The Grass Valley Stringband was formed in 2023 when Karen Greenhaw met Dave Earl at a Foothills Bluegrass jam. Their focus is on the string band music that became the foundation of Bluegrass, combining a high-energy mix of Appalachian fiddle tunes, old-school brother duet harmonies, rags, Celtic, Western Swing, a bit o’ jazz, and a taste of the Blues.
Its members have played the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Wolf Mountain, Woodland, Scotts Valley, Plymouth, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, SFBOT, Bluegrass by the River in Arizona, and CBA Father’s Day (Main Stage and Vern’s Stage).
The band is Karen Greenhaw on fiddle and vocals; Dave Earl on mandolin, vocals, harmonica, and guitar; Scot Brenton on guitar and vocals; Roke Whitson on clawhammer banjo; and Scotty Prawalsky on upright bass. Karen grew up playing classical music but fell in love with Bluegrass, Celtic, and Old-time music as a teenager. She’s played with Blackthorn Celtic band, Highway 49, Faultline, Natural Drift, and the Banner Mountain Boys. Her amazing fiddle sound drives Grass Valley Stringband’s eclectic mix of vintage music.
GVSB leader Dave Earl moved to Grass Valley from the Bay Area in 2015. He has spent a lifetime performing, studying, and recording American Roots Music. He’s a current member of Al Lubanne’s Mountain Ear Benders and has played with John Murphy’s Carolina Special, Dave Earl and Friends, Keystone Station, and with CBA Co-Founder Jake Quesenberry. Grass Valley resident Scot Brenton is another Bay Area transplant. He’s recorded and toured with numerous renowned Blues artists and the San Francisco Bluegrass band, The Bernal Hillbillies. Scotty Prawalsky (aka Brad) has played upright bass for 30 years. He’s been the bass man for Alkali Flats, West Nile Ramblers, and Little Charlie Baty’s Caravan. Roke Whitson’s Round Peak clawhammer banjo style is an important component of GVSB’s distinctive Old-time sound. He’s played with bands Fire in the Kitchen, Full Tilt, and Chance of Showers.