Press and Promotion

Like the nail in their namesake, Ten Penny Drive is building something. As expected of any contemporary bluegrass group, the drive is a must, but this isn’t sledgehammer bluegrass. With every song, this group aims at creating something solid yet fine—bluegrass with a sound instrumental foundation and a unique, creative polish in their vocal arrangements, songwriting, and covers selection.  The band consists of a group of Walters State Community College alumni and their former professor (guitarist and vocalist), Chip McLain, who led these particular players through various lineups of the college’s student bluegrass ensemble, the High Lonesome Senate, as they performed throughout the state and region. Fans of that program will remember fiddler and vocalist Laree McMurray of Church Hill, mandolinist and vocalist Ryan Henard of Rogersville, banjo and Dobro player Riley Denton of Jefferson City, and bassist Corey Kapnick of Morristown.  McLain comments on this special group of young people and their desire to continue music beyond graduation: “When COVID hit and the Senate’s 2020 lineup had to cancel shows and quarantine, it was clear that these pickers weren’t finished.  We talked then about continuing as a group, and we all agreed that we wanted to build something new from that past experience.  Considering both the talent and musical kinships that have developed over the last few years, I believe I’ve been just as excited to continue as the grads have been.”  The band has one album released, Upside Down, and is currently working on a new recording of mostly original materials by McLain, McMurray, and Henard. Upside Down will be available for purchase at the show, and the band can be contacted for bookings at TenPennyDrive.com