Po’ Ramblin’ The

There’s a certain irony in seeing a massive 45’ Prevost touring bus laminated with the images of a band named the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and it’s leveled up in that one of the prominently featured “Boys” is a female. Once upon a time, that band name may have been a more accurate description, but it appears now that the moniker is more about nostalgia. Speaking of which, the product that claims the most real estate on the rolling billboard is Ole Smoky Distillery, the band’s primary sponsor and the reason the band exists in the first place. What started as a house band to entertain the tourists at their flagship facility in Gatlinburg has segued into four albums, an international touring schedule, multiple award nominations, and, not surprisingly, a few wins.

Their bus driver, Tommy Brown, also the father of the band’s banjo player, Jereme Brown, expertly navigated a 180-degree turnaround on a narrow side road and eased into an acceptable parking spot (the side of the road). He then picked up a guitar, filled in for thenailing guitar player Josh Rinkel, and also took the lead vocals on several tunes that night. Hands down, he earned the band’s MVP award for the evening (week? month?).

For the few unfamiliar with the Grammy-nominated IBMA New Artist of the Year-winning band, they are band leader C.J. Lewandowski (mandolin and vocals), Jereme Brown (banjo