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About

About

Whatever you do, don't call The Kody Norris Show 'retro'.

Because while the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year are known for the rhinestones that shine from their lapels and the fringe that hangs from their collars seem to conjure up memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show are very much directing their gaze forever forward.

Now, more than ever before.

The talented group, made up of frontman Kody Norris, Josiah Tyree, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, and Charlie Lowman, finds themselves with a growing legion of fans craving the comfort that comes from their retro look, but equally craving dynamic instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics – all of which can be heard throughout their epic new album Rhinestone Revival.

“There is a whole chapter of country music that's just kind of faded away,” The Kody Norris Show’s frontman once said. “I believe The Kody Norris Show has been instrumental in bringing back some of that nostalgia and some of that classic look that country music and bluegrass music used to have.”

The foundations of the electrifying four-piece band can be found within the roots of Kody Norris himself, a once inquisitive youngster from Mountain City, Tennessee who would spend hours sitting in the passenger seat of his Uncle Jack’s Chevrolet El Camino listening to the entirety of The Stanley Brothers 16 Greatest Hits tape, wondering if he would ever be able to match the sweet harmonies coming through the speakers.

It was those very harmonies that Norris also would recognize wavering through the rafters of the Baptist church he attended as a kid. There was a bluegrass quartet that would play in the Free Will Baptist Church, and soon Norris became infatuated with the music that could materialize from a banjo and a guitar. So, at nine years old, he picked up the mandolin.

And he never put it down.

It was a similar love affair of music for Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, who started playing classical violin in the fourth grade, but by the fifth grade, she knew it wasn’t for her. Instead, in a quest to differentiate herself from her musical counterparts in her grade school orchestra, she took up the fiddle. She began playing the festival circuit alongside the likes of the legendary Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers and soon became one of the most dynamic females on those festival stages.

It was on that stage she eventually met her husband Kody, who had already gone on to play alongside the likes of Ralph Stanley, Ralph Stanley II, and Joe Isaacs throughout his already impressive career. In 2017, banjo extraordinaire Josiah Tyree signed on with The Kody Norris Show, and soon his old-time clawhammer style fit right into the bluegrass style that the band was becoming known for across the country. And when bass player Charlie Lowman joined in on the fun, armed with a giddiness and love for the music that he plays that soon became infectious, The Kody Norris Show as we now know it was complete.

It was musical magic at its finest.

It’s this easy-going nature that became downright illuminated on 2017’s When I Get the Money Made, which was named Bluegrass Album of the Year by the National Traditional Country Music Association. The Kody Norris Show followed it up with 2019’s All Suited Up, which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts. Now playing over 100 dates a year across the country and around the world, The Kody Norris Show have been part of the University of Chicago Folk Festival and are part of two weekly programs on the acclaimed RFD-TV's network, The Cumberland Highlanders Show and The Bluegrass Trail.

But with the release of Rhinestone Revival comes a feeling that listeners have just begun to witness The Kody Norris Show’s very own revival, as the band finds themselves sprinkling their iconic rhinestones on a few different music genres to solidify their place on the musical landscape.

And the fans can’t get enough.

In fact, it’s those fans that have raised The Kody Norris Show to a place in which they stand today, a place where the four-piece, multi-instrumentalist, bluegrass band are quickly becoming four of the most epic entertainers of our time. Add that to the songwriting displayed on the Kody Norris-penned “Baltimore I’m Leaving,” “Fiddler’s Rock,” “Please Tell Me Why,” and the infectious “Gotta Get My Baby Back” on Rhinestone Revival, and there is no doubt that The Kody Norris Show is as current as ever.

They ain’t retro. They have something different. They have something uniquely theirs. They have something that makes them stand out.

“We want people to know who we are,” Norris once said.

And they will.


The Band

Kody Norris

Kody Norris

"Fearless Leader" - Guitar & Vocals

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Kody Norris

Kody Norris

"Fearless Leader" - Guitar & Vocals

Growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee, and sharing a birthday with the great Earl Scruggs meant that destiny was written in the stars for Kody Norris, who founded his band, The Kody Norris Show, more than a decade ago.

Kody learned early the strong musical legacy of Johnson County, Tennessee, home to musicians including Clint Howard, Fred Price and Clarence "Tom" Ashley; the first group to tour with Doc Watson during the folk revival of the 1960s. The first recording of "House of the Rising Sun" was created in Johnson County by Tom Ashley in the 1930s. Tom Dooley (of the oft-recorded folk murder ballad) was captured there by another resident of the county, Col. James Grayson.

Although he did not grow up in a musical family, Kody recalls a couple of great-uncles who owned instruments, including his Uncle Jack, who would tolerate the young Kody dragging a banjo around the house and "making a racket." Kody has fond memories of riding around in Uncle Jack's Chevy El Camino with the music of the Stanley Brothers playing on the 8-track.

"I purchased that car from him in my teens," Kody says, "and my Dad and I restored it." Norris still owns Uncle Jack's El Camino.

Kody's musical journey began in earnest when he was around ten years of age when his parents purchased a used mandolin from friends at church. The young Kody was immediately bitten by the bluegrass bug. Today, the multi-instrumentalist is adept at guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass.

"My dad would take me to numerous festivals where I saw all my bluegrass heroes," Kody says. He treasures the memories of experiencing Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Martin, Jim and Jesse, and others whose music continues to inspire his own original songs. Blending echoes of the past from numerous genres with newer styles and arrangements has become the hallmark of Kody's music.

