Introducing Savannah Vaughn.
Vaughn plays fiddle, sings and also emcees as a member of the Fall Creek Band.
Haven’t heard her yet?
Then head out to Bluegrass on Broad in Kingsport on May 9 as the Fall Creek Band opens this season’s every-Friday night live bluegrass series. The four-member band features veteran talent from renowned mandolin luthier and player Audey Ratliff, bassist Janice McCombs, and Ronald Vaughn on guitar.
Oh, and Vaughn’s daughter Savannah. Proud father’s bias aside, he said that his daughter has attracted serious attention from the likes of bluegrass stars Larry Cordle and legendary fiddler Bobby Hicks.
“She’s a hoot,” said Ronald Vaughn recently from his home in Blountville. “It’s hard to believe she’s 14.”
Come again…14?
“Well, she turns 15 on May 11,” Vaughn said.
OK, 14 or 15, no less of a wow greet the voice of Savannah Vaughn. She sings with talent that far exceeds her age – power, grace, tone – she has it. Performing and singing sure seems to come natural for her.
“As my mom would say, I’m like a pig in the mud when I sing,” Savannah Vaughn said. “I absolutely love it. I first sang in church, songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and “Keep on the Sunny Side.””
Vaughn reckons that she was about 3 when she first sang in church. But she didn’t stop there. Thanks to her father she was exposed to bluegrass throughout her early childhood.
“He would always have some kind of a bluegrass CD on,” she said. “I don’t know what it was, but I’d be dancing around and singing to them.”
Her father heard talent in her. She sang, he encouraged her, and then about two years ago he helped her make a step upward in her musical development. Enter bluegrass veteran Audey Ratliff.
“Audey and I went through high school together,” Ronald Vaughn said. “When Savannah started trying to get into some jam groups Audey took the initiative to work with her, and he saw a lot of talent.”
For about a year or so Ratliff helped sharpen Savannah Vaughn’s skills. They jammed on old bluegrass songs, new bluegrass songs, and many a song that weren’t bluegrass at all. Then Ronald Vaughn and Janice McCombs chimed in.
“We started to work up some songs and next thing you know we were playing shows,” Ronald Vaughn said.
The Fall Creek Band’s first show was in April 2007 at the Pickin’ Porch in Bristol. Since then, they’ve played a couple dozen shows – enough to fuel Savannah Vaughn’s hopes of a career in music.
“If life allows me to do that, then that’s what I want to do,” she said.
Partially with that in mind, her father said that the Fall Creek Band does not simply perform one bluegrass song atop another.
“We are eclectic,” Ronald Vaughn said. “Our opening song comes from (Southern rock band) Blackfoot, “Train Train.” That’s hardly bluegrass.”
Ditto the band’s takes on “City of New Orleans” and “Sea of Heartbreak.” However, they also feature such bluegrass bedrocks as “Jerusalem Ridge” and “Orange Blossom Special.”
Meanwhile, the band serves as something of a school of music for Savannah Vaughn. Each song sung, each song fiddled, each song performed on stage she learns a little more with an eye on the future.
“Five years from now I hope to be at ETSU in their bluegrass program,” she said. “It’s really exciting for me. I’m just enjoying the ride.”
Guess what? So is her dad.
“Savannah has a voice that will catch anybody’s attention,” Ronald Vaughn said.

F YOU GO

Who: Bluegrass on Broad series featuring The Fall Creek Band
When: May 9, 7 p.m.n Where: Broad Street, Kingsport
Tickets: Free
Info: (423) 392-8820
Web: www.thefallcreekband.com

FORTHCOMING ON BLUEGRASS ON BROAD 
May 9 – The Fall Creek Band
May 16 – Appalachian Strings
May 23 – Adam Larkey and Mountain Time
May 30 – Breaking Tradition
June 6 – Highway 11
June 13 – Midnight Ramblers
June 20 – Dry Valley Grass
June 27 – Papa Joe Smiddy and the Reedy Creek Band, Steep Canyon Rangers

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com