About

Charles McMillan

Charles’ journey into the world of music began during his high school years in the 1970s. With a passion for learning, he picked up the guitar and began teaching himself to play. This early interest led to the formation of a small bluegrass band called the Blue Ridge Mt Rambles in the mid-1980s, which included three of his cousins.

In 2012, Charles expanded his musical repertoire by learning to play the banjo. His enthusiasm for bluegrass music led him to form another band in 2014, initially named Hight Mt Country Bluegrass. The original members of this band were Elvin McMillan, Jim Hawks, Maudie Ramsey, and himself. As the band evolved, they eventually shortened their name to High Country Grass, continuing to share their love for bluegrass music with audiences.

Jimmy Gregory

Jimmy joined his first band as a teenager, initially playing guitar before switching to bass. He then became part of his second band, where he played rhythm and lead guitar, and contributed both background and lead vocals. This band enjoyed a successful run, lasting for 12 years.

Following this, Jimmy joined a bluegrass gospel group, playing rhythm and lead guitar, and providing vocals. This group also had a long tenure, performing together for 10 years.

Since 2017, Jimmy has been playing bass and contributing vocals with the band High Country Grass (HCG), continuing to share his musical talents and passion for music.

Jerry Utt

Jerry is a seasoned musician with a lifelong passion for diverse musical genres. Jerry has been a prominent lead singer and rhythm guitarist for High Country Grass. From his early days in high school to now, Jerry has crafted music across various styles including country, gospel, old-time rock ‘n’ roll, and bluegrass, showcasing his versatility and love for rich musical traditions.

Jerry’s musical journey extends beyond vocals and guitar; he honed his skills on trumpet and drums for seven years, adding depth and rhythm to his musical repertoire. With a deep-seated joy for creating music, Jerry continues to entertain others with High Country Grass.

Jack Holt

Jack began singing at eight years old. However, his true musicianship took root in 1998 when his wife and son gifted him a guitar for Christmas. From that pivotal moment, Jack immersed himself in music, playing at local churches and attending every jam session he could find.

A significant milestone in Jack’s life was marked by the passing of his father, who succumbed to Alzheimer’s. During this time, Jack picked up the banjo and taught himself to play. After his father’s death, he inherited his dad’s mandolin, which he cleaned and restrung. Inspired by Ricky Skaggs’ rendition of “The Little Mountain Church House,” Jack learned to play the song and performed it at church the next day. This experience led him to trade his electric guitar for a mandolin, marking the beginning of his journey with the instrument.

Over the years, Jack has accumulated a treasure trove of various old instruments, given to him by people he has met along the way. He has honed his craft with numerous bands, including Harvest Time Singers, Cranford Creek Band, Cross River, Piney River Band, Mountain Road Bluegrass, and The Sounds Of Bluegrass.

Jack’s musical career has allowed him to play alongside some of the greatest musicians, from his father, Haywood Sherman Holt, to renowned artists like Ronnie Bowman and Chris Stapleton. Currently, he is a local award-winning BMI songwriter and Nashville recording artist. Jack plays the guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and autoharp, and he also records his own music with his bands The Sandbox Boys, Mount Airy Cut-Ups, and Amity Drive.

Justin Jones

Justin has been the lead guitar player for High Country Grass since 2023. He hails from Austinville, VA, and has played and sung bluegrass, country, and gospel music for over 15 years. Justin grew up in a musical family listening to and playing guitar in weekend jams during get-togethers.

He has since taken lessons from great guitarists such as Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge, Jake Workman, and Josh Pickett. Recently, Justin has placed in guitar competitions near southwest Virginia.

Justin enjoys entertaining the crowds with bluesy guitar solos and high-tenor vocals. Just don’t ask him to speak and all will be okay!