Snyder Family Band

Copyright Snyder Family Band

Home About Schedule News Contact Store Photos

When Bud and Laine Snyder started their young kids in classical music lessons, they didn't expect to find them
on stage other than a recital here and there. Now music is a big part of life for this North Carolina family as
Samantha, age thirteen, and Zeb, age sixteen, have excelled in their individual instruments and the art of
entertaining. As the two youngsters began to perform more often as a duo, their music interest turned toward
Bluegrass. While Samantha plays fiddle and Zeb the guitar, there seemed to be something missing. So, Dad was
surprised by an upright bass on his birthday and it was only a matter of time before Bud would join them on
stage. The Snyder's show includes instrumentals as well as vocal numbers by Samantha and Zeb, with Mom,
Laine, joining in occasionally to add three part harmony. Now the family enjoys evenings "circled around" the
living room working on upcoming performances and simply making music together. They all look forward to the
time when little brother, Owen, now six years old, will make his musical contribution to the Snyder Family Band.

Samantha Snyder
Samantha began playing classical violin at age three in the
Suzuki method. By age four she was playing duets with
Zeb, who was learning classical guitar. At age seven she
made the transition to bluegrass by taking fiddle lessons,
playing in jam sessions and competing in fiddler’s
conventions. In 2007 Samantha won first place at the
Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Competition at the Blue Ridge
Music Center in Galax, VA. The prize was a fiddle made
by luthier and fiddler Jimmy Edmonds. In 2008 at age
nine she became the youngest ever to win the prestigious
Fiddler of the Festival award at Fiddler’s Grove in Union
Grove, NC, home of the oldest fiddler’s competition in
North America. Along with playing fiddle, Samantha
enjoys singing lead and harmony vocals.

Zeb Snyder
Zeb began classical guitar lessons at age seven and
built a great musical foundation in the Suzuki method.
When he broadened his interest to include bluegrass at
age eleven he entered a new phase that brought him
to his favorite style of playing the guitar –
flatpicking. He progressed by leaps and bounds and
eagerly joined in any jam session. Zeb has won many
guitar competitions since he began flatpicking. In
2007, he won the top prize, a Wayne C. Henderson
guitar, at the Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Competition
at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, VA. A true
student of the music, Zeb enjoys watching and
listening to great players and bands.

Bud Snyder
Bud's musical training began in high school
as a percussionist in the school band.
With this his only talent in music he did
not expect, at this time in his life, to
learn a new instrument. It was not until
his children needed a bass player for the
family band that Bud stepped up to the
challenge. Taking tips from Zeb and fellow
players, he now contributes a smooth
steady beat that adds depth to the
growing talents of his children. He truly
enjoys the bond that making music
provides as it allows him to be a part of
this family band.

Owen Snyder
The youngest member of the Snyder family,
Owen, has had an interest in all the
bluegrass instruments from the beginning. He
is currently taking classical guitar lessons in
the Suzuki method. He makes occasional
stage appearances singing and entertaining
the crowd. Owen has many friends in the
bluegrass world and loves to see them out on
the road. The rest of the family is ready
for him to join the fun full time on stage.

Laine Snyder
Happy to sit and listen to the developing
talents of her young children, you can
occasionally find Laine on stage adding her voice
to create three part harmony. Growing up in a
family of four girls, she has a love for harmony
from her days of singing with her sisters at
home, in the car and in church. Laine is kept
busy during performances off stage by
entertaining the youngest Snyder, four year old
Owen. It is her joy to sit back and watch
husband, Bud, join children, Zeb and Samantha,
as they blend their God given talents.