North Carolina can once again be credited for producing great bluegrass. Hailing from just east of Charlotte, Deeper Shade of Blue is comprised of Troy Pope (guitar/vocals), Scott Burgess (bass/vocals), Chad Day (banjo), and Milom Williams II (mandolin/vocals). The band has been together for 21 years and self-produced six albums. A quick search on YouTube will no doubt prove why this band has been a favorite in their region for so long. With their tight harmony singing, dynamic instrumentation and energetic stage show, they’ve been lauded as one of the best touring groups in the industry and one that festivals have added to their lineup year after year.
THE BAND:
Troy Pope brings to the band his powerful lead vocals. Having been raised in his Father's church, he acquired a deep background in gospel music that adds to the unique arrangements of the bands material. He has sang with his family his whole life and with other groups as well. Troy's big smile and personality, along with his well known vocals have helped make A Deeper Shade of Blue what it is today.
Milom Williams II of Spartanburg, SC, started playing music at age eight, and by 14, joined his first bluegrass band. He has performed with some of the best in the genre. From 2009-2012, he served as mandolinist for Kevin Richardson and Cuttin' Edge. The following year, he became a member of the Skip Cherryholmes Quintet. Williams then toured with Nu-Blu in 2015. Two years later, he joined The King James Boys featuring his talents on both the guitar and mandolin. In 2019, Williams became a member of Spartanburg’s Backline
Scott Burgess grew up with bluegrass music. Both of his parents played bluegrass and his earliest memories include going to church with them as they played various churches and small venues around home. His first regular group was a family band with his two brothers and their mother called Right Track. They performed from 1996 until 2005. After a short break from music, Kevin Richardson asked him to help him form KRACE which enjoyed regional success from 2009-2015. A Deeper Shade of Blue reached out to Scott in April 2015, and Scott says he was excited to join such an incredibly talented group of musicians. In each band, he had sung lead, tenor and played bass. He enjoys writing songs, and is honored to have had several of his songs recorded and played on various stations including Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction. "Bluegrass is the purest form of acoustic music. I appreciate the opportunity to play music with great friends."
Day was born in West Jefferson, NC, where bluegrass is part of the common heritage. Destined to play banjo, Chad started picking at age 14. After relocating to Cleveland County, birthplace of Earl Scruggs, he began to perform and hone his talent and expertise. He has clearly been influenced by J.D. Crowe, but Chad has also developed his own style that incorporates explosive, hard-driving sound with tasteful and technical picking. A songwriter, too, his other interests include bass fishing and camping, while spending time with his daughters, Sarah and Mady, and his wife, Jenny.
