No Tools Loaned: Bio
Band Bio - Page Down for Individual Bios
From the bluegrass state of Kentucky, comes a fresh new approach to Bluegrass Music. Supported by a group of accomplished musicians and songwriters, ‘No Tools Loaned’ is a master piece when it comes to the acoustic music arena.
The bluegrass band ‘No Tools Loaned’ (A.K.A NTL) appeared on the music scene around the turn of the 21st century. Since that time, they have polished their craft into a masterpiece of team work and originality.
The band appears frequently at popular bluegrass/folk festivals in and around Kentucky and adjoining states. NTL has been performing since the year 2000, and is one of the area's premier bluegrass bands. Their unique mix of original songs, hot new bluegrass tunes, classic rock and folk ballads, and western swing numbers puts a fresh face on the traditional bluegrass sound.
A review in the May issue of Bluegrass Unlimited on ‘No Tools Loaned’ stated:
‘This Frankfort, Kentucky-based bluegrass band has a style that is uniquely ‘No Tools Loaned’. Combining classic bluegrass standards with some unique and intriguing original songs, “No Tools Loaned” has something for everyone to enjoy’.
So set back and enjoy the classic style of ‘No Tools Loaned’.
Jack Burch - Bass, Dobro - Lead and Baritone Vocal
Jack has been a member of the award winning No Tools Loaned (NTL) since its formation. Jack was born and raised in Frankfort, Kentucky and his hobbies include song writing, antique autos and steam engines. He began singing at the early age of three performing on WFKY, a local radio station in Frankfort. Later, he began playing guitar, mandolin, and bass and has recently added the dobro. Jack has appeared with the Dave Evans Band at many bluegrass festivals, The Kentucky State Fair and opened for Tom T. Hall with a group called The Changing Times. As a highlight, Jack has recorded at Sam Phillips recording company in Memphis, Tennessee and has recently recorded at Gene Breedings studio in Nashville, Tennessee. A seasoned professional, Jack has over 30 years of entertainment experience in genres including pop, rock, country, folk and bluegrass music.
Scotty Campbell - Banjo - Lead and Baritone Vocal
Scotty was introduced to music at an early age. His mother, who played the piano, greatly influenced his music by introducing him to the sounds of gospel and country music.
After spending countless hours learning to play the banjo, he has gone on to perform on stage as well as teach others to play. He now comes to the award winning band No Tools Loaned after developing his driving banjo style with the Kentucky Mountain Boys, Cottonwood and Brushfire bands.
To his credit, he has a three state touring history with his music being heard at places such as The Worlds Fair, The Governors Derby Breakfast, Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Festival of the Bluegrass, KFC Bluegrass Festival, Kentucky State Parks and many other festivals and expos.
Mike Sudduth - Mandolin - Tenor and Lead Vocal
Mike Sudduth
Home Town: Bald Knob, Kentucky
Instrument: Mandolin
Vocal: Tenor and Lead
Mike Sudduth grew up in a small rural community around the Frankfort, Kentucky area (The Hills of Bald Knob). When Mike was just 13 years old he bought his first guitar, and began playing with his uncle Haskell Parris and his brother Kelly Adams.
By age 14, he was already playing for square dances with Charles Farthing, a well known local musician. Also, Mike lists Red Williams and Speedy Brown as major influences on his playing. Next, he joined the country band ‘The Casuals’ and played with Winston May and other semiprofessional musicians.
Around 1977 the bluegrass band Cottonwood was formed consisting of Scotty Campbell (banjo), John Widener (bass), Frank Kemper (guitar) and Mike Sudduth (mandolin). Cottonwood had a three state touring history playing at places such as The Worlds Fair, The Governors Derby Breakfast, Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Festival of the Bluegrass, KFC Bluegrass Festival, Kentucky State Parks and many other festivals and expos. One of the group's highlights was performing at the 1987 World Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.
After Cottonwood disbanded in the early 1990s, Mike played with the Bluegrass band Brushfire from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky with Greg Breeding (a great local bluegrass musician).
Mike is family oriented with a wife, two daughters and one granddaughter.
Wesley Atha - Guitar Player and Lead Singer
Wesley has been a member of the award winning No Tools Loaned (NTL) since the bands formation in November of 2000. Wesley was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, but grew up in a small river town in the hills of northern Kentucky. He began playing guitar at the age of 14 and started singing with a gospel band soon after. He counts his chief musical influences as Richard Bennett, Doc Watson and Tony Rice. He supports the group by playing lead and rhythm guitar and supplying most of the lead vocals. Wesley is a guitar player, bassist and vocalist with over 20 years of experience singing and entertaining folks from church meetings, to opening for Tony Rice at The Kentucky Theater.