Meet the Hard Drivin' Grass Band Members

Mason Thomas

Lead Vocals and Guitar

Mason Thomas is 16 and from Amherst Co. When he was 7 he started feeling the powerful pull of Bluegrass. At 8 he wanted to play guitar & began lessons with several excellent teachers. Around 11 he got with Joe Madison of Bluestar Music in Lovingston, Va. Joe really helped Mason not only with "strumming the ole 6 string", but showed him he could sing and how to sing with power & feeling. Later Mason took flatpicking lessons from Dobie Toms of Faith Recording in Bedford, Va.

Over Mason's years of picking & singing he has performed with some well known bands such as The Deercreek Boys, Nothing Fancy, and The Bluegrass Brothers. In June 2006 Mason placed 2nd in the Jr. division for vocals at the 2006 Maury River Fiddler's Convention. Then in September 2007 when the band won the V.F.M.A. 1st place Va. state championship, Mason took 1st place in the adult male vocals competition.

Mason has fooled with the banjo, mandolin, and the bass, but now plays his CF Martin D18 "Golden Era" flattop which he is very proud of. He has several idols in bluegrass but his favorite now would have to be Russell Moore of IIIrd Tyme Out.

Mason started "Hard Drivin' Grass" when he got up with Zack Mays at Cabin Fever in Hampton March 2006. Now in March 2008 HDG is a "Showcase Band" at Cabin Fever. His band members look to Mason as not just a Leader, but also as a Strong Performer and a Good Friend. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, & Hard Core "Pickin".

Samantha Mays

Upright Bass & Vocals

Samantha Mays is 17 years old and also from Amherst County, Va. Samantha started taking mandolin lessons at age 10. At age 12 she changed her music direction to concert band - playing flute & picolo, and now also enjoys playing in the high school marching band. But Samantha realized she also still has a passion for bluegrass music and began playing the upright bass.

Through her hard work and dedication she is now the latest addition to "Hard Drivin' Grass". Samantha plays a Englehart swingmaster bass and also sings harmony vocals.

In June 2007 when Hard Drivin' Grass took 5th place at the Maury River Fiddlers' Convention, Samantha took 3rd place in the individual adult Bass competition. And, In September 2007 when HDG took 1st place at the V.F.M.A. state championships in Chesterfield, Va. Samantha took 1st place in the individual adult bass fiddle competition.

In Samantha's spare time she enjoys playing softball and hanging out with her friends and family.

Zack Mays

Dobro and Vocals

Zack Mays is 17 and from Amherst County, Va. Zack started playing the dobro at age 9, under the direction of Dobie Toms of Faith Recording Studio in Bedford. Zack then traveled to Maryland to take lessons from Mike Auldridge formerly of the original "Seldom Scene" band. At age 9 and 10 Zack won 1st place in the junior division at the Vinton Bluegrass festivals.

Zack also enjoys playing the banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin. But he enjoys the dobro the most, at which he excels. He now plays a Beard Vintage resophonic guitar and sings harmony vocals. Zack met Mason Thomas in March 2006 at Cabin fever in Hampton, Va. These two would become the founding members of "Hard Drivin" Grass". Now in March 2008 HDG is a showcase band at Cabin Fever.

In June 2007 When Hard Drivin' Grass took 5th place at the Maury River Fiddlers Convention, Zack took 2nd place in the individual adult Dobro competiton. And in September 2007 when HDG took 1st place at the V.F.M.A. state championships in Chesterfield, Va. Zack again took 2nd in the individual adult dobro competition.

When Zack is not playing music he enjoys hunting, fishing, riding his dirt bike, and spending time with his family.

Dobie Toms

Banjo and Vocals

Dobie was born and raised in Bedford, Virginia. Dobie Toms has been playing music since the age of 11, when he helped buy a banjo for Christmas. Dobie's ability to be able to play music is a gift from God. With no formal instruction, he taught himself to play many different stringed instruments among them being the banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin and fiddle. One of his favorite instruments is his Gibson RB 250 banjo.

Dobie has traveled the East coast playing music. He has opened for such artists as Tony Rice, Hank Jr. & John Lee Hooker just to name a few. He did his first recording at the age of 16 and also released his 1st solo album out of Nashville in 1997. Dobie has strong vocals as well as dynamic showmanship and stage presence. He has the ability to draw the audience into the song.

In his spare time Dobie enjoys building instruments and spending time with his five, (soon to be six), children and his lovely wife Lisa.