(courtesy of www.berniecoveney.com)

Although he was raised in the highlands of New  Jersey, it was the sounds of the southern hill country that drew Bernie  Coveney's earliest musical interest. Some might consider it happenstance  when he was asked to join Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters at the  age of 17 for an impromptu session. But if you don't believe in  coincidence, then you know he was being brought "into the circle" by one  of the matriarchs of country music.

The early 60's found Bernie and childhood friend  John Carlini, listening to WWVA (Wheeling, WVA) on the AM car radio in  John's driveway. Hooked by the likes of Earl Scruggs and the Stanley  Brothers, they seemed strangely out of place as rock and the British  invasion captured those around them. But the music of the mountains was  still at their core.

While visiting one of their favorite radio shows, The Campbell Hour, recorded in the back room of Campbell's Corner  general store in Oxford, PA., Alex and Ola Belle Campbell took a liking  to the boys. They invited Bernie and John backstage to meet Don Reno  (Dueling Banjos) and Red Smiley. Don and Red handed them their  instruments and said, "play us a tune boys." Once they were through  playing, Don Reno invited them to play on the air with them - that  night!

Vietnam was full-on as Bernie and John gigged  around the TriState area mixing bluegrass and folk to an ever widening  audience. But college sent them in different directions. Meeting again  in Virginia Beach (while John was attending the Navy School of Music,  Bernie joined the working band Group Nine. The bands rehearsal space was  downstairs from an unknown young singer, Emmylou Harris, who asked  Bernie to back her up. They headed for New York where they recorded  Emmylou's demo.

Life happens, and Bernie as a single dad  eventually found his way back to NJ teaching guitar. One of his more  notable students was Robert Duval for his role in Tender Mercies. He  also  worked on the movie King of the Gypsies, with Stephane Grappelli,  John Carlini, and David Grisman. Further widening his circle, he played  with Tex Logan, Peter Rowan, Jerry Jeff Walker, Danny Flowers, Butch  Robins, Bill Monroe, Mike Seeger, and Ralph Rinzler.

His life journey finally brought him to the  mountains of southwestern Virginia. Though not by design (it was his  wife's idea), the place he now calls home is not far from the Carter  Fold or the original family homestead of Alex and Ola Belle Campbell.

Bernie now lives in Floyd,VA where he is happier than ever and actively participating in the local music scene. Bernie's latest venture is the group BCR, along with fellow Floyd musicians Rob Neukirch and Chris Luster. Don't miss Bernie at the upcoming Bluegrass & BBQ Festival at Chantilly Farm in Floyd! Get your tickets at www.chantillyfestivalfarm.com!