Riley Gilbreath
A Young Heart & an Old Soul


About Riley
Riley Gilbreath is a Bluegrass and Country artist from Crowley, Texas. He started playing banjo in 2016 at the age of 12 with a loaner banjo he received from The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Play it Forward Program. After about 2 years, he began playing Flat Pick guitar and writing songs.
Riley is a laid back, kind hearted 17 year old who just cannot get enough JD Crowe and The New South, Lonesome River Band and The Johnson Mountain Boys. His unique brand of entertainment fuses traditional bluegrass and old country music, especially Keith Whitley.
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In 2019 at 15 years old, Riley won the Texas State Banjo Championship. He recently formed his band Riley Gilbreath & Lone Star Blue in the Spring of 2021 they have performed at the iconic Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, TX, The Bluegrass Heritage Festival and The Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival. Currently Riley is working on his first EP and recorded a Bluegrass single with his Band at The Cove Studios in Arlington.
Associations
Current Band Leader of Riley Gilbreath and Lone Star Blue
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Former Lead Guitar, Vocals and Banjo for Pocket Change Bluegrass Band
Former Banjo player and Vocalist for Cedar Junction Bluegrass Band
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Volunteer
Riley Plays a Handcrafted
Huber Banjo made in Nashville, TN by Steve Huber
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Alan Tompkins
Accomplishments
2019 Texas State Banjo Champion
2018, 2019 Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival Banjo Contest Winner
2019 Crowman Jam Open Mic Contest Winner
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92.9 Shooter FM Real Texas Morning Show with Crowman and Nash
2020, 2021 FFA Talent Show Winner
2019 PCG National Runner Up Instrumental Solo Competition
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2021 Nashville Lights Songwriter Competition Winner
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2021, 2022 95.9 The Ranch Pickin' Party Songwriter Competition Winner
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2022 92.1 Hank FM - Hank's Jam Winner
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2021 Ramblin' Roads Music Festival Youth Voice Talent Competition Winner
Multi-Music Scholarship Winner
Bluegrass Heritage Foundation Youth Showcase Artist
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Making the World a Better Place
The Bluegrass Standard Article
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