Member's Biographies
Russell | Steve | Donnie | Justen | Wayne | Edgar
As a founding member of IIIRD TYME OUT, Russell has seen
the group expand, and evolve, from where it started to where
it has risen today. Originally from Pasadena, Texas (true
home state of the ‘Whataburger’!!), he now lives
near the foothills of the north Georgia mountains in Cumming.
Russell, born December 21, 1963, began playing music around
the age of eleven after being inspired by bluegrass greats
‘The Osborne Brothers’, and joined a regional
band at the age of fifteen, playing concerts and festivals
in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Around 1982, he moved to
Arlington, Texas, and helped form the bluegrass band ‘Southern
Connection’. After almost two years of living in Arlington,
the ‘band’ moved east and settled in Asheville,
North Carolina. In 1985, Russell went to work for the bluegrass
band Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. After six years, and
seven recordings, with Quicksilver, Russell left to help form
IIIRD TYME OUT in 1991. Russell has been awarded several ‘Male
Vocalist’ awards to date, two of the most prestigious
being the coveted ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’
by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). He
lives in Cumming, GA. with his wife, Carol (married November
16, 1985) and two sons, Taylor (born Dec. 29, 1990) and Spencer
(born April 12, 1994). When he’s not touring, Russell
spends his time working in the offices of Chateau Music Group
(which he co-owns), maintaining their tour bus, and spending
as much time as possible with his family.
Steve Dilling was born August 5, 1965, at Ramey Air Force
Base, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, while his father was stationed
there. About a month later, the family returned home to North
Carolina, fertile grounds to bluegrass banjo players. Steve
fell in love with the banjo at the age of 10, after hearing
a recording of Earl Scruggs playing the Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
He finally got his first banjo on his 12th birthday, and he
hasn’t been quite the same since. After a few years
of playing, he became friends with two other musicians in
North Carolina by the name of Greg Luck and Wayne Benson,
and the three jammed around together for several years at
local festivals and bluegrass shows. In March of 1985, Steve
joined regional favorites, The Bass Mountain Boys, and stayed
there until a job with The Lonesome River Band opened in 1992.
Then, in July of 1993, Steve, also known as ‘Big Man’,
brought his banjo playing skills and emcee talents to IIIrd
Tyme Out, being regarded as one of the best in the business.
His musical influences are varied, and include well known
artists Flatt & Scruggs, J. D. Crowe, Terry Baucom and
Tony Rice. When off of the road, steve enjoys spending time
at home with his family and watching sports. Steve and his
wife, Macie, were married on December 14, 1985, and have two
children, Stephanie (born Jan. 16, 1991) and Matt (born Sept.
16, 1995).
Donnie Carver was born on August 16, 1961 in Portsmouth,
Ohio to
Donald and Jeanne Carver. He has always been surrounded by
music on his father's side of the family. He has three sisters,
two of
which played music in bands, as Donnie did, growing up. Graduating
in 1979, he began working for GTE as an installer/repairman
while still playing in the family band, as well as other groups
in the area. His grandfather, father, uncles, sisters and
cousins would get together on Saturday nights and pick at
his grandparents home in Kentucky. After a number of other
jobs, none of which presented the future that he had hoped
for, Donnie started thinking of music as more of a vocation
