Chris Hill (25)

Chris Hill was born and raised in Covington, Kentucky, where he grew up listening to old Southern Gospel and Stanley Brothers albums with his Grandmother. Following in the steps of his Uncle Glenn who performed and taught clogging, Chris spent his school years as a competitive clogger, excelling in traditional buck dancing and twice being named National Champion. Chris's competitive clogging career took him to Japan, and the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. After hearing Eddie Adcock kick-off Matterhorn at the age of 21, Chris settled on learning the banjo. Immersed himself in all things bluegrass with a specific affinity for Carter and Ralph Stanly. Chris picked nothing but Stanley Brothers (which his parents can painfully attest to) for better than three solid years. Chris eventually branched out, and is equally comfortable playing straight-ahead Scruggs, Reno, or Stanley style. After playing with several bands local to the bluegrass-rich area of southern Ohio and Kentucky, Chris began with the Wildwood Valley Boys. Chris then played with the talented Gerald Evans and Paradise, enjoyed a short stint with the James King Band, and then began with The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show. Chris loved playing the Jake Jenkins, Chuck Berry-type banjo style with Karl, but eventually returned to work with the James King Band who toured more extensively. After spending nearly 4 years in Nashville, TN., Chris recently moved back to Covington, Kentucky, where he was born and raised.