Embracing a crossover sound between progressive bluegrass and acoustic country, Monroeville has caught the attention of music lovers on both sides of the tracks.
Bursting onto the scene in the past year, the band is on the fast track to success. The energy, interplay and synchronicity they possess are characteristic of the most seasoned of bands, and their love for music comes across with perfect clarity, absorbing the audience into their experience and generating a genuine bond between listener and performer.
Their debut EP, “Monroeville”, was released on the newly-created Monroeville Records label on May 18th, 2011. Produced by GRAMMY nominated producer Jim Van Cleve, the project includes songs written by Skip Ewing, and Chris Stapleton, as well as songs written by Monroeville’s own Daniel Salyer. “Monroeville” also features a guest appearance by Skip Ewing and a duet with Cia Cherryholmes.
Although they are a young band, Monroeville’s members have reached significant career milestones – 4 of the young men are GRAMMY nominated artists, one is a prolific songwriter for several industry artists, and 4 have won National instrumental competitions.
In their first year, Monroeville has performed at a number of nationally recognized festivals and showcases such as an appearance at Grey Fox and IBMA, and on The Today Show.
Monroeville had the privilege of hosting the first Hard Rock Cafe AcoustiCana Series in Nashville, TN during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass, that was sponsored by Epiphone, the Gibson Bus, and The AcoustiCana Journal. They are also sponsored by D’Addario Strings.
Monroeville’s first music video was released at the Hard Rock AcoustiCana Series in Nashville on September 29, 2011. Shot by David Poag, director of Ronnie Dunn’s video, “Love Owes Me One”, the video is of the song “Pot of Gold” written by Chris Stapleton, and will be appearing on video channels soon.
Community involvement and service are at the heart of Monroeville. Their age and ability to relate and communicate with kids and young adults has allowed them give back to the community through workshops and youth events, sharing their skill and their love of music with a wider audience.
Monroeville are stars in the making. At the band’s core is a belief that good music knows no boundaries. They seamlessly flow through a range of musical styles and sounds, from bluegrass to country and pop, gaining the attention of a rapidly expanding fan base.
Daniel Salyer
Daniel Salyer is an experienced musician and singer born in Virginia and currently residing in Bluff City, Tennessee. He brings a strong stage presence to the band as well as his soaring high tenor. He is also a prolific songwriter having cuts with Junior Sisk, The Lonesome River Band, Mark Newton and many others. Daniel is the proud father of two boys, Logan and Peyton. He works as a Biomedical Engineer at the Bristol Regional Medical Center and has been happily married since 2005 to his wife Rachel.
Eli Johnston
Eli Johnston began his professional musical career with the popular touring bluegrass band, Nothin’ Fancy. Besides contributing the groundwork for the band with his upright bass playing, Eli honed his harmony singing and performance skills over his stint with them. Eli played for a period with Knoxville based, Pine Mountain Railroad, where he became acquainted with band mate and future Monroeville founding member, Matt Flake. It was during that period that Eli wrote and recorded the popular song, “Captian,” that topped the XM and Sirius charts. From 2006-2010, Eli was a regular performing artist at Pigeon Forge’s Tennessee Shindig theater show. Over these four years, Eli developed from a band bass player to featured lead singer in the show. These years allowed him to develop into a standout lead vocalist and performer.
Travis Houck
Travis Houck is a dobro player from the ranks of musicians graduated from the East Tennessee State University bluegrass program in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was born and raised in Chilhowie, Virginia and brings a strong bass vocal to the quartet numbers. He has played on stage with Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, and Porter Wagoner among many others. He has also traveled across the country representing the University in their top band called the ETSU Pride Band. He was a foundational member of Barry Scott & Second Wind where he recieved a GRAMMY® Nomination for his work on their debut project, “In God’s Time.” Travis also is the founder and owner of Blue Edge Knives.
Zane Petty
Zane Petty is one of the most talented young musicians in the genre today. At 17 he has been nominated for a GRAMMY®, toured across the country and internationally, been featured in numerous articles and magazines, played for production shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the list just keeps going. His banjo playing is as strong as those twice his age, and his repertoire continues to expand with his ever-growing knowledge of the music. He currently resides in Kodak, Tennessee and contributes his unique character and humor to the band.
Matthew Munsey
Matthew Munsey takes up the mandolin playing for the band. His musical career began at the early age of five touring with his family band. He graduated to a regional band at the age of 16 and quickly saw great success in the tourism entertainment business around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He is a talented producer and recording engineer with a GRAMMY® Nominated project under his belt for his previous band Barry Scott & Second Wind. Matthew applies his business and production experience to his publicity company, Blu Wav, as Production and Publicity Manager. http://blu-wav.com He brings a fun stage presence and tight lead and harmony vocals to the band and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Juliana who is expecting their first child.
Matt Flake
Matt Flake, or “Scooter,” as his friends know him, began playing the mandolin when he was only nine years old. About a year later, he started fiddle lessons with Jesse Haycraft. Matt has started various groups over the years but has been a fundamental part of the group Pine Mountain Railroad where he has spent the last six years of his professional career. He has won state champion competitions on three different instruments in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama. Currently, Matt plays a custom-made John Silakowski five-string fiddle. In March 2008, Matt married his Tennessee sweetheart, Betsy, and moved to Sevierville, Tennessee from his home place in Leitchfield, Kentucky.
Together, these young and talented men will bring energy, skill and entertainment to your event through their experience and showmanship. They are hard workers and driven to succeed in their profession.