The name LED39, pronounced L.E.D.39 (el-e-de thirty-nine), implies that this is a contemporary band. The image the band presents might lead one in that direction as well. When in fact, the only component of the band's sound that is not in keeping with the traditional school of bluegrass, is the replacement of the fiddle with lead guitar. The rhythmic approach, the vocal styling, the stage show, all these things show the influence traditional bluegrass has had on LED39.

All the members share a love of traditional bluegrass and yet each has been influenced by other genres as well. This diversity is what allows them to come together and create a traditional sound that is uniquely their own.

As the lead singer and guitarist for the band, Brance Gillihan has perhaps the greatest influence on the choice of material the band performs. While his love of Del McCoury does lead to some covers of the esteemed artist's songs, Brance also draws on his other influences when choosing material. "I love bluegrass, but there is a lot of great material out there. Some of it is new, but sounds old. Some of it is old, but can be made to sound new. That's what we're trying to do here, create a sound that is new and exciting, but at the same time, familiar." Brance began playing guitar in 1992. Three short years later he decided bluegrass music was where he wanted to be. He moved to Levelland, TX and enrolled in the bluegrass program at South Plains College. Under the tutelage of Alan Munde and Joe Carr, Brance began to develop both as a guitar player and as an ensemble player. Brance now lives in southwest Virginia where he runs Clear Blue Productions Ltd. a digital audio and video recording studio.

Dave Carney came early to bluegrass music. He remembers attending his first bluegrass festival at age five. He began picking the banjo at an early age and had the opportunity to be around some very good musicians to start. Dave also does a lot of singing in the band. He sings most of the tenor and contributes several leads. His taste varies widely as is shown by his song selection. His banjo playing provides the little push necessary to 'drive' a band. Tasteful, melodic, and always in time, Dave is a banjo player that truly understands what it is to be a team player. Out front and driving one minute, then gently supporting another lead or the vocals, it's the kind of banjo playing other musicians enjoy playing with. Dave gained much of his experience at South Plains College, but went on to hone his skills on the road with fiddler Billy Joe Foster. "I had the honor to work with Billy Joe as part of his Special Edition. As a kid I grew up listening to this band. Billy Joe is a wonderful singer, songwriter, and musician. I appreciate the wisdom that Billy Joe, Phill Elliott, and Bill Honker offered me while I was in the band." Dave currently lives in Nashville, TN where he runs his own photography business. CarneyStyle handles all the photography for LED39.

Joe Hannabach began playing the bass as child in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. His father put together a family band and so Joe gained a lot of good experience from the beginning. Since those early days in the Ozarks, Joe has been a part of a serious dawg music band, recorded with a couple of regional bluegrass bands, and has been in some very high placing, "throw together" Galax, and other contest bands. "Sometimes the fun of being a bass player is getting to play several different kinds of music with a variety of people!" Joe's musical influences range from the Lilly Brothers to Sam Bush. No matter the origin of the song, Joe realizes the importance of pushing the rhythm and playing bass with an attitude. His rock solid timing and great tone are the foundation for the sound created by LED39. Joe now lives outside Winston- Salem, NC were he works as a Sales Rep in pharmaceuticals.

In keeping with the traditional focus of the band, the guys called on long time musical hero and friend, Herschel Sizemore to contribute the mandolin parts on the record. "Herschel is not only a great mandolin player, he's a great guy as well. We had a lot of fun in the studio with Herschel and hope to have the opportunity to work with him again in the future."

The band is excited about this release and hopes you enjoy listening to it. Heading into 2003, LED39 looks forward to a year filled with great music.