Like most writers, Kody draws from the well of his own life experiences. He weaves his love for words and literature with clever wit and genuine emotion. While still in high school, he endured the passing of his beloved grandfather, and divorce of his parents. Keeping everything inside, he turned to writing to work through the pain and upheaval.

From the age of 15, Kody pursued his interest in the music business; working as a sideman and studio musician, teaching music lessons, and serving as festival or event emcee. Being able to play multiple instruments, coupled with his abilities as a parts singer opened the door to many opportunities including playing with artists including Ralph Stanley, Ralph Stanley II, Melvin Goins, and The Cumberland Highlanders.

During his teens and between other gigs, Kody was part of a duo project with his friend, Tom Isaacs. The duo performed old time songs and mountain music in the tradition of the Stanley Brothers. Eventually, the act grew into a full band. As Kody Norris, Tom Isaacs and The Watauga Mountain Boys, the group toured in a big, blue Cadillac Deville with a bass tied on the top and luggage packed inside with 5 musicians. They hit the road, taking as many gigs as they could find, staying in cheap motels and learning the business as many young acts do.

A chance meeting with Campbell Mercer, executive producer of the Cumberland Highlander's Show on the RFDTV network, led to several appearances on that show, and ultimately a 9-year stint playing guitar on the show.

Eventually, Tom Isaacs chose a different path and the band became Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys. Unable to recreate the chemistry he'd had with his good friend, Kody began to consider a new direction, including performing his own original music with a bit more story-telling and humor, and The Kody Norris Show was born.
Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris

Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris

"Sweetie" - Fiddle Player

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Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris

Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris

"Sweetie" - Fiddle Player

Hailing from Bowling Green, KY, Mary Rachel Nalley is a seasoned musician and performer. Although fiddle is her primary instrument, Mary Rachel is known as a skilled multi-instrumentalist. She has played mandolin for The Kody Norris Show in previous years, and now fills the fulltime role as fiddler ... and "sweetie," since Kody's onstage proposal.

Mary Rachel started playing fiddle at local jams in her hometown of Bowling Green, KY. Recognizing their daughter's serious interest in a bluegrass music career, parents Jimmy and Phyllis started a weekly bluegrass jam which allowed Mary Rachel to develop relationships with local, regional and nationally-touring artists.

In 2011, Nalley began touring with the Eastern Kentucky-based, all-girl band, Hazel Holler. It was a major launching pad for her career. Mary stayed several years with Hazel Holler and then stepped into the fiddle position with Kings Highway, a traditional bluegrass group based in the western coalfield region of Kentucky.

In the Spring of 2014, Nalley not only graduated from Bowling Green High School, but also joined the legendary Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers. She held that post until joining The Kody Norris Show in late 2014.

Mary Rachel manages a successful musical instruction program in East Tennessee, where she now resides. In addition to managing one of the busiest touring bands on the acoustic music scene, Mary Rachel and Kody are now newly-weds!
Josiah Tyree

Josiah Tyree

"Country-Boy Cassanova" - Banjo

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Josiah Tyree

Josiah Tyree

"Country-Boy Cassanova" - Banjo

Carthage, TN native Josiah Tyree, contributes the high lonesome tenor to the band, along with his skillful banjo playing.

Josiah credits his dad and assistant pastor for introducing him to old-time, bluegrass and gospel singing. With roots firmly planted in his love for old-time music, Josiah quickly picked up traditional 3 finger style banjo picking. In 2013, he won his first clawhammer banjo contest at Hillbilly Days in LaFayette, TN. With a little healthy competition in his veins, he entered and won every contest around including; Uncle Dave Macon Days, Smithville Jamboree, Bluegrass on the Harpeth and Wilson County Fair.

Through his participation in competitions, Josiah picked up a few old-time dance techniques as well. He's been known to throw a few high steps into performances of The Kody Norris Show. More than a few fans have been delighted to find themselves on the recieving end of an invitation to dance when Josiah takes the stage.
Charlie Lowman

Charlie Lowman

"Cousin Charlie" - Bass Player

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Charlie Lowman

Charlie Lowman

"Cousin Charlie" - Bass Player

Cousin Charlie Lowman makes his professional bluegrass music debut as the bass player for The Kody Norris Show.

Charlie discovered an innate passion for music at the ripe age of 12 years old and quickly showed an aptitude for a variety of instruments. After a family trip to the Mountains of East Tenn. Charlie knew that's what he wanted to do! So, he did! Starting with banjo, then quickly moving to the guitar, bass, mandolin and even fiddle; Charlies versatility quickly landed him many fill in stints with several notable bands such as; Tommy Brown and County Line Grass, Johnny Campbell and the Drifters, the Mark Hembree Band, Basement Bluegrass Band and even more recently starting his own band Charlie Lowman and Emory Gap.

Growing up in Evanston, Illinois Charlie's love for bluegrass music would grow more and more every Saturday night as you could find him sitting in the front row of the Chicago Bluegrass Legends Concert Series at the American Legion Hall In Evanston. It was there that Charlie met just about anybody and everybody in the music industry!

Charlie keeps the Kody Norris Show in time and always in a smile! His contagious personality is radiant not only on the stage but off as well. Charlie now resides in Mountain City, TN.

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