BLACKWATER
What do a college student, a building contractor, a telephone service technician, and a police officer have in common? - A tight friendship strengthened by a mutual love for the lonely, grassroots sounds of their ancestors...and…oh yeah…they formed a bluegrass band.
Formed in early 2003, BLACKWATER is a group of dedicated musicians who play a combination of traditional and progressive bluegrass music in their own original, hard-driving style. They combine a little of the old with a little of the new, add their own twists, and crank out a bluegrass sound that is unique and all their own. BLACKWATER performs regionally in Virginia and surrounding areas at festivals and private bookings. The group released its debut CD, Last Kiss, in October of 2004. Their second recording project, Another Night, was released in mid-November 2006. BLACKWATER works hard to play a variety of solid bluegrass music that they hope everyone will enjoy.
THE MUSICIANS:
Born and raised in Franklin County, Virginia Tech sophmore, Zach Brown, holds down the mandolin duties for BLACKWATER. Zach usually contributes the tenor layer in their harmonies, but can also sing baritone and lead. Zach is an accomplished musician on many instruments, but is especially proficient on the mandolin. Zach displayed his varied abilities when he wrote and arranged the original instrumental number “Blackwater Run” on the Last Kiss CD. Zach's second published song writing effort, "Zacharina", can be heard on the Another Night release. When he is not studying hard at college, Zach resides with his family and pets in Wirtz, Virginia.
Originally from the rugged hills of West Virginia, Gene Lucado migrated to Franklin County and settled in the early 1980’s. Gene’s powerful driving banjo and his smooth baritone voice contributes greatly to BLACKWATER’s unique bluegrass sound. Gene trys his hand at lead, singing "Love of the Mountains" on the Another Night CD. Playing banjo for most of his life, Gene has had many musical influences and has combined his favorites into his own original style. Lucado works as a service specialist for a major telephone company and runs his own contracting business in Franklin County. He resides with his wife in Hardy, Virginia.
Another “born and bred” Franklin County native is Roger Prillaman, bass player for the group. Raised in a hugely musical family, Roger had no choice but to pick up on bluegrass music. From playing bass in his father’s band as a teenager, to a stint in the United States Marine Corp, to his current role as a service specialist for a major telephone company, Roger has also experienced many types and styles of music. His rock-solid acoustic bass skills are a cornerstone for BLACKWATER's driving sound. Roger also sings bass and baritone vocals in the group’s harmonies. Roger resides with his wife and three children in Wirtz, Virginia.
Originally a native of Church Hill, Tennessee, the pursuit of a law enforcement career as a Virginia Conservation Police Officer brought Ron Henry to Franklin County in 1987. Henry plays guitar and anchors the majority of the lead singing duties for the band. Not afraid to try something different, Ron convinced the band to do a cover of a 1960’s rock and roll song called “Last Kiss”. Subsequently, it became the title track for BLACKWATER's debut CD release, Last Kiss. Henry also showcases his songwriting debut on Another Night with the original "Call of the Whippoorwill". After more than 23 years in law enforcement, Ron still wears a badge and gun, and currently resides in Rustburg, Virginia, with his wife and daughter.
