From the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia, Willow Branch has specialized in providing musical entertainment at weddings, civic gatherings, corporate functions, private events, and evangelical worship services since 1983.
Band members are: Gayle Noble - bass fiddle & vocals; Robert Noble - banjo & vocals; Doug McDonald - mandolin & vocals; and Frankie Ballowe - guitar & vocals.
When we have a request for a fiddle, we call on one of the best fiddle players in the business, our friend Ted Lawhorn, to get the job done.
Highlight performances by Willow Branch include appearances on stage at the Grand Ole Opry's Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN; on the CBS television network show 'Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt'; a live performance to an estimated 50 million viewers on the QVC television home shopping network; the Virginia Governor's Mansion in Richmond, VA; the Statler Brothers 'Happy Birthday USA' 4th of July celebration in Staunton, VA; and the distinguished honor of performing at the awards banquet for the medal winners of the 1996 U.S. Summer Olympic Team.
Willow Branch has received 33 awards from the renowned Virginia Folk Music Association including twice being bestowed the highly coveted award of 'Best Bluegrass Band' in 1990 and 1997, and have performed at many bluegrass festivals in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida.
Continually striving to bring to the stage clean, family-style entertainment, Willow Branch is sure to please any audience and enhance any venue.
Thank you for visiting our site. Our calendar is updated as personal appearances are confirmed so we invite you to come back often.
Comments for our guestbook may be left on the 'Contact' page of this site. Please feel free to drop us a note.
With kind regards,
Gayle, Robert, Doug, Frankie, Ted
~ Willow Branch ~
One of Hank Williams' most covered songs.
The classic bluegrass fiddle tune. A fan favorite!
A song of inspiration written and sung by Doug McDonald.