Balsam Range Biography

Five friends, all from Haywood County, NC, and each individually successful in the music industry, formed a band that plays a variety of Americana, Roots, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and hard driving Bluegrass. Balsam Range’s sound is influenced by the traditions of the Appalachian Mountains, and accented by the respective genres they all have had successes in. With inventive arrangements and pure vocals, this diverse, and well rounded veteran group of entertainers is known as Balsam Range.

Tim Surrett is the acoustic bassist, resophonic guitarist and vocalist for Balsam Range. Tim is also featured several times a year with Don Rigsby and Larry Cordle as a part of “America’s Bluegrass Band”, and occasionally performs with the Tony Rice Unit. Tim previously spent 10 years as a vocalist and instrumentalist with The Kingsmen, a gospel quartet, and 6 years with the Isaacs, in which time he was honored with 2004 and 2005 Favorite Gospel Musician at the National Quartet Convention. Tim has also been a featured soloist for the Gaither Gospel Series, and has performed several times with the above various artists at the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman and Carnegie Hall.

Grammy award winning, Marc Pruett, known for his “three finger roll”, has influenced several banjo players across the world. Most notably, Marc traveled for 3 and half years as banjoist with Ricky Skaggs. Marc played on 5 of Ricky Skaggs projects, and won a Grammy for playing on the famed “Bluegrass Rules” album. Marc has also been featured in the definitive banjo publication, Masters Of The Five String Banjo. Marc is a phenomenal musician, and an accomplished entertainer.

Buddy Melton is known for his smooth and equally as strong tenor voice, most notably on “Blue Mountain” on the group’s freshman CD. Buddy plays fiddle and acoustic bass for Balsam Range. At the beginning of his music career, he was a member of gospel bluegrass group Rock Springs Reunion which landed a song in the top ten gospel bluegrass charts. After leaving the group, he settled into a Nashville based band, Jubal Foster. Buddy has recorded and shared the stage with many artists such as Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent, Porter Wagner, Jon Randall and more. Recently, Buddy released his first solo bluegrass project which features Tony Rice, Adam Steffey, and bandmates Tim Surrett and Marc Pruett.

Darren Nicholson plays mandolin and is a vocalist in the band. Darren is a recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s – Album of the Year award, and has appeared countless times on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry and at the Ryman Auditorium. For three years he toured with Rounder Recording artist Alecia Nugent as a full time member. He has shared the stage was such greats as Merle Haggard, George Jones, Marty Stuart, Doyle Lawson, Jon Randall, Raymond Fairchild, Rhonda Vincent, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Sam Bush, and Vince Gill. He has toured with Audie Blaylock and Redline, Hazel Creek, and the Crowe Brothers, and has performed around the world.

Caleb Smith is known for his powerful vocals, and proficient acoustic guitar style. In 2002 Caleb was influential in starting the bluegrass gospel band Harvest. Caleb has performed at many different venues with artists such as Doyle Lawson, Larry Sparks, Paul Williams, and many more. In 2006 Caleb was the recipient of both male vocalist and guitar player of the year for the Power Grass Music Awards. A proficient song writer, Caleb has had 3 songs to make the Singing News gospel charts. The latest making it to #48. Caleb feels very blessed of God to have had such a great musical life this far and is looking forward to seeing lots of great things happen with Balsam Range.

With all of their above experiences and accomplishments, Balsam Range can deliver a powerful, musically masterful, and positive stage show that will captivate and entertain audiences of all genres.

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