Band Bios
The String Machine was founded in early 2009 by banjoist Marshall Gray with a desire to develop a band that was willing to “color outside of the lines” by integrating a variety of music styles and approaches into the bluegrass genera. All with a desire to expand the audience base for bluegrass music, while keeping enough traditional material to maintain its' bluegrass roots. As a result, a typical String Machine set could feature some familiar traditional or contemporary country, bluegrass, rock, blues, gospel, old time, Americana, classical, or originals served up with “The Machines” special touch. Thus the term “bluegrass unleashed”!
Marshall Gray was mesmerized by the sound of the five string banjo at an early age by listening to musicians in and around his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia and from visits to local bluegrass festivals with his dad. While his high school buddies were banging heads to Van Halen and Led Zeplin, Marshall was also listening to his grand-dad's Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves albums while studying local live performances by old time fiddle great Burk Barbour and banjo legend Don Reno. He first picked up the banjo at age 19 to learn "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and got "hooked"! As an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University, he enrolled in the now renown "bluegrass band class" and studied not only acoustic instruments, but band dynamics under Jack Tottle. Then, in graduate school at Virginia Tech, Marshall fell into a "hotbed" of awesome musicians in Southwest Virginia at the end of the famed "Crooked Road". As a career Naval and US Public Health Service Officer, Marshall (a.k.a. Captain Gray) has moved around a bit but has found time to play in a number of bluegrass, gospel, and “Americana” bands from Georgina to Virginia. Although he loves the authentic "feel" of bluegrass, he enjoys a wide range of music. He is thrilled with the energy, talent, creativity, and openness of his musical partners in The String Machine. As a Christian, it is important to Marshall that at least one gospel based song be performed by "The Machine" each set. He currently resides in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Marshall Gray was mesmerized by the sound of the five string banjo at an early age by listening to musicians in and around his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia and from visits to local bluegrass festivals with his dad. While his high school buddies were banging heads to Van Halen and Led Zeplin, Marshall was also listening to his grand-dad's Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves albums while studying local live performances by old time fiddle great Burk Barbour and banjo legend Don Reno. He first picked up the banjo at age 19 to learn "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and got "hooked"! As an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University, he enrolled in the now renown "bluegrass band class" and studied not only acoustic instruments, but band dynamics under Jack Tottle. Then, in graduate school at Virginia Tech, Marshall fell into a "hotbed" of awesome musicians in Southwest Virginia at the end of the famed "Crooked Road". As a career Naval and US Public Health Service Officer, Marshall (a.k.a. Captain Gray) has moved around a bit but has found time to play in a number of bluegrass, gospel, and “Americana” bands from Georgina to Virginia. Although he loves the authentic "feel" of bluegrass, he enjoys a wide range of music. He is thrilled with the energy, talent, creativity, and openness of his musical partners in The String Machine. As a Christian, it is important to Marshall that at least one gospel based song be performed by "The Machine" each set. He currently resides in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Brian Johnson grew up on a farm in Benson, NC, where he began playing piano at age 10. He recalls his family gathering around the piano on Sundays at his grandparents and playing bluegrass music. His grandfather played fiddle and guitar, as well as most of the other family members. As a child Brian won a music talent contest that led to the study of piano for several years. That opened the door for school band playing the saxophone and drums. Later in high school came guitar, all learned by ear. Brian played drums for money at age 17 with a top 40/Beach/Motown group called Gingerbread. About 4 years he later began playing keys for country bands, Hannah Creek, Modern Day Cowboys, CC Ryder, The Delmonicos, and most recently Reno Station. Brain has shared the stage with Darryl Singletary, Wade Hayes, Tracy Lawerence, Confederate Railroad, Chelley Wright, Gene Watson, and many others. Some of his bluegrass and country influences include IIIrd Tyme Out, The Lonesome River Band, Doyle Lawson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Wayland Jennings. Brian is excited about becoming a member of The String Machine. He lives in Benson, NC and is the father of three girls, ages 20, 18, and 10. All of them sing in school ensembles.
A chance visit to Weiser, Idaho’s National Fiddle Championship at age six started it all. Born in the west, Shannon Thorne's move to North Carolina landed her smack in the middle of bluegrass country. This classically trained farm girl was ready to chase her childhood dream of fiddling. Shannon started playing at the age of nine on her great grandfather’s violin from Germany. She studied with Edith Tolstrup (Utah Symphony), Lori Casperson (Seattle & Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestras) and abroad with Joseph Flury (Switzerland). Shannon majored in Performing and Fine Arts/ Foreign Language playing and performing throughout high school and college. Prior to fiddling with The String Machine, Shannon enjoyed a two and a half year stint with the all-girl bluegrass band, Sweet Potato Pie. She loves driving bluegrass! Shannon is a fan of Mountain Heart, Lonesome River Band, III Tyme Out, and Alison Krauss and the Union Station. You can find her pickin’ all over the state, as she tries to make up for lost time. She claims she has fiddling in the blood, but learning to come in the musical “backdoor” has proven a challenge. Give her a few years to soak it up….
Tim Lee began is mandolin dream in his early 30's while living in Atlanta, GA and quickly got hooked on bluegrass music. He hails from Marion, Ohio but has made many a home before making a happy landing in North Carolina. Tim like to keep his iPod filled with many musical style, from 70's progressive rock, acoustic blues, Bing Crosby, Tim Obrien, Bill Monroe, and vintage country all in the mix. In addition to playing, singing lead and harmonies, Tim enjoys writing and arranging songs. Tim is the newest member of "The Machine" where is musical style and approach to the music instantly clicked!! Tim is a full-time illistrator and graphic designer living a creative life in Cary, NC with his wife, children, and few pets.
Phil Wise
is fairly new to the Bluegrass world but has been a quick study at
melding his country/blues/rock background with traditional Bluegrass
stylings. He first began playing guitar at the age of 13, and quickly
became an in demand picker on the Country circuit by age 15. Before the
age of 16 he was splitting time between school work and regional tours
with “Ambush” playing large clubs in the Carolina’s and Virginia. After
attending his first Bluegrass Festival, Phil was bit by the acoustic
music bug and quickly began doing his “homework” at open jams all
around the state. At one of his first jams, he played with Marshall
Gray for the first time and both made note to follow up on their
musical chemistry when the time was right. “The Machine” turned out to
be just that opportunity! His guitar influences include unknown pickers
in campgrounds across North Carolina, Tony Rice, Stevie Ray Vaughn,
Eric Johnson, Chet Atkins, Brent Mason, and his childhood idol Tim
Creech. Phil has a mailbox on his truck, but occasionally resides at
his home in Selma, North Carolina.