Johnny Tarver: Guitar, Lead and Tenor vocals

Johnny started seriously playing the guitar at the age of 8 years old accompanying his dad on the banjo. Sometime in the mid 70's he heard his first Tony Rice album and the rest is history. There was a short period during his teens that he experimented with the electric guitar playing rock-n-roll. Married to his high school sweetheart and in his early 20's he decided to get back into Bluegrass seriously playing with his dad's band County Line until the late 90's when he and his family moved to Wylie Tx. It was then that he was introduced to Cecil Patterson and the start of what would later become the Blue River Band. When not playing music, Johnny enjoy's fishing, hunting, playing golf and many activities with his family. Johnny has been married to his Wife Susan since 1987 and they have two children Matt and Lauren.

Cecil Patterson: Banjo, Lead and Baritone vocals

At the age of 12, Cecil learned to play rhythm guitar to back his fathers fiddle playing. Soon after, Cecil borrowed his uncle's banjo. From that point on he was hooked on the banjo. Cecil has played with several area bands including Second Time Around and The Vinings. Influences on the banjo include J.D. Crowe and Terry Baucom. Cecil enjoys playing a hard driving style that really compliments Blue Rivers high energy sound. Cecil is married to the love of his life, Stephanie, and has two children Emilie and Tyler.

Gary Penny: Mandolin, Lead vocals

Gary was born in the Cass county piney woods of northeast Texas. When Gary was just 13, he walked 5 miles to see a bluegrass festival. Gary has always had an interest in bluegrass music, but also enjoys country and rock-n-roll. Some of the bands Gary has played in include the south Texas country band Loco and the bluegrass band Mill Creek. Early in his musical experience Gary played drums in country and rock bands. Gary was first drawn to the mandolin after hearing Doyle Lawson on the first Bluegrass Band album. Gary brings a tremendous mandolin chop to Blue River and is a driving force of the bands vocal sound.

Jeff Smith: Bass, Bass vocals

The newest member of Blue River, Jeff recently made the jump to the bass after playing the resophonic guitar (the instrument formerly known as dobro) for more years than he cares to admit. Hailing from the Washington DC area, Jeff was strongly influenced by bands such as the Seldom Scene and Country Gentlemen. After a career in the U.S. Navy, Jeff returned to the promised land of bluegrass as a founding member of the Connecticut band Out On A Ledge. Moving to Texas in early 2007 ("I got here as quick I could!"), he found a brief home with Cottonwood Creek before joining Blue River in August.

Michael Morrison: Guitar

Michael is an outstanding guitar picker as part of the next generation in bluegrass. Keep your eyes on him because you will being seeing and hearing a lot more from this guitar player!