about THis BAND THEY CALL rare bird alert
Tunes to make your ears smile real big.
Rare Bird Alert hails from the vibrant musical community of Charlottesville, VA. We are passionate about sharing our unique blend of traditional bluegrass, jam band tunes, and modern songs alike, creating a lively musical experience that resonates with audiences of all shapes and sizes.
As proud ambassadors of Charlottesville's music scene, we bring the spirit of our community to stages far and wide. The energy we receive from fans at live shows fuels our creative fire and inspires us to continuously push boundaries and evolve our sound.
We invite you to join us on this incredible journey. Explore our website to learn more about our band members, listen to our music, and check out our upcoming tour dates. Whether you're a die-hard bluegrass enthusiast, a fan of improvisation, or simply someone who appreciates great music — we can’t wait to pick for ya!
Sam Hanny
Sam is the guitarist and vocalist. His musical tastes span from Billy Strings to Red Garland. He works at Darden, helps grow small businesses, keeps Cville tidy, and enjoys downtime with his wife, son, and their big ‘ol lab Afton.
Julia Kwolyk
Julia is the fiddler and vocalist. She has a rich background in classical, Celtic, and jazz, and now bluegrass. She’s on the teaching staff at The Front Porch in Charlottesville. In her spare time, she’s a landscape painter and architect.
Logan Byrd
Logan is the upright bassist. In addition to various pursuits, he and his wife co-manage Frolic Coffee in Charlottesville, dedicating themselves to mastering the craft of small batch coffee roasting.
Greg Goodson
Greg is the mandolinist. He started guitar in high school and later developed a passion for bluegrass in college, influenced by his obsession for YMSB. In his spare time, he’s an Airbnb photographer, entrepreneur, and trail runner.
Want to book Rare Bird Alert at your venue?
You know we’re all about bringing the bluegrass to the people. And though we’re based in Virginia, we happily tour anywhere in the country. We’d love to discuss what you have in mind.