Mountain Tradition
Festival-ready bluegrass: classic sound, modern energy.
Mountain Tradition is a band of pickers and singers dedicated to the heart of bluegrass. We honor the roots of the music while never being afraid to push its boundaries. From local stages to festival platforms, our goal is simple: to share a sound as timeless as the mountains themselves—vibrant, forward-moving, and grounded in a deep sense of heritage and community.
Ronald Beavers
Lead vocals & Guitar
Ronald Beavers is a seasoned bluegrass and gospel musician whose career spans decades of dedication to traditional mountain music. Hailing from McDowell County, West Virginia, Ronald discovered his passion for music early, picking up the guitar and teaching himself to sing at just 12 years old.
During his teenage years, Ronald founded Ronald Beavers and the Midnight Ramblers, a regional band that quickly earned recognition on the bluegrass circuit. The group toured extensively throughout the Southeast, earning the distinction of opening shows for legendary acts including Jimmy Martin, Dave Evans, and the Johnson Mountain Boys. The band's reputation grew to the point where they received a prestigious invitation from bluegrass icon Bill Monroe to perform at his annual Bluegrass Fan Fest—a testament to their talent and musicianship.
Mike Keen
Guitar & Vocals
Mike Keen is a West Virginia native from McDowell County whose passion for acoustic music runs deep. He picked up his first guitar at age 14 and has spent the years since honing his craft across the festival stages of West Virginia and Southern Virginia. A skilled guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Mike brings versatility and depth to every performance.
Growing up in the heart of Appalachia's musical tradition, Mike absorbed the influence of bluegrass greats Tony Rice and Larry Sparks—master musicians known for their exceptional picking and soulful interpretations. Those influences shaped his playing style and continue to guide his approach to the classics and new material alike.
Early in his musical journey, Mike gained invaluable experience touring with Ronald Beavers and the Midnight Ramblers, learning the ropes of the road at a young age. The band earned a reputation as a formidable opening act for some of bluegrass music's biggest names, including Seldom Scene, Summer Wages, Jimmy Martin, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. This was no small achievement, and performing night after night alongside these legendary acts provided Mike with an intensive education in musicianship, stage presence, and the bluegrass tradition. He also toured extensively with his family's bluegrass gospel group, the Rose of Sharon, blending his growing technical skills with the deep spiritual roots of gospel music.
From local festival performances to regional touring alongside established acts, Mike has built a reputation for his authentic, heartfelt approach to acoustic music. His dedication to the craft reflects his roots in a region steeped in musical heritage, and he brings that authenticity to every performance.
Brad Hiatt
Bass & Vocals
Brad Hiatt is a musician from Ararat, Virginia, who comes from a long line of talented family musicians deeply rooted in the musical traditions and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bluegrass has always been his favorite genre, and his lifelong love of music has shaped an appreciation for a wide range of styles and sounds.
A bass player, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, Brad draws inspiration from the musicians within his own family as well as some of bluegrass music’s most influential artists, including Flatt & Scruggs and The Country Gentlemen. Growing up surrounded by music gave him a deep appreciation not only for its sound, but also for the history, stories, and culture behind it.
Brad’s musical journey began as a small child, playing and singing alongside family members and learning by listening, watching, and making music with those around him. Those early experiences helped develop both his musicianship and his love for bluegrass, laying the foundation for the musician he would become.
Over the years, Brad has had the opportunity to play with several respected names in bluegrass, including The James King Band, Corey Zink, Mickey Galyean & Cullen’s Bridge, and Rich in Tradition. Brad brings authenticity and a genuine respect for the music’s roots to every performance. Whether playing an instrument or singing, he strives to connect with listeners while staying true to the music, people, and culture that shaped him. Above all, Brad hopes to continue sharing the music he loves while carrying forward a musical heritage that has been passed down through his family for generations.
Van Gallman
Banjo & Vocals
Van Gallman grew up in Surry County, NC—one of the greatest bluegrass counties in the country. His first live show was seeing Seldom Scene in Elkin, NC in the early 80s.
That experience lit a fire in him to learn banjo. Van was fortunate to have a father, Charlie Gallman, who played bluegrass. Charlie’s band allowed Van to play alongside him in his early years of learning.
By the late 80s, Van was playing with Dixie Creek Revival. DCR cut their first album, "Something Old Something New," at Doobie Shea Studios in Ferrum, VA in 1994, where Van fell in love with engineering and recording.
In 1995, Charlie and Van opened Old House Recording Studio, which is still going strong today in Mount Airy, NC. Van is a multi-instrument musician, playing banjo, dobro, bass, and drums—all of which come in handy running a recording studio.
From talking banjo and picking with the likes of Gene Parker, Jim Mills, Sonny Osborne, and Joe Mullins, Van has met, talked, and picked with some of the best.
He has shared and crossed the stage with Lonesome River Band, The Tony Rice Unit, New Grass Revival, The Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Jimmy Martin, Ralph Stanley, The Boxcars, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, JD Crowe, and many more.
Van has played stints with Dixie Creek Revival, Fairplay, Riverview, Copper Canyon, RGB, and now with Mountain Tradition.
Bobby Wood
Mandolin & Vocals
Mocksville, North Carolina
Bobby Wood has been playing bluegrass music for more than 40 years, with both mandolin and bass playing important roles throughout his musical journey. His love for traditional bluegrass is deeply rooted in family, heritage, and a lifetime of making music.
For 20 years, Bobby had the privilege of playing alongside his father, A.L. Wood, performing on both mandolin and bass. Those years of making music together helped shape Bobby’s musicianship and strengthened his connection to the bluegrass traditions he carries with him today.
Bobby has also performed with Dixie Creek Revival and spent the last 14 years playing bass with his family band, Wood Family Tradition. Today, he brings that experience to Mountain Tradition, where he continues to share his passion for bluegrass and the music that has been such an important part of his life.
Away from music, Bobby is a proud husband, father of three, and grandfather of two. Family has always been at the heart of Bobby’s life, making his journey through bluegrass even more meaningful.
For Bobby, bluegrass is more than music—it’s family, heritage, and a tradition worth carrying forward.