The Rafe Hollister Band was born in the summer of 2005 in the mountains of Maggie Valley, N.C. After a year of rehearsing, recording and looking for additional musicians; the final line-up came together in late 2006. The members are Mark Moser- mandolin, Mike Dux- drums, Brooks Butler- guitar, backing vocals, Jeff Mendenhall- fiddle and Sam Brinkley- guitar/bass/harmonica/lead vocals. The music has been described as new grass rock or southern mountain rock. The new album is an eclectic mix of original songs; ranging from bluegrass, country, rock, folk and psychedelic influences. In the lyrics you'll hear tales of moonshiners, scarecrows, dogs, Nascar, gospels, poking things with a stick, cows, trucks, missing teeth, illiteracy, staring at stuff, possums, hoedowns, tractors, pig fights, hollerin', jig dancing, chicken spit, farms, hillbillies, city folk, family trees that don't branch, trailers, bigfoot, rocks, front butts, food stamps, uncle daddy, Skoal rings, dirt naps,bootleggers, Ford vs. Chevy, overalls, ignernts, fancy book learnin', hair loss, slackjaws, gibberish, inbreds, manual labor, parole, squirrels, forest brides, pocket knives, lard, feuds and various other subjects that make up life in rural Appalachia. Rafe is a band with a reputation for high energy performances and mighty fine original music.