Darlene & Reflections of Bluegrass -
an energetic group based out of Columbia, South Carolina, incorporates the classic sound of yesterday’s country with the contemporary sound of today’s bluegrass. Their unique styling blend along with their exceptional talents places this group into a league of their own.
Darlene & Reflections of Bluegrass are planting their unique blend of bluegrass and growing fans with every performance along the way. Their stage presence is pure enjoyment!
Darlene Champagne – (Lead & backup vocals, rhythm guitar):
Darlene moved to South Carolina in 1989. She was born in Connecticut, where she grew up in a musical family and musical surroundings.
In her childhood a typical weekend consisted of local, as well as professional bluegrass musicians dropping by and jamming in the living room. She has fond memories of a father who taught her and encouraged her to sing and play.
Darlene started singing at age 3 appearing onstage for the 1st time at age 6, and made her first record at age 15. She performed and recorded with the Pike brothers (“The Pike Brothers and the Pine Hill Ranchers”) who were with Rebel Records at that time, and close friends of the family.
Darlene has performed throughout the New England states; Western Pennsylvania and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, as well as the tri-state area here in South Carolina. She has also appeared on TV and Radio and met and sang with Hank Williams Jr., The Osborne Brothers, and others as well as having done some back-up singing for the late Rick Danko of the legendary group The Band.
Johnny Fenlayson – (Banjo, lead guitar, resonator guitar and backup vocals):
Johnny has held the title of Southeastern Champion three times as well as being awarded South Carolina State Champion twice on the banjo. He probably knows as much about the fret board of a 5-string banjo as any man who has ever chosen to take on the challenge of the thirteen-pound instrument.
A gifted musician, he started playing in 1966 at age thirteen. When he was fourteen he joined his first organized band, Joe Wise and The Carolina Boys. Following that, he then played for several years with Red Hutto and the Sand Mountain Boys.
His distinctive playing incorporates both melodic and Scruggs style. He was influenced by Scruggs, JD Crowe, Fleck, and his mentor, the legendary “Snuffy” Jenkins. Johnny is one of the few to have ever had his tutelage. Johnny said, “Snuffy showed me the basic rolls and then I listened to all the Earl Scruggs albums. In fact, the first time I ever played on a stage I played Snuffy’s banjo at the 1967 Gilbert Peach Festival because he handed it to me and pushed me out there”.
Johnny has been heard for nearly thirty years at a variety of venues throughout the southeast. He has radio, TV, and Festival appearances as credits. His work with Mac Wiseman, Southern Expedition, The Sand Mountain Boys, Southern Tradition, Area Code 803, The Dalton Gang, Bill Wells and The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass is well known.
Johnny has been with the group for about 5 years now. He brought with him his expertise in backup phrasing, powerful drive and song arranging skill. He is a multi-instrumentalist, but banjo is his main weapon.
Lewis Rogers – (Mandolin, vocals)
A talented musician Lewis plays Mandolin with the group. Lewis also plays banjo, guitar, bass, and fiddle. He and his wife Marla live in the big town of Monetta, SC. He started and heads up the “4th Saturday Bluegrass Show”. We are happy to help promote & support the “4th Saturday Bluegrass Show” held at the historic Haynes Auditorium in Leesville, SC. The doors open at 6:30pm and the show beginning at 7pm.
Bob Dockery – (Bass Fiddle)
Bob is a very talented musician and has been playing Bass guitar for quite some time. He has played with the likes of the great Loretta Lynn, Stonewall Jackson, and the Charlie Spivack Orchestra.
Richard Hollis – (Dobro)
Richard Hollis has twice held the title of South Carolina State Dobro Champion. He is a very talented musician and a real Josh Graves clone.
Richard has played with the Jones Brothers for a number of years before joining with Darlene & Reflections of Bluegrass. He is from Chester, South Carolina.
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