Pickin’ Hard-Driving Bluegrass Rafe Waters Written by Jenny Starling Foss Photography Courtesy of Water’s Family

Rafe Waters Pickin’ Hard-Driving Bluegrass

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WATER’S FAMILY

There’s a word for the kind of Bluegrass local musician Rafe Waters is known for – hard-driving. As a member of Larry Gillis and the Hard-Driving Swampgrass Band for nearly seven years, Waters traveled across the U.S. and internationally as a string-plucking bass fiddle playing hard-core, hard-driving, straight-up, traditional bluegrass musician. For decades, the Larry Gillis Band was known far and wide for a sound that comes from the Deep South, and for performances that gave a nod to the legends of bluegrass music, with a style that was one of a kind.

Waters musical journey started at Smith State Prison in Glennville, Georgia, where he worked as Maintenance Engineer, when there was a need for two EMTs on the staff.

“The classes were free so I attended. I realized my passion for helping others during my first EMS call of clinical rotations,” said Waters. Who felt a personal calling based on his favorite scripture Isaiah 6:8: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me.”

Once licensed as an EMT, he left the Department of Corrections and began a career with the Tattnall County EMS. After several years, including training as a registered nurse and in organizational leadership, he began serving as EMS Director, and he then became Flight Paramedic with Air Evac Lifeteam 95 in Statesboro.

“Later I was promoted to Program Director of Air Evac Lifeteam 91 in Vidalia,” said Waters. “As program director I manage the daily activities and operations of an air base much like a typical EMS Director with additional responsibilities of creating relationships and serving customer needs throughout the assigned service area.”

While training as an EMT in Tattnall County, Waters chose to use the down time, when EMTs are waiting for a call, to learn to play the guitar.

“Early in my EMS career I decided not to waste my spare time watching television or playing video games,” he said. “I had always wanted to play the guitar and I became determined to learn. I learned to play the guitar a bit, but my ears always focused on bass lines and I had great admiration for upright bass players. I bought an upright bass and began to play along with CDs. „

I was surprised at how quickly I picked up the tunes. I seemed to hear what needed to be played instinctively.” He had four or five guitar lessons with his friend Bert Williamson of Ellabell, but he is primarily self-taught. Playing with the Larry Gillis Band, he was able to learn from the other players, who were constantly practicing, learning and experimenting with different musical selections.

Inspiration for Waters’ music comes from his early childhood growing up in Mendes, Georgia, population 122.

“I have early memories of listening to the Sunnyland Boys, a Southern Gospel quar

tet from the 1970s,” said Waters. “They blended Gospel quartette lyrics with a bluegrass sound that I found to be magical. Ralph Stanley and his brother, Carter, were always my favorite Bluegrass group. Their song writing and brotherly harmony was incomparable, and Country Music Hall of Fame worthy. The Stanley music finds its way into everything I play, even blues and rock.”

Waters is inspired by musicians outside the Bluegrass family as well.

“As a teenager, I was a huge fan of Bob Seeger, and I still love his music,” he said. “I have a great appreciation for his song writing talent.”

Since it all started with his working at a prison, it’s no surprise who his all-time favorite performer is.

“Johnny Cash,” he said. “I have a great admiration for his versatility, song writing ability, and appreciation for all types of music.”

Waters plays an Upton bass fiddle, and owns mostly Martin guitars. His style on the bass, which he played with the Larry Gillis Band, is pizzacatto, or plucking the strings with his fingers.

“That’s the predominate style of playing Bluegrass, Blues and Rock-a-Billy,” he said. “I can play slap bass, but I have never been a fan of the sound. I prefer to strum or flatpick the guitar according to the music I’m playing and clawhammer the banjo.”

Traveling with the Larry Gillis Band, Waters spent 200 days a year on the road.

“Performing can be thrilling, and there is a very gratifying feeling when the crowd appreciates your efforts,” said Waters. “When the band is tight, the music is perfect, and the audience is excited, there is an energy and a euphoria which becomes infectious and addictive.”

An addiction from which Waters had to slightly withdraw.

“I came off the road in 2012,” he said. “I just got tired of all the traveling. I played with Larry Gillis throughout „

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my professional career. I also had the opportunity to fill in or play with several other prominent Bluegrass bands.”

In 2020, he co-wrote a song with Alex Leach, a former member of the Larry Gillis Hard-Driving Bluegrass Band and of Ralph Stanley’s The Clinch Mountain Boys. The song was included on Michael Cleveland’s album “Tall Fiddler.” The album won a Grammy for Bluegrass Album of the Year. The song, “Mountain Heartache” by Leach, who now heads the Alex Leach Band, was also number one on the Bluegrass Charts for several weeks.

Waters will never be able to totally leave Bluegrass.

“It’s a special music genre,” he said. “It’s a music of the people. Bluegrass fans get to know the musicians. Festivals frequently find fans hosting lunches or suppers for bands where everyone gathers as a reunion of friends. Many of these fans are extremely talented musicians who choose to pick music with friends on the festival grounds near a campfire instead of on a stage. A tour around a Bluegrass festival will uncover many entertaining jam sessions full of talented fans.”

Currently, Waters isn’t visiting any festivals or picking bass at campfires with his many fans. Instead, he’s recovering at home from Covid-19, which he contracted in Florida while working, assessing nursing homes and assisted living facilities with the Florida Governor’s Task Force. But, you can still hear him play virtually and enjoy that hard-driving Swampgrass sound.

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“I have played on several albums with Larry Gillis,” said Waters. “My songs have been recorded by him and others. Some of my music can be found on Spotify and Apple. There are also several Youtube videos as well and multiple episodes of the television program, The Cumberland Highlanders.

“But, today, I play for my own pleasure,” Waters said. “I’ll play most any style of music now as long as its fun and it makes me happy.” S

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