Background:

Don Rogers is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays a variety of styles of music. He grew up in Clark County Kentucky just outside of Winchester but has lived on his farm in a remote part of Bath County since 2004. The Rogers family has a long tradition of making music. Originally coming from Estill County Kentucky, his grandfather, Charlie Rogers along with his three brothers including the well known regional fiddler Silas Rogers, played throughout central and east Kentucky during the first half of the 20th century. Though they had all passed away by the time Don came along, his father told many stories of their musical adventures throughout Don’s childhood, sparking his imagination and fueling his interest in music. 

After learning a few chords on the guitar as a kid, Don’s more serious interest in music came when he began playing bluegrass banjo at age 15. In his 20’s he picked the guitar back up and focused on playing Rock and Bluegrass, eventually starting his first band, Green Genes, with the Puckett brothers, Roddy and Todd.  In his 30’s Don began pursuing the mastery of other instruments and styles of music including old-time fiddle, mandolin, and traditional country guitar. He also developed a deep interest in the traditional fiddle music of Kentucky, learning many tunes from central and northeast Kentucky.

He has taught at Kentucky’s premier school for traditional mountain music, Cowan Creek Mountain Music school, nearly every year since 2007; has given private lessons; taught at Augusta Heritage Center’s Old Time week; taught at the Louisville Folk School; and for several years, he was part of a small group of people who coordinated the Morehead Old Time Festival.

Throughout the years, he has played with the following bands and performers: Green Genes, New Kentucky String Ticklers, Kentucky Wild Horse, Jeri Katherine Howell, Carla Gover, Honky Grass, The Eric Cummins Band, The Marble Creek Rangers, Darrin Hacquard, Allman Butter Band, Giant Rooster Sideshow, Lance Rogers, Arthur Hancock, Chris Shouse, Moonlight Mile, Geno Seal, James Reed, Cole Chaney and The Local Honeys as well as his own band, The Apostlbillies.

Songwriter:

Don has written and recorded many songs. His first songs were written for his band Green Genes, then he began writing songs for traditional band Kentucky Wildhorse. More recently he has made records including his original songs in his own name and with his band The Appostlebillies. His songs have been played and recorded by The Local Honeys and he has co-written with Nicholas Jamerson. Nicholas and Don’s co-written song Peace Mountain is the title track of Nicholas’s highly acclaimed record, as well as multiple instruments Don can be heard playing on the record.

Guitar:

Don plays many styles on acoustic and electric guitar including bluegrass, swing, rock, country, blues, and folk.  

Fiddle:

Don has mastered many of the traditional fiddle tunes of Central and Northeast Kentucky. In addition, he also performs fiddle accompaniment for singers like Lance Rogers, and others. He also plays fiddle in the eclectic band Marble Creek Rangers and the Local Honeys and on the records of fellow musicians Lance Rogers, Nicholas Jamerson and Magnolia Boulevard. 

Mandolin:

Don has played mandolin in many settings including bluegrass bands, rock bands, and accompaniment for singer songwriters. He is currently playing mandolin in Cole Chaney’s band. He can be heard playing mandolin on recordings by The Local Honeys, Nicholas Jamerson, Magnolia Boulevard and John Harrod.

Teacher:

Don has taught traditional fiddle, guitar and mandolin in both private lessons and at the week long traditional music camps, Cowan Creek Mountain Music School, Augusta Heritage Center, and through the Wise Village program in Stanton, KY. He has also taught song writing, all styles of guitar, fiddle and mandolin in group and private lessons.