The Champions are a group of four phenomenally talented musicians who have come together
for the sole purpose of making great music and memories, and bringing a smile to audiences across the nation.
Ted Yoder plays hammered dulcimer. You've heard people play hammered dulcimer before – the guy at the Maple Syrup Festival last spring; that Christmas CD you picked up in that gift shop in Tennessee. That's not Ted. He plays his dulcimer almost like a piano, unafraid to tackle complex rhythms and unusual harmonics. Ted is the 2010 National Hammered Dulcimer Champion, and been featured on the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour. He has performed at the Gaither Fall Festival, and has released three CD’s.
Brian Keith Wallen is an incredibly accomplished 19 year old. He has released sixteen CD’s, and performed over 400 shows at venues like Dollywood and the Ryman Auditorium. He is the Cincy Blues Champion, an International Blues Challenge finalist, and was just named the 2011 Blues Artist of the Year. CityBeat magazine called him "the future of Cincinnati blues", and Peter Clitheroe of England's "Suffolk n' Cool" says that Brian is "an amazing, prodigious talent."
Dean Phelps combines rock steady Travis-style guitar picking with a soulful vocal style for music that connects with a variety of folks, from concert hall to church pew to open air festival, all ages and all walks of life. He is the 2010 Indiana State Thumbpick Guitar Champion, and he placed third in the National Thumbpick Guitar Contest in Mountain View, Ark. He has released three CD's.
Marty Price is a gifted dobro player with a long list of collaborations to his credit. He is a true talent and an asset to anyone he performs with. A friend of Jerry Douglas, he has also performed at the Ryman Auditorium, and his abilities as a songwriter and musician are second to none.
for the sole purpose of making great music and memories, and bringing a smile to audiences across the nation.
Ted Yoder plays hammered dulcimer. You've heard people play hammered dulcimer before – the guy at the Maple Syrup Festival last spring; that Christmas CD you picked up in that gift shop in Tennessee. That's not Ted. He plays his dulcimer almost like a piano, unafraid to tackle complex rhythms and unusual harmonics. Ted is the 2010 National Hammered Dulcimer Champion, and been featured on the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour. He has performed at the Gaither Fall Festival, and has released three CD’s.
Brian Keith Wallen is an incredibly accomplished 19 year old. He has released sixteen CD’s, and performed over 400 shows at venues like Dollywood and the Ryman Auditorium. He is the Cincy Blues Champion, an International Blues Challenge finalist, and was just named the 2011 Blues Artist of the Year. CityBeat magazine called him "the future of Cincinnati blues", and Peter Clitheroe of England's "Suffolk n' Cool" says that Brian is "an amazing, prodigious talent."
Dean Phelps combines rock steady Travis-style guitar picking with a soulful vocal style for music that connects with a variety of folks, from concert hall to church pew to open air festival, all ages and all walks of life. He is the 2010 Indiana State Thumbpick Guitar Champion, and he placed third in the National Thumbpick Guitar Contest in Mountain View, Ark. He has released three CD's.
Marty Price is a gifted dobro player with a long list of collaborations to his credit. He is a true talent and an asset to anyone he performs with. A friend of Jerry Douglas, he has also performed at the Ryman Auditorium, and his abilities as a songwriter and musician are second to none.
