The Local Boys

• John Akin - Mandolin
• Aaron Soots - Guitar
• Steve Holman - Guitar/Bass/Cello
• Thomas Rape - Banjo
• Eric Childers - Dobro
• Will Miller - Drums

The Local Boys are a band that has been waiting for the appellation
"Americana", as "Bluegrass" just doesn't cover the material they do.
While all members of The Local Boys have deep roots in traditional
music, they also have a love for the musical styles that influenced and
evolved from old time, country, and bluegrass.

The Local Boys are fairly standard in their acoustic
instrumental arrangement. Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Dobro and Mandolin. Where they differ from most groups is that they have four superb lead
vocalists who also sing harmonies. This gives them an unparalleled
ability to find the perfect combination of voices to render any song.


The members of The Local Boys are:


John G. Akin - Mandolin. Born in Texas and can sing a ballad so sweet it will bring tears from a stone.

Aaron Soots - Guitar. An original Wilkes County wildman. If Aaron
is not playing guitar, he is practicing guitar. A gifted and talented
musician.

Steve Holman - Guitar/Bass/Cello. Son of a family of Wilkes County
mountaineers, Mr. Holman studied under the finest of old time fiddlers,
as well as pursuing classical training. He plays with The Local Boys, is
a cellist in a classical string consort, and often performs with an alternative rock band.

Eric Childers - Dobro. Eric has a rare talent. While he can play
any form of music, his approach is strongly traditional. Whether he's
playing Monroe or Monk, you'll think "By gum, that's how it oughta be
played!

Tommy Rape - Banjo. Born and raised in the small town of Stanley, North Carolina. Again, traditionally rooted and technically accomplished. His fit with this ensemble is better than a custom tailored suit.


If you like Bluegrass, stay and listen to The Local Boys. You
may hear some Blues, some Rock & Roll, some old Country and Rockabilly.
It's good music with a lot of variety, played in the down home style. It
will touch your heart and raise your spirit.

• Summertime
• Oklahoma Hills
• Ride Me High - Bob Dylan
• Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny cash
• Sea of Heartbreak
• Amy
• Honky Tonk Woman
• Thunder Road
• Long Black Veil
• Last Kiss
• Friend of the Devil
• Margaritaville
• Red Haired Boy
• Runaway
• Brown Eyed Girl
• Last Dance with Mary Jane
• Knocking on Heavens Door
• Blue Light
• Leaving on a Jet Plane
• Rocky Top
• Salty Dog Blues
• Dooley
• Nine Pound Hammer
• "King of the Hill" Theme
• Song For Life
• Norwegian Wood
• Kansas City
• Can’t Ya See
• Walk on Boy
• Man of Constant Sorrow
• Wagon Wheel
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• We hired The Local Boys for an outdoor oyster roast. They were extremely professional and friendly and we were extremely pleased with their performance. I would definitely recommend them for any type of venue and I would hire them again in a minute. -- Stacy C, Statesville, NC, 11/5/2010
• The Local Boys learned a special song for the father/daughter dance upon request and brought tears to my dad's eyes when he heard it. Many guests commented on what a wide variety of music the band could play covering everything from traditional bluegrass to all-time party favorites to more contemporary stuff like Jason Mraz. The band members are also multi-talented, being able to switch back and forth between instruments. All in all, they were professional, considerate, reliable and a whole lot of fun. I would certainly hire this band again and would recommend them to anyone looking for a great bluegrass band with the ability to appeal to a diverse audience. -- Erin H, New Hill, NC, 6/12/2010
• BAND WAS PROACTIVE IN BOOKING & FILLING ANY SPECIAL NEED. USE OF WEBSITE WAS VERY EASY! BAND IN CONTACT IN FINAL WEEK TO WORK OUT LAST DETAILS. LOSS OF BAND MEMBER WAS MORE THAN MADE UP FOR BY REMAINING MEMBERS. PARTY-GOERS VERY COMPLIMENTARY. BAND POSED FOR PICTURE,TOOK REQUESTS,& LET HUSBAND SING WITH THEM. VERY EASY PROCESS AND VERY GOOD SOUNDING, EASY TO WORK WITH PLAYERS. WOULD BOOK AGAIN. -- Cynthia A, Salisbury, NC, 10/24/2009
• Steve was great! In the frenzy of a rainy outdoor wedding he was already set up and playing when I (the groom) got there. He covered all of our requests at just the right times, and went above and beyond our expectations playing both violin and cello in weather that instruments do not like! Thanks Steve! -- Eric M, Ferguson, NC, 9/26/2009
• The local boys were amazing, definitely one of my most favorite parts of my wedding! They were professional, extremely talented and a lot of fun. I have had many guest from the wedding ask me for their information and tell me that it was the best reception they have ever been to! If you are looking for a wonderful blue grass band that can cover many songs and will keep your guest entertained, this is definitely the group for you! -- Megan P, High Point, NC, 6/19/2010
• Very, very good and much better than I thought they would be. Easy to work with and very professional. They were more than accommodating to our needs, and brought some great ideas to the table too. Really wouldn't have changed a thing. The crowd loved them and had a blast the entire night. I have heard nothing but praises for them from all our guests. They knew how to read the crowd and really keep the evening rolling. Superb! -- Brian H, Fort Mill, SC, 7/3/2010
• They were wonderful!!! We had such a great time. They band totally worked with us and played they songs that we requested. We would recommend them for any event that you need a bluegrass band. -- Kirsha R, Durham, NC, 8/7/2010
• I'm a big bluegrass fan and wanted a good bluegrass band to play at my 50th birthday that could also play some old time rock and roll and country and I can not say enough about how pleased I was with The Local Boys! They were interactive with the crowd, there was close to 100 people at the party and The Local Boys got everyone dancing around and having a wonderful time!! Very pleased with everything they did! Tim L Davidson NC -- Lynne H, Davidson, NC, 7/24/2010
• We had a LOT of comments about how great these guys were during and after the event. They are very talented and have a diverse style that lets them play a little bit of everything very well. I would hire them again in a heartbeat. I gave their information to several guests afterward who were really interested in having them perform at various functions. -- Chris S, High Point, NC, 7/10/2010
• The Local Boys helped make our rehearsal dinner/dance a success by keeping the guests dancing and entertained. There was never a dull moment and everyone had a wonderful time. They are very talented!! Several guests commented on how delightful the music was. we would definitely book them again! -- Susan D, Banner Elk, NC, 10/1/2010
• I had the Local Boys play at a party at my house in September. From start to finish they were professional, timely and above all easy to work with. The Local Boys were accommodating to our needs, timely and highly professional. The music and play list was amazing and all of my guests raved at how talented they were and how much fun we all had listening to them. I have already recommended them to others and will continue to do so. I hope I have the opportunity to hire The Local Boys in the future. -- Brian K, Winston-Salem, NC, 9/18/2010

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