Rounders' biographies

The Reed Island Rounders have been playing together since 1993, when Betty & Billy formed a band to compete at local fiddlers’ conventions. They have been joined by various banjoists over the years, and now Diane Jones has added her banjo and vocal talents to the band. They have found a mutual love for the Old-Time music of West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and SW Virginia, where Betty & Billy make their home.

The band is known for their variety of music. From the foot-stomping dance tunes of the Blue Ridge to romantic waltzes, and beyond to dark and lonesome mountain tunes or a chilling ballad, they evoke the soul of Appalachian life. Equally at home in a dance hall or a concert stage, they will perform as a duo, trio, or add a stand-up bass for a dance.

The Rounders perform regionally and even internationally for concerts, square dances, contradances, festivals and workshops, and for private engagements. In 1996, ‘99 & 2003 they performed and taught workshops for the “Friends of Appalachian Old Time Music and Dance ” festival, in Gainsborough, England, as well as a tour of concerts and pub gigs across Ireland. In 2004 the Rounders were honored to be included in the Chicago Folk Festival, and Shepherd College’s Appalachian Heritage Festival in West Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway Music Center often includes the Rounders in their lineup. The Rounders were proud to place fifth in the Traditional Band division in 2002 ’s Appalachian String Band Festival, ‘Clifftop ’, WV.

Betty and Diane both teach classes and workshops in old-time fiddle and banjo, respectively, and sometimes a joint workshop of how the two instruments play with each other. Both have taught at the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, WV. Billy also teaches beginning back-up guitar workshops.

The band has appeared on area radio programs, such as WPAQ Mount Airy, NC, and WBRF Galax, VA, as well as the internationally syndicated “WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour ”, via “World Radio ”. Other live broadcasts include “Back to the Blue Ridge ”, on WVTF Roanoke,VA., and Pittsburgh’s “Saturday Light Brigade ” on WYEP.

In 1996 they recorded "Wolves in the Wood", a compilation of 21 tunes on CD & cassette. Diane released "There Are No Rules!" (1997) Diane Jones & Hubie King, a critically acclaimed CD of old-time banjo tunes and songs. "Side by Side" (2000) is a twin fiddling recording of Betty with Kentucky master fiddler J.P. Fraley, playing gorgeous waltzes, 2-steps and some of JP's originals. The Rounders' "Goin' Back" (2002) features the current trio with Diane on banjo, adding her voice on the old ballads and songs, and offering a great blend of fiddle tunes and banjo/fiddle duets. Their newest recording, "Hand Me Downs", was released in the fall of 2006.

*Biographies* *of the* *Rounders...*		*Discography...* *Email Us!* *Request a promo packet*
	*Diane Jones Billy Cornette Betty Vornbrock*
	banjo guitar fiddle

