The Hillbilly Gypsies are . . .
Anchored by founding members Trae and Jamie Lynn Buckner, the Hillbilly Gypsies have featured an eclectic range of virtuoso pickers over the years. Read more about our current lineup!
Trae and Jamie Lynn Buckner
Ryan Cramer
Levi Houston Sanders
Talented multi-instrumentalist Levi Houston Sanders comes to us from Daybrook, WV. He is also a historian who specializes in the British Empire, Africa and Napoleon. Levi has won many regional banjo competitions. He has repeated first place wins in the Maryland State Clawhammer Championships. He also took first place in the 2018 MD State three finger banjo contest. Levi also placed first in the 2016 West Virginia Open State Banjo Competition in Elkins, WV.
Levi's style blends musical influences from Don Reno, Earl Scruggs, and Ralph Stanley. You'll also notice his unique Vaudeville approach to his banjo playing. This combination makes Levi's playing stand out and adds to the Hillbilly Gypsies' authentic, old-timey sound!
Robbie Mann
When Robbie was six years old, his mother asked him if he wanted to study piano or violin. He said, “Violin, because you can’t carry around a piano.” He hasn’t put his fiddle down since. He has built his life around the instrument, holding Old-Time and Traditional Bluegrass nearest to his heart. Robbie is also fond of Classical, Jazz, Blues, and Rock’n’Roll.
Robbie has studied and played music for over 20 years. He got his start with classical violin at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. Robbie’s first love was old time fiddle, so he moved into the Berkeley County (WV) String Program. Next, he continued his studies through an apprenticeship under Master Fiddler Joe Hermann. Robbie completed his degree from Glenville State College in Glenville, WV. GSC has the distinction of being the world’s first school to offer a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bluegrass Music. Since completing his formal studies, Robbie has set out to wander the continent with his fiddle in hand.
