Put on your dancing shoes and tune up your singing voice because the Heelsplitters are bound to entertain! With decades of collective musical experience, The Carolina Heelsplitters deliver a unique sound influenced by a rich tapestry of backgrounds ranging from bluegrass, old time, cajun, blues, and acoustic rock. They have been performing fun, engaging, live shows for over a decade, throughout the Triangle & Triad areas and are always a crowd favorite.
Band co-founder, Fiddling Chris Mankoff makes his home in the Bull City. He started playing classical violin at a young age, inspired by great North Carolina fiddler Tommy Jarrell, he began playing old-time fiddle in his 20’s. Chris seamlessly blends bluegrass, old-time, cajun, country & western and Irish fiddle styles. A singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Chris’s main bluegrass influences are Bill Monroe, Curly Ray Cline, Kenny Baker and Bobby Hicks, but his diverse musical influences run deep and are a source of endless surprises.
Harold Brady, a band co-founder and Triangle resident, hails from Moore County, playing bass in bluegrass bands throughout his time at NC State University in the 1990’s. Since then he has played in numerous bluegrass, indie rock, country, cajun/zydeco, and jazz projects throughout central North Carolina. Inspired by bluegrassers such as Mike Bub, Rob Wasserman, and Tom Gray he keeps the party moving. Harold’s passion for the rivers and streams throughout the state led to him proposing the band name, The Carolina Heelsplitters, a federally protected freshwater mussel that only occurs in a small area along the North and South Carolina stateline.
With over 30 years of experience as a performer and songwriter, Greensboro’s Greg Eldred has become a celebrated figure in the realms of Bluegrass, Americana, and country music. Drawing inspiration from the legendary sounds of Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, and Jerry Reed, Greg’s music resonates with authenticity and heartfelt storytelling. Throughout his career, Greg has showcased his versatility as an artist, captivating audiences with his skilled guitar playing and soulful vocals. His ability to traverse various musical genres has not only enriched his performances but has also positioned him as an established songwriter, with his works being recorded by national artists. This recognition highlights his talent and dedication to the craft, making him a sought-after collaborator in the music industry.
Banjoist Marshall Gray is a native of Lynchburg, Va and currently resides in Haw River, NC. Marshall was exposed to bluegrass and old time at an early age through local acts, seeing the Reno and Smiley show on TV each morning, and annual family visits to Galax Fiddlers convention. He attended East Tennessee State University where he fell into a hotbed of bluegrass, including taking the then one hour bluegrass band class (which has now become a full program). His primary banjo influences are Sammy Shelor and Ron Block. Marshall completed a military career but was able to squeeze in working with bands such as Atlanta based, Pilgrims; VA’s Deja Moo; and Triangle’s White Pine Hollow, and The String Machine.
Come out and enjoy an eclectic repertoire best described simply as, “Splittergrass”!