The Reed Island Rounders have been playing together since 1993, when Betty & Billy formed a band to compete at local fiddlers’ conventions. They have been joined by various banjoists over the years, and now Diane Jones has added her banjo and vocal talents to the band. They have found a mutual love for the Old-Time music of West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and SW Virginia, where Betty & Billy make their home. The band is known for their variety of music. From the foot-stomping dance tunes of the Blue Ridge to romantic waltzes, and beyond to dark and lonesome mountain tunes or a chilling ballad, they evoke the soul of Appalachian life. Equally at home in a dance hall or a concert stage, they will perform as a duo, trio, or add a stand-up bass for a dance. The Rounders perform regionally and even internationally for concerts, square dances, contradances, festivals and workshops, and for private engagements. In 1996, ‘99 & 2003 they performed and taught workshops for the “Friends of Appalachian Old Time Music and Dance ” festival, in Gainsborough, England, as well as a tour of concerts and pub gigs across Ireland. In 2004 the Rounders were honored to be included in the Chicago Folk Festival, and Shepherd College’s Appalachian Heritage Festival in West Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway Music Center often includes the Rounders in their lineup. The Rounders were proud to place fifth in the Traditional Band division in 2002 ’s Appalachian String Band Festival, ‘Clifftop ’, WV. Betty and Diane both teach classes and workshops in old-time fiddle and banjo, respectively, and sometimes a joint workshop of how the two instruments play with each other. Both have taught at the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, WV. Billy also teaches beginning back-up guitar workshops. The band has appeared on area radio programs, such as WPAQ Mount Airy, NC, and WBRF Galax, VA, as well as the internationally syndicated “WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour ”, via “World Radio ”. Other live broadcasts include “Back to the Blue Ridge ”, on WVTF Roanoke,VA., and Pittsburgh’s “Saturday Light Brigade ” on WYEP. In 1996 they recorded "Wolves in the Wood", a compilation of 21 tunes on CD & cassette. Diane released "There Are No Rules!" (1997) Diane Jones & Hubie King, a critically acclaimed CD of old-time banjo tunes and songs. "Side by Side" (2000) is a twin fiddling recording of Betty with Kentucky master fiddler J.P. Fraley, playing gorgeous waltzes, 2-steps and some of JP's originals. The Rounders' "Goin' Back" (2002) features the current trio with Diane on banjo, adding her voice on the old ballads and songs, and offering a great blend of fiddle tunes and banjo/fiddle duets. Their newest recording, "Hand Me Downs", was released in the fall of 2006.
NEW CD!! "Hand me Downs" (2006) 'Old Time Appalachian String Band Music' ~ Reed Island Rounders; Burning Wolf - 004 “Goin' Back” (2002) Wonderful collection of OLD SONGS & TUNES from West Virginia! Reed Island Rounders, Burning Wolf - 003 NEW Banjo DVD "Thirty of Diane's Favorites, 2005" is an instructional DVD for intermediate banjo players, featuring 30 tunes, played at a moderate speed
*...the Rounders’ Bios...* *Betty Vornbrock* is an accomplished fiddler in several different traditional styles. Besides the music of the Appalachian Mountains (her first love), she has studied Shetland, Scottish & Irish fiddling, Western Swing and even Eastern European dance music. She has also recorded with Western Swing guitarist Bill Necessary, and singer-songwriters Tim Henderson and Bill Ramsel. Betty has co-produced a twin-fiddle album, “Side by Side”, with Kentucky fiddler J.P. Fraley, with whom she has won top twin-fiddle honors at Fiddler's Grove Festival for their haunting and beautiful harmonies. Betty teaches private fiddle lessons, as well as workshop formats during festivals and for the prestigious Augusta Heritage Workshops' "Old-Time" theme weeks. Spanning 1997-2000 she acted as co-teacher & facilitator for J.P. Fraley's "Dream Retreat", an intensive weekend workshop with J.P., held at his home in Kentucky twice a year, and in Georgia and PA. For the most part her Old-Time influences include West Virginia fiddlers Wilson Douglas, Melvin Wine, John Johnson, Sarah Singleton, Clark Kessinger and Burl and Edn Hammons; Kentucky fiddlers JP Fraley, Ed Haley, W.M. Stepp, and Snake Chapman; and, more locally to the Blue Ridge, Ralph Blizard, Tommy Jarrell, and Henry Reed. Originally from Iowa, Betty settled in W.Va. in the early '70's, and migrated to Austin, Texas by the '80's, where she held office with the Austin Friends of Traditional Music, helping to organize festivals and concerts. While in Austin she was a member