Bluegrass empty nesters David and Valerie Mayfield keep busy playing, while kids become national stars



It wasn’t too long ago the Mayfield family band One Way Rider was traversing the country, playing bluegrass and old-time music before the genres became hip thanks to bands like the Avett Brothers and the Old Crow Medicine Show.

Now empty nesters, bluegrass musicians David and Valerie Mayfield are pursuing their own musical careers, while critically-acclaimed kids, Jessica Lea and David, are becoming national acts. The younger David leads the David Mayfield Parade. Jessica Lea is an up-and-coming solo artist.

“We’re on Facebook and Youtube constantly, just watching what they’re doing on the road,” said the elder David Mayfield, calling from his Newton Falls home. “We’re just very proud as can be of them. We have posters of them all over the house.”

Even though the Mayfield Family band is no longer touring, David and Valerie remain busy. There’s even talk of making an album with their son, David. The problem is he’s on the road so much they don’t know when that will happen.

As for the couple’s style, it’s steeped in old school bluegrass and classic country and newgrass, has been compared to the likes of Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Tony Rice, The Dillards, Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, and many more, but most importantly is that they have their own sound, and it is fantastic! Tight harmonies and hold on for some fast picking too!

“It’s that kind of deal,” Mayfield said. “We just do songs that we like, including a couple of funny songs that I wrote. It’s just a lot of harmony and fast picking, even though we’ll slow it down and do some slow love songs.”

Among the group’s humorous tunes are “Stomp on My Heart,” “100 Years Ago” and “Seven Drunken Nights.” There are also traditional bluegrass songs such as the upbeat “Old Home in Virginia” and the mellow “Guess’ River.”

by John Benson correspondent Cleveland,com