| Copyright Snyder Family Band |
| November 2009 We are pleased to announce that the Snyder Family Band has been signed by Mountain Roads Recordings. Karl and Gail Cooler of Mountain Roads Recordings strive to promote unique bluegrass, old-time and mountain music. We are honored to be counted among their artists and look forward to the release of our CD with this fine record label. (Read official press release) Our family has been hard at work in the studio putting together our new CD project. Check back for more details on this project in the near future. |
| Zeb & Samantha with Gail & Karl Cooler |
| Samantha laying down vocal tracks |
| Zeb in studio |
| October 2009 The Snyder Family just returned from their first IBMA event in Nashville, TN. Our time was filled with meeting up with old friends, making new ones, attending shows, touring downtown Nashville, and of course jamming. (This left little time for eating and sleeping.) Owen's favorite part of the trip was riding the elevators and escalators. The highlight of the week was being invited by Dailey & Vincent, Entertainers of the Year, to perform at The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. The show was broadcast live on WSM 650-AM and will be archived on their site in the near future. Our entire trip to Nashville was certainly a fun filled time for the whole family. Now to catch up on some sleep! |
| Snyders on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree hosted by Dailey & Vincent. |
| August 2009 Well, here we are in late summer and what a summer it has been. The season has been great with visits to music venues, festivals and some of our favorite fiddler's conventions. Zeb and Samantha have enjoyed playing for all the great bluegrass folks in our shows and have been fortunate to bring home some competition ribbons. The Snyder Family Band has made some return visits to a few venues and had the opportunity to get to some new ones. We've even had the pleasure of getting back to the Cook Shack in Union Grove, NC, for a Saturday morning jam. It was great to see Myles & Pal Ireland (Cook Shack Owners) and all our friends again and hear the amazing talent that is shared every Saturday morning. We have a nice fall schedule lined up and are looking forward to all that lies ahead. |
| Hometown Opry - N. Wilkesboro, NC |
| Zeb wins 1st place in Adult Guitar Alleghany County Fiddler's Convention Sparta, NC |
| MusicFest at Sugar Grove Sugar Grove, NC |
| Samantha wins 1st place in Youth Bluegrass Fiddle Old Fiddler's Convention, Galax, VA |
| June 2009 In August of 2008, the Snyder Family Band had the privilege of performing on Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. PBS is now airing the series that will include this taping. Our show is number 13 in the lineup and we expect to begin seeing this air across the country around late July or the first of August 2009. North Carolina UNC-TV viewers can watch our segment on August 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. We share the show with Tim White and Friends. |
| May 2009 The Snyder Family Band was featured on FOX8 WGHP during the morning show on Friday, May 29th. Festival organizer Dee Tabb joined our family on camera to promote Festival in the Grove. It was a great experience and provided an opportunity for our family to see behind the scenes of the morning show. Thanks to all the folks at WGHP for making it a fun morning. |
| April 2009 This entry is a reflection of happenings and pictures from our very enjoyable past few months as a family band. We continue to be blessed by the opportunities for performances and new friends along the way. The new year began with a return visit to the Rex Theatre in Galax, VA, where we enjoyed a special appearance by fiddler, Tim Smith. More fun took place at the Patrick County Jam in Stuart, VA, where it was freezing outside but toasty warm inside with tons of great bluegrass. Tosco Music Party in Charlotte gave Zeb & Samantha a rousing response and warm welcome. Bluegrass First Class in Asheville, NC, brought another weekend of great memories with one of the highlights including an opportunity for Zeb to play on stage with one of his influences, Wyatt Rice. Thomasville's Fairgrove Music show was another sell out crowd and we made new friends in Ellenboro at Big Springs Baptist Church. The Farm Bureau Sales Meeting in Greensboro proved to be a great crowd. That brings us up to Renofest where Zeb competed among 20 outstanding pickers. He was fortunate to bring home a fifth place in a very stiff battle for top prize. We are now looking forward to the warm weather and festival season. Our schedule is constantly growing with new dates so please keep watch for a show near you and come see us! |
| Tosco Music Party |
| Zeb & Wyatt Rice |
| Zeb competing at RenoFest |
| CD Table |
| January 3, 2009 The Snyder Family Band debut CD has been voted among the top 50 Bluegrass Albums of 2008 by listeners of WNCW 88.7 FM. The top 50 countdown was announced on the "Goin' Across the Mountain" show hosted by Dennis Jones. We are truly honored to see our debut CD ranked 29th on a list which includes some of bluegrass music's best artists. See a complete list of the top 50 here. (Scroll down for the bluegrass list.) |
| December 18, 2008 Dennis Jones, WNCW radio host of Goin' Across the Mountain, invited the Snyders to spend an afternoon in Studio B. It was a great experience meeting Dennis and recording a segment for broadcast December 20, 2008 during the noon hour. Thanks to Dennis and Tom & Gail Watts for making this a special day. |
| The Snyder Family Band in Studio B at WNCW in Spindale, NC |
| Dennis Jones |
| October 15, 2008 The Snyder Family Band was invited to their first live radio interview on the Bluegrass Breakfast Show hosted by morning show personality Chuck Charles at WKGX 1080 AM in Lenoir, NC. It was a fun morning playing a few tunes and visiting with Chuck. A big thank you to WKGX for featuring our debut CD and having us in the studio! |
| September 2008 The month of September proved to be an exciting time for the Snyder Family with the arrival of our debut CD, a sell-out concert, first stage performance by Owen and more. In addition, while participating in a recent event, Zeb and Samantha had the privilege of meeting legendary Doc Watson with the assistance of David Holt and Helen White. |