of several bands: Swallow's Tale (O-T & Irish), the Hotfooters and Yellow Cat (O-T string bands), Companions (banjo-fiddle duet with Luke Faust), and Sillocks & Tatties (Shetland). Also while there she learned to call square dances and did so for four years at AFTM's regular dance. She returned to the mountains in 1987, and enjoys being part of the area’s vibrant musical heritage. Betty has had much good luck at contests, as well. Among the many honors are: First Place Prizes: Mount Airy Fiddler's Convention 1995, Carolina's Homecoming 1994, Ed Haley Memorial OT Fiddle Contest 1996, ’98 & 2000, WV State Folk Festival in Glenville 1990 & '96, Fiddler's Grove 1990 & 2004; Second Place prizes at Mount Airy, as well as having placed in the top ten at the famous Galax Fiddler's Convention on several occasions. The Rounders have also earned ribbons in the band divisions.
*Billy Cornette* has been a great fan of folk & traditional music most of his life. Born in Kentucky to a family of fiddlers and musicians, he was exposed to a variety of country musicians & early Bluegrass greats. While attending the university in the early '60's, his interest in folk music led him to the guitar. After moving to Virginia in 1989, he decided to connect back to some of these roots by teaching himself fiddle and renewing his interest in guitar. He & Betty met in 1990 at a local jam session, and he's concentrated on playing back-up guitar to her fiddling ever since. He & Betty married in 1995. They grow Christmas trees on their farm north of Hillsville, in Carroll County, Va., where Betty also runs her custom sewing business, "Autumn Wind". Billy assists Betty with her workshops, has been a staff musician at Augusta as guitar player, and often joined J.P. Fraley in performance. He also teaches old-time guitar workshops. When not tending his trees, he enjoys learning new tunes on the banjo, as well as experimenting with building tackhead and gourd banjos. The Rounders’ first recording, “Wolves in the Wood ”, featured Andy Buckman on banjo, who relocated in 1998. Diane Jones joined the Rounders a year or so later, and adds her ballads to the mix, along with her unique banjo sound. She and Betty have blended a mutual love of the early mountain fiddle and banjo sounds into haunting duets and lively dance tempos. The band’s CDs, “Goin’ Back ” & “Hand Me Downs ”, reflect the current textures of this vocal & instrumental blend.
*Diane Jones* started playing old-time music on the Appalachian Mountain dulcimer in 1980, after having played guitar for three years. After much visiting in the Southern Appalachians, she zeroed in on the old-time music being played in West Virginia. Diane had studied banjo and fiddle and continues to study with West Virginia masters Dwight Diller, Dave Bing, Melvin Wine, Gerry Milnes, and had also learned from the late Sarah Singleton and Glen Smith. Diane has performed at several New Jersey festivals, including the New Jersey Folk Festival. She was a featured performer at the world premier of Judith Shatin's "Coal", which was also shown on West Virginia Public Television, and was a featured performer as the Appalachian Heritage Festival in Shepherd College in 1999. Diane is one of the women featured in Geoff and Susan Eacker's multi-media exhibit, "Banjo Women". She can hold down a one-woman show with her banjo, dulcimer, vocals, and unpredictable banter. At several southern old-time music contests Diane has been a participant, contestant, and judge. Among her honors are first place winner on the senior banjo contest at the West Virginia Folk Festival (Glenville) in 1993, and second place winner in 1995, 2001, & ‘02. Placing first in old-time banjo at the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention and second place folk singer in 1996, she was also the banjo player in the first-place old-time string band in 1998. Diane took 2nd place honors in the Senior Banjo division at Clifftop, and in 2004 & ’05 she was awarded the special “Heritage Tune” championship at the Fiddler’s Grove Festival. Diane loves teaching best, and has been involved with this in several venues. She taught Beginning/Intermediate Old-Time Banjo at Augusta in 1996, '97 & 2003, and as a staff musician in 2000. She assisted at Dwight Diller's Banjo Camp in the summers or falls of 1998 through 2005. Diane taught Beginning Old-Time Banjo at the John C. Campbell Folk School in 2000-2003. She enjoys working with her several continuing private students. Her new DVD “Thirty of Diane ’s Favorites” is a popular companion tool for her students, and those wanting to learn new tunes. When not playing banjo or dulcimer, Diane works on her family dairy farm on Maryland's Eastern Shore, breeds Labrador Retrievers, and works with her Percheron horses.