Them Girls
Della May
Stephanie May Rose
Stephanie May Rose, AKA Della May, founder of the 15 year dream AKA Coaltown Dixie. Stephanie has been playing the upright bass professionally going on 30 years, if you count all those times getting paid in pinto beans, cheese burgers, and gas cards. Her love of performing began at the young age of 3, born to a family well known in the region for country, bluegrass, gospel and popular music. Surprisingly bluegrass music and the bass would not blossom until her 21st birthday. After playing with her brother, dad and some of the other local masters for several years, Stephanie dreamed of having her own all female bluegrass band. Stephanie searched for that camaraderie that all the guys shared She is beyond blessed and thankful to have met and been playing with Kris, Melanie, Kalyn, Lindsey, Ivy, Natalie, Sarah Kate, as well as bringing up her daughter, Isabelle in music, and her husband being our loving Colonel and bodyguard, absolutely no relation to Colonel Parker. Having Isabelle Rose featured as a Woodsongs Kid along with Kalyn Bradford and Ivy Philips on the same episode with Coaltown Dixie and Doyle Lawson was definitely a highlight.
Teaching and bringing Appalachian culture and music to the next generation is of great importance to Stephanie. She was honored to be named one of the first East Kentucky Strong Trailblazers. EKS Trailblazers are strong women that set exemplary standards in their field to lead the next generation of Appalachian women to do the same, or to have the confidence to do anything they set out to do. Stephanie has served on the board of East Kentucky Strong and been a presenter each year, inviting her bandmates the past several years to get involved. Stephanie has also been involved with Mountain Grrl Experience since its inception. MGE is Appalachian women helping Appalachian women. Stephanie is serving in fundraising, workshops, and of course entertaining. Stephanie has worked for Hindman Settlement School’s Pick and Bow Program as a Bass and Guitar teacher for 2 years, enjoys writing songs, poetry, short stories, childrens books and is currently working on her novel and blog for bellerosedevelopments.com.
Mando Chick
Kris Bailey Preston
Kris Preston grew up in Johnson County in Eastern Kentucky, influenced by the many musicians who were from the nearby Country Music Highway, spinning their records on the turntables at WSIP radio as a 16 year old disc jockey. Later she would join the first wave of DJs behind the mic on WRFL’s “Blue Yodel #9,” at that time one of the only bluegrass shows on the air in Central Kentucky.
Deejaying led to emcee work at bluegrass festivals throughout Kentucky during her college years, but it would be some time before Kris would pick up an instrument and be introduced in a band of her own, as a founding member of Coaltown Dixie. Kris plays mandolin and guitar and a tiny bit of banjo and dobro. For the past few years, Kris has also enjoyed playing as a “side man” with the Waylon Nelson Band.
A gig as a Professor at Appalachian College of Pharmacy in Oakwood, Virginia is the day job that allows Kris to buy more strings and picks. One of the things she is most proud of accomplishing there thus far, is the establishment of a campus organization at ACP called Pro Me’ (pronounced ‘Pro-may’), where students share their time and artistic talents to bring healing and joy to others. This group visits nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals etc, providing performances in music and dance and hands-on assistance with arts and crafts.
In 2021, Kris helped found the first Mountain Grrl Experience, a charitable all-female music and arts event celebrating the artistry and creativity of Appalachian women.
In her spare time (what little there is!) Kris enjoys camping, hiking and fishing with her husband and sharing their home with Merle, Levon, Sturgill and Irene---Dogs and cats...not a band. Yet. :-)
Lil’ Earl
Melanie Turner
As a singer, songwriter, musician, and certified elementary teacher with over 27 years of experience, Melanie Turner extends her love for music to communities through hands-on workshops, residencies, and performances. Her sessions cater to individuals of all ages, creating an inclusive space where the joy of music becomes a shared experience.
Melanie takes pride in being an instructor for the Pick and Bow music program, contributing to the development of aspiring musicians.
Recognizing the importance of arts and education in rural communities, Melanie is a Partners for Rural Impact Appalachian Teaching Artist Fellow as well as a teaching artist for Arts for All Kentucky.
Click HERE to go to Melanie’s Page to learn more about her work as a Teaching Artist Fellow.
Click to view Melanie’s Dulcimer Construction Video.
Click to view more information about Melanie’s work as a Teaching Artist
Lindsey Branson
Lindsey Branson is a Viper, Kentucky Native. Music has always played a big role in her life. At sixteen, she started pickin’ her guitar and hasn’t stopped since. Lindsey is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hyden, Kentucky. She’s also a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she received a degree in Music Business.
Lindsey is the Director of Education at the Appalachian Arts Alliance in Hazard, KY. She also teaches guitar, mandolin, KinderMusik, and does community events with the Appalachian Arts Alliance She was recently featured on the In Harmony tour with the Louisville Orchestra. Lindsey loves playing music, especially with Coaltown Dixie, and spending time with her dog!
Honorary Dixie
Isabelle Rose
The Hillbilly Goddess
Isabelle performed with Coaltown Dixie during her youth, including shows at Dollywood and a featured performance as a WoodSongs Kid.
Sarah Kate Morgan
Sarah Kate Morgan started her musical journey at 7 years old when she was introduced to old-time music through a dulcimer that her grandfather built. From there, she has gone on to develop a uniquely intricate and virtuosic style inspired by the traditional Appalachian music she grew up with in rural East Tennessee.
At 18, Sarah placed 1st at the 2012 National Mountain Dulcimer Championships held in Winfield, KS. She recently graduated from Morehead State University in eastern Kentucky with degrees in Traditional Music, Appalachian Studies, and Arts Administration. Sarah Kate also performs as a regular member of the Michelle Canning Band , calls square dances, attempts to quilt and grow things in her garden garden, and works at the Hindman Settlement School in eastern Kentucky as the Traditional Arts Education Director.
The Peach
Kalyn Bradford Bowen
One of the original founding members of Coaltown Dixie, Kalyn and her family of four now reside near Atlanta, Georgia, where she performs in the roots music duo Rust and Rose and runs Thrifty Hippy Designs.
Honorary Dixie
Natalie Tomlinson
Natalie has performed with Coaltown Dixie at a number of Bluegrass Music Festivals. She is now a regular cast member with The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and still performs regularly with her band, Sunrise Ridge.
Honorary Dixie
Ivy Phillips
Ivy has performed with Coaltown Dixie at Dollywood, SPBGMA and a number of Bluegrass Music Festivals. She was featured playing fiddle on our 3rd CD “No Town Like Coaltown.” Ivy now tours with the likes of Pam Tillis and Jimmy Fortune, performing everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to StageCoach.