Amanda Cook, raised in Florida, now finds her home in the Virginia Mountains. She learned bluegrass from her father, an avid banjo player. In 2007, she started the group High Cotton with her father and this inspired her to tour professionally. In 2013, determined to create her own unique sound, Amanda stepped out on her own and released her first solo album, One Stop Along the Road. The self-released album brought Amanda her first radio chart success, appearing on the Top 150 Roots Music Bluegrass Album Charts for 2014 and 2015. In addition, she achieved significant regional attention that furthered her desire to grow her brand by establishing a full touring band.

In early 2017, Amanda signed with Mountain Fever Records and recorded her debut album On Deep Water. Amanda was excited for her second album project, especially since she and band member Carolyne Van Lierop co-wrote the title track. Amanda has created quite a loyal fan base through her palpable delivery of soul-wrenching songs. In addition, her light-hearted, down-to-earth style helps her create an undeniably strong connection with her audience.

In late 2018, Amanda signed a seven-year, five-album contract with Mountain Fever Records. On October 14, 2022, Mountain Fever Records released Amanda’s 4th full length project, Changes, which debuted at #1 on Billboard Bluegrass charts. Amanda Cook continues to garner chart success and critical acclaim.

“Amanda Cook has emerged as one of the most dynamic female bluegrass vocalists and bandleaders of today.” — The Bluegrass Situation

 

Members

Carolyne Van Lierop-Boone

Carolyne was raised in Blountstown, Florida, and started loving bluegrass from watching the Lewis Family Show. Carolyne learned the five-string banjo and in 2002 joined her grandfather’s band, Sheriff’s Posse. Later she created the band, The Rivertown Girls, with her cousins. They played festivals throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and produced three albums for the six years they were together. Carolyne then played with the Big Bend and Big River Bluegrass Band. She was a founding member of The Amanda Cook Band, starting in 2013. She now resides in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Joshua Faul

Joshua Faul started playing the electric bass when he was seventeen, and played for local church services. In 2010, he discovered his love for bluegrass after filling in for a spot in Delta Reign for a festival in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This inspired him to buy an upright bass. He performed with Delta Reign for the next five years and recorded three albums. He joined The Amanda Cook Band in 2017.

Troy Boone

Troy Boone was raised in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. He grew up listening to bluegrass, learning much from his musical family. He started playing banjo at seven years old and traded the instrument for a guitar. He played guitar throughout childhood and found inspiration from classic rock and blues guitarists. He learned mandolin his senior year of high school, practicing during his lunch period because he had received an F style from his brother. He attended East Tennessee State University and in 2016 joined the Raleigh based bluegrass band, Sideline. He toured the country with them for three years. He now teaches music and engineering, and plays at Ole Smoky Distillery in his free time.

George Mason

George Mason, raised in Arkansas, started playing fiddle at age eight, taking lessons from Wayne Gourd. He started participating in gigs at age nine. He played his first full-time gig at 14 years old at the Dogpatch USA theme park, then began touring with Tommy Overstreet and the Nashville Express when he was 16. Between ages 19 and 24, he played fiddle for the following Grand Ole Opry stars: Jean Sheppard, Jeanie Sealie, Freddy Hart, Johnny Duncan, Jack Green Del Reeves, Melba Montgomery, Stonewall Jackson, Cal Smith, and Charlie Louvin. At age 25 he started working as Stage/Musical Director for the Osmond Brothers. He also toured with Patti Page on violin, and the Lawrence Welk Orchestra for violin and guitar. He joined the Amanda Cook Band in July of 2016.

Brady Wallen

Brady Wallen is originally from Williamsburg, Kentucky but now lives in Sevierville, Tennessee. He grew up in a musically talented family and began playing guitar at the age of seven, learning from his cousins and playing guitar in his high school’s bluegrass program, the Whitley County Colonel Strings, led by Rob Powers. He is an Eastern Tennessee State University (ETSU) alumni and previous member of the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, which he completed while touring with the Clay Hess Band for a couple of years. He left the band and started playing banjo for Dreamcatcher at Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. He still plays there when he’s not touring with the Amanda Cook Band, which he joined in 2021.