Fiddle and Mandolin, Roy Mayes
Roy was introduced to music at the early age of 3 when his parents enrolled him in the Suzuki program, a method developed to teach young children orchestral stringed instruments. Roy's father, an avid bluegrass musician, made sure he didn't lack in his exposure to the likes of Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, The Country Gentlemen and the other great bluegrass and country artists of his era. At the age of 5 Roy played his first bluegrass festival and soon after was performing with his father's group on a regular basis. Like the Clark girls, Roy has literally grown up on the stage and feels more at home there than anywhere else. Through the years Roy became interested in many different instruments and learned to play several, although fiddle and mandolin remain his favorites. Roy has performed with the bluegrass groups: Lower Forty Grass, Idletymes, Sarah Conant and New Image, The Rarely Herd and is a founding member of the new bluegrass group "1950". With 35 years in the music industry, Roy brings a veteran's ear and attention to detail to the Ohio Valley Opry Staff Band. Roy currently resides in Southeastern Ohio with his wife Kelly and daughter Emma.