WILDFIRE
- From East Tennessee.
- Formed in 2000 by the members of J.D. Crowe’s band The New South. They worked in both bands until 2001, when they left Crowe’s band for good.
- Original members: Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale, Darrell Webb, Barry Crabtree and Curt Chapman.
- 2001, released debut album Uncontained
(Pinecastle).
- They have recorded numerous soundtracks for the Home and Gardens television network.
- The have performed frequently at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. Hale and Webb also worked with Dolly Parton on her “Halos and Horns” project.
- 2002, released Where Roads Divide
album (Pinecastle).
- 2006, Leadbetter resigned to join The Whites. Webb left to form his own band.
- 2010, released Crash Course in the Blues
album (Lonesome Day). Lineup: Robert Hale (guitar), Steve Thomas (fiddle, mandolin), Johnny Lewis (banjo), Matt Despain (Dobro™), Curt Chapman (bass).
- 2016, released Rented Room on Broadway album (Pinecastle). Lineup: Robert Hale (guitar), Greg Luck (fiddle, guitar), Chris Davis (mandolin), Johnny Lewis (banjo), Curt Chapman (bass).
- 2022, released Quiet Country Town album (Pinecastle)
- 2024, released single If Something Should Happen (Pinecastle)
- 2024 lineup: Hale (guitar), Chapman (bass), Lewis (banjo), DeSpain (Dobro™), Scott Napier (mandolin).