met Brian VanAntwerp at Albino Skunk Fest. He soon became a vital band member providing sizzling fiddle playing, harmonies, and memorable lead vocals. Brian is a transplant to the Upstate from Michigan. He majored in music at Michigan State. He is a music teacher and gives fiddle lessons to students of all ages.

Julie Brown is the latest addition to WESB. She is an accomplished “Scruggs-Style “banjo player and harmony singer. Julie is a multi-instrumentalist and brings 30 some years of playing experience to the group. Her versatility adds and strengthens the traditional bluegrass and honky-tonk sound of the band.