| Zeb & Samantha surrounded by boxes of CDs. |
| David Holt, Zeb, Samantha and Doc Watson |
| August 2008 It is always a privilege to meet fellow musicians, but to share the stage is extra special. The Snyder Family stopped by Shindig on the Green in Asheville, NC and met up with Master Fiddler, Arvil Freeman. After introductions and a quick jam session, we were honored to have this fine fiddler join us during our set. |
| August 2, 2008 The Snyder Family performed at the beautiful Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA, as a part of the Song of the Mountains program. The evening was videotaped for later broadcast on PBS affiliates throughout the country. Many thanks go to Tim White for giving us this wonderful opportunity! |
| July 2008 Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth presented a wonderful evening of music at Fairgrove Music in Thomasville, NC and included Zeb & Samantha in the program. The group was joined by owner, John Hoffman, and featured triple fiddles. |
| July 2008 Zeb and Samantha were invited on stage to join David Holt and the Lightning Bolts for two tunes during an evening of music in Asheboro, NC. The evening was filled with great songs and stories by David Holt and his wonderfully talented band including Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth. Zeb & Samantha were honored to be a part of this show. |
| June 2008 The very first CD project is officially under way for the Snyder Family Band. Zeb, Samantha and Bud have been hard at work in the studio. Laine even joined in for some three part harmony. Owen has been a trooper and found all the buttons and computers very entertaining. Check back for more updates on the CD progress! |
| May 2008 Fiddler's Grove, home of the oldest continuous old time fiddler's contest in North America, was the setting for a very exciting weekend for Zeb and Samantha. Zeb claimed the Junior Guitar Championship for the second year in a row. Samantha was awarded Junior Bluegrass Fiddle Champion and went on to compete in a play-off for "Fiddler of the Festival." Going up against four other fiddle champions, one youth and three adults, nine year old Samantha was surprised and delighted to be named "Fiddler of the Festival" for the 2008 contest! Read More - Fiddler's Grove Press Release |
| Accompanied by Zeb, Samantha performed three tunes in the play-off for the honor of being named "Fiddler of the Festival." |
| Samantha, Wesley Easter & Zeb |
| Snyder Family Band |
| featuring Samantha & Zeb Snyder |
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| March 2010 "Comin' On Strong" is an exciting new release from the Snyder Family Band on Mountain Roads Recordings. This project includes instrumentals, gospel tunes and two original songs written by Samantha. "The Great Civil War" is Samantha's reflection on a significant time in US history. Zeb's work on the banjo gives this tune a unique sound. "What Will You Say," written by Samantha, is an upbeat gospel number with an enjoyable mix of mother daughter harmony. Also included on this project is a Donna Hughes tune "Little Bluebird." Karl Cooler with Mountain Roads Recordings says, "It’s a very difficult task to describe the power and enthusiasm that the Snyder Family Band convey through their music, their attitude, their freshness. To gain the full experience, you must attend one of their shows in person. After giving "Comin’ On Strong" a spin, I’m sure you will agree that bluegrass music is in good hands for a very, very long time to come. I can’t adequately convey to you our excitement of having the Snyder Family Band join our family of artists and be able to offer their music to you." |
| New CD Release "Comin' On Strong" (Order from our store) |
| Arvil Freeman |
| March - April 2010 Spring has been a blast for the Snyder Family. Here are some highlights so far: We celebrated the official release of our new CD "Comin' On Strong" at the Pickin' Porch in Bristol, VA. Karl and Gail Cooler with Mountain Roads Recordings provided cake and a good time was had by all. We also did a live TV interview with News 5 WCYB in Bristol and recorded a radio program with Tim White. Zeb claimed second place at RenoFest South Carolina Guitar Competition. The competitors included three national flatpicking champions. We are looking forward to the remainder of our spring schedule that has us returning to some of our favorite festivals and making appearances at some new ones. |
News 5 TV interview at
WCYB with Tarah Taylor
in Bristol, VA
WCYB with Tarah Taylor
in Bristol, VA
| Zeb competing at Renofest, Hartsville, SC |
| Samantha and Zeb on stage at the Merlefest Midnight Jam with Byron House and Barry Waldrep |
| May 2010 After attending several MerleFest Festivals, The Snyder Family Band had the honor of being performers at this prestigious event. The days were filled with playing sets, visiting with old friends and making new friends. Saturday at MerleFest was capped off by our family being invited by host, Zac Brown, to be a part of the "Midnight Jam" that showcases many of the finest musicians playing at MerleFest. Zeb, Samantha & Bud played "Little Bluebird" and then Byron House came out and played bass while Barry Waldrep joined in on mandolin for a rousing "Sally Goodin." |
| June 2010 We are very honored and excited to be invited by the IBMA to peform as an official showcase band for the World of Bluegrass Business Conference! The event will be held the week of September 27, 2010 in Nashville, TN, in the Nashville Convention Center. This showcase will give The Snyder family the opportunity to share our music with event producers, broadcasters, media and other prominent industry professionals attending the event. Snyder Family Official showcase time will be Tuesday, September 28 at 8:15 p.m. |
| August 2010 The summer has flown by with some great festivals and events for the Snyder family. We've enjoyed meeting up with our friends and making new ones. Zeb and Samantha competed in one of our favorite fiddler's conventions in Galax, VA. Zeb came home with 1st place in Junior Mandolin. He entered Adult Guitar among more than 300 contestants and got 4th place. Samantha tried her hand among more than 100 Adult Fiddlers and came home with 2nd place (her teacher, Glen Alexander, took 1st). |
| Samantha competing at Galax Old Fiddlers' Convention with Zeb, her faithful back up. |