Anthony Hannigan (mandolin, vocals) is the 1999 National Mandolin Champion and has been playing bluegrass music from the age of four. Anthony has been involved with many recording projects and major artists for years. He is accomplished on the banjo, guitar, and fiddle as well as the mandolin and is the inspiration and writer of most of the band’s original music.  He is the founder of the Blue Merles, which took first place in the 1997 Winterhawk band competition. Anthony’s influences range from Vassar, Van Halen, Monk, Cavage, Pass, Moorse, Prince, Monroe, Parker, Baker and perhaps even James Brown. Whether it is creating tunes, or performing with the band, Anthony will leave an impression lasting long after the performance is over. Anthony is also one of the founders of Hickory Fest.

David Cavage (banjo, vocals) resides in Carbondale, Pennsylvania and Okeechobee, Florida.  Dave has been a member of many bands, including The Roots of Bluegrass, Appalachian Mountain Boys, and was a co-founder of the Blue Merles. Dave is also an avid pilot and often flies himself to his performances.  His banjo style has been called a work of brilliance and his influences include Tony Trischka, Allison Brown, Bela Fleck, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.  Whether it is soaring in the air, or flying on the neck, Dave is a master by all means. Dave is also one of the main folks at Music Moose.

Steve Belcher (acoustic bass) . Steve’s bass is the foundation for which the Project grows. Steve began his music involvement in the 60’s. His early passion for Bluegrass and Acoustic music developed in 70’s. He is the Founder of PA based Burnt Toast and TRI-founder of the amazing Blue Merles. He also developed a natural gift for promoting events .Having started the Canyon Country Bluegrass Festival and Tri-Founding Hickory Fest, Steve is well connected in the festival circuit. Steve has performed with Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Vassar, Flying Burrito Brothers and Bill Keith. He is also one of the founding members of Hickory Project.

Coleman Smith- (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals) is from Texas and has been playing his fiddle all of his life. He is one of the top cross over Violinists of all time. Coleman is a member of Doctor Horse Machine, The Money Notes, Lost Ramblers and many others. Coleman also holds a degree in Music from Marywood University and has been teaching fiddle, mandolin and guitar for nearly 10 years. He has traveled throughout the world with his fiddle bringing joy to all that hear him. Coleman has a unique style that fuses Jazz, Swing, Hip-Hop, Celtic and Bluegrass.

Craig Vance (Guitar, Vocals) began his career as a solo act playing warm-up sets for such noteworthy performers as Doc and Merle Watson, the Country Gentleman, and Berline, Crary, and Hickman. He has also performed on stage with master guitarist Norman Blake. Additionally, he has toured with Bill Keith and Frank Wakefield in the US and Canada and plays on Bill Keith's recent Green Linnet release "Beating Around the Bush". He can also be heard on the Second Fret Records release "Synergy" by the Noble Jones Project. Craig has taken first place honors in numerous guitar competitions, including the contests annually held at the Sugar Grove Fiddler's Convention and the Chilhowie Bluegrass Festival in Virginia.
Craig is also a contributing columnist for Flatpicking Guitar Magazine which is published bi-monthly.
He joined forces with the Celtic/Bluegrass band The McKrells in 1991 and played Carnegie Hall, Berkley Performing Arts Center, Lincoln Center and many other venues and festivals in the US as well as in Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
 

Mark Morris (Guitar, Vocals) Mark is the newest member of HP. He is a native of Colorado and has been involved in many musical projects and recordings over the years. He is also one of the best song writers on the scene today. His passion for music is only exceeded by his passion for POW (Snow). Mark is also an amazing extreme skier and will jump off of anything with his ski’s. Mark’s solid, driving rhythm and fantastic solo’s are sure to please one and all.

Billy Gilmore (Guitar, Vocals) is from Stuart, Florida. Billy got the urge to play music at an early age. By the time he was seven he was playing the five string banjo. In no time his passion for music was intensified and he decided to pick up the guitar and soon after the mandolin and fiddle.Billy has performed and was an active member with many bands, The Grass is Dead, Stonehouse, Crazy Fingers, Palms Bluegrass Band, Almost Acoustic Band and The Gilmore Family Band.

Danny Shipe (guitar, vocals) began singing and playing acoustic guitar in the mid 70's.  His bluegrass roots began in 1980 when he helped to form the band North Fork Alliance with whom he played for 14 years. In 1990 he co-founded the eclectic bluegrass band Burnt Toast.  Singers as diverse as Peter Rowan, Nancy Griffith, Stan Rogers and John Starling have inspired his unique vocal style.  Over the past 20 years he has performed at festivals and concerts throughout the US, Ireland, Scotland and England. His solid hard driving rhythm helps form the core of the band's tight sound.