Bill and the Belles is a Johnson City, TN-based band known for combining a stringband format with their signature harmonies, candid songwriting, and pop sensibilities. Their delightfully deadpan new album, Happy Again, is full of life, humor, and tongue-in-cheek explorations of love and loss. Bill and the Belles is Kris Truelsen on guitar, fiddler Kalia Yeagle, banjo/banjo-uke player Aidan VanSuetendael, and bassist Andrew Small. The group has a knack for saying sad things with a bit of a smirk, and anyone who’s been to one of their shows can attest that you leave feeling lighter and refreshed. This is a band that revels in the in-between: deeply engaged with the stringband tradition and eager to stretch those influences to a contemporary setting. A timeless place where Jimmie Rodgers and Phil Spector can overlap, and a driving fiddle and banjo tune makes way for a sentimental parlor song. And while Bill and the Belles’ latest chapter offers a bigger, moodier, and more decade-ambiguous sound, they maintain their status as the most refreshing stringband around.

Staying true to tradition while maintaining a bold irreverence is something that rarely goes hand-in-hand. But Hogslop String Band manages to walk that line, with their roots in old-time string band music, and their energy based in wild rock-and-roll, you could almost call them punk purists.

It’s an unlikely combination, but given the talents of singer and fiddler Kevin Martin; guitarist, harmonica player and singer Gabriel Kelley; mandolin player and singer Will Harrison; banjo player and singer Daniel Binkley, and bassist and all-round entertainer Pickle, they pull it off with natural ease. The name alone hints at their wacky ways, but catching them live will give you a true sense of these bizarre, seemingly contradictory descriptions.

They thrive on crossing genres, casting off the confines of straight old-time and bluegrass, delving into a deep repertoire of rock, folk, psychedelic, and original numbers that can only be described as,”The Hogslop Sound.” It’s clear that these boys are going places, and they’ve quickly become one of the most unique and exhilarating outfits on the scene today. “It only gets weirder from here,” they often say from stage. They’re not kidding.

About Summer Sessions
The Summer Sessions concert series features bluegrass and Americana bands from throughout the region. All shows are free to the public and will be held outdoors at the pavilion in A.K. Bissell Park, 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge or at the Fort Southwest Point amphitheater in Kingston from 6:00-9:00 PM.

Bring your lawn chairs and your family and friends for a fun, music-filled evening! Local food and beverage trucks will also be on-site. We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Sessions concerts!

ORNL Federal Credit Union (FCU) is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative benefiting all who belong. Since 1948, our mission has been to help our members create healthy relationships with their money. By helping hundreds of thousands of members see success, we have become one of the largest credit unions in East Tennessee.

​Since 1948, ORNL FCU has been dedicated to making a difference in our community. Whether it’s giving back to educational programs, the arts, or wellness initiatives, we are passionate about creating a positive impact for the people of East Tennessee.