Influences: Bill Monroe, Dave Brubeck, Elvis, Alison Krauss, Glenn Tolbert, Herb Trottman, Dan Tyminski, Gene King, The Darlings.

Where you'll hear them: SMA plays private, church, and corporate functions, as well as a few superstar festivals around the Southeast.

Personnel: Gary Furr, guitar, resophonic guitar, vocals; Don Wendorf, mandolin, old-time banjo, hammered dulcimer, vocals; Nancy Womble, upright bass, vocals; Paul Wendorf, mandolin, fiddle and viola; Greg Womble, five-string banjo, guitar, vocals.

Claim to Fame: The band was kicked out of Todd Snyder's trailer at Beam's Crawfish Boil (in Birmingham) a couple of years ago before going on stage to play. "It was about 100 in the shade and the hum of that air conditioner was too much to resist," says Don.

Not quitting the day jobs: Don Wendorf is a counseling psychologist. Paul speaks fluent Spanish and serves as a police officer in Hoover, AL. Nancy Womble is known as Nancy McLemore (www.nancytalks.com ) to advertising agencies and recording studios across the country--she voices commercials for a living. Greg runs WOMCOM, a company specializing in developing and producing media such as corporate video and documentary films. Gary is pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church .

In the beginning: The band began in the fall of 1998 when Gary, Greg,
and Nancy discovered their mutual love of music and performing. They started getting together at the Womble's to play, did a couple of Sunday School socials, and no one discouraged them "though they had their chances, " says Gary. "Our first performance with Don was a banquet at UAB in 1999 that was booked at the last minute. We practiced with him for about 15 minutes, then went on stage and did the show. Having survived that, we decided to keep going. Paul came on board not long after that and the five of us have been together ever since."

Gigs, glorious gigs: Shades Mountain Air has done over 100 shows in the last five years, including Beam's Crawfish Boil, a pastor's conference in Kentucky, the Rusty Nail Bluegrass Festival, a performing arts series in Blakely, Ga., the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association Showcase, numerous corporate events, and a wedding engagement event.

Oddest gig: "That wedding engagement, for sure," says Greg. "Back in late December we were asked to sit in one of those gazebos on top of Shades Mountain in Vestavia and play music for a romantic marriage proposal. It was about eight at night and about 25 degrees with the wind chill factor. I think Gary's hands froze in a G chord. We were all cold but the couple was very, very happy and enjoyed the music. She said yes."

What's in a name: The name kind of evolved from the members' common geography. All either live on Shades Mountain or in Shades Valley (two topographical features that define the Birmingham area's southern communities). Plus, the name suggests that the musicians are basically suburban folk, although all have rural roots. That hybrid is reflected in their sound: straight ahead bluegrass blended with several influences, including vocals that sound like a cross between early 60's folk and old-time gospel.

Favorite song: "There is a Time" by the Dillards (also known by Andy Griffin fans as the "Darling Family"). It always makes them cry.

Most requested: Probably a toss between "Soul's Desire," a prayerful gospel tune, and "Money in the Mail," a funny, upbeat song about an indebted man who awaits an inheritance from a distant uncle. Another crowd-pleaser is "Lost On the Information Highway" a Gary original about a bluegrass guy in the computer age.

It's a fact: Paul has played with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and backup jobs for such stars as Smoky Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Ray Charles. Don's professional music past includes a stint with trumpeter Phil Driscoll. And when Greg lived in Los Angeles he had a callback audition with the New Christie Minstrels and was Kathy Lee Gifford's gardener.

Recordings: SMA's two CDs, Sky's A Clearing: Music from the Gospels and Shades Mountain Air, are available online.

And you're different because: Don's hammered dulcimer playing is one
of SMA's distinctive features. The sound of the instrument is a pleasant mix of Appalachia and old country Europe and is always a hit with the kids in the audience. Having had lots of practice time in the last few years Don and son Paul have a large repertoire of duets, with Paul on either fiddle or mandolin.

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