SFB Biographies

Lee Sargent, 16, is entering his senior year as a home-schooler.  He plays lead and rhythm guitar as well as handling most of the lead singing.  Playing on stage with George Winn and His Bluegrass Partners has strengthened his determination in becoming a lead vocalist.  His vocal influences include Charlie Waller, Lost and Found, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, and Ralph Stanley II.  His favorite instrumentalist is Tony Furtado.  Lee's love for music is leading him toward becoming a professional Bluegrass Performer with an interest in law enforcement coming in as a close second.

Joshua Sargent, 14, also home-schooled, plays mandolin and takes his turn at singing lead.  He credits Vernon Hughes for first putting a mandolin in his hands at the age of 5.  He received his first mandolin at 6 1/2 year old.  Making use of all the bluegrass recordings in the house, he taught himself to play.  He continues to explore other genres of music, molding his style as uniquely Joshua.  He has played numerous guest appearances with Michelle Nixon and Drive.  To date, his single most [off-stage] highlight, was trading licks with mandolin aficianado, Sam Bush.  He is currently enjoying his
exploration with the guitar and upright bass.  His future plans include music, photography and computer technology.

Robbie Sargent has been playing bass for the band for the past 2 1/2 years.  After serving as driver and equipment manager for some time, he was encouraged by his family to take up the bass.  Having to jump right in with no time to study, he has effectively learned on the fly.  Other than learning from
recordings, he has picked up a few tricks from friends and fellow bass players, Bob Kidd and Bill
Perkins.  When not working on the bass, Robbie is working on cars - for now, anyway.  His goals are to help his children reach their professional goals . . . Wherever that takes them.

Danielle Sargent is a home-schooled 12 year old and the banjo player/vocalist for the band.  She began seriously studying the banjo just before her 10th birthday.  Early on she won the Virginia Folk Music Association 2004 Junior Entertainer Award and has since played with her family's band at fairs, Bluegrass festivals, concerts and private parties throughout Virginia and North Carolina.  Just recently, she had the privilege and honor of being asked to join the legendary Eddie Adcock, and his wife, Martha on stage to play HIS banjo in a concert held at the In Your Ear Studios in Richmond, VA.  Each performance brings her dreams more into focus.  Her career goal is to be a session musician
after attending East Tennessee State University for their Bluegrass Music program.

Melinda Sargent shares with her family a life-long love of music.  Introduced to Bluegrass by her
father at a very young age, her musical interest gravitated toward country music.  While holding fast to her passion, her school years lead her to learn woodwind and brass instruments.  After school, 
marriage and family became her focal point.  Returning to festivals in the 90's with kids in tow, the Bluegrass flame was rekindled.  Once Joshua began playing the mandolin, it was time to finally learn the instrument that was tugging at her heart-strings.  From her first introduction to Rob Ickes, she knew she had to learn to play the resonator guitar.  At it for 5 years now, her love for the instrument grows with each new song.  While she enjoys the style of various reso players, her strongest influence comes from her mentor and friend, Pete Smith.  While focusing on the family band, she hopes to introduce as many young people as possible to the joys of playing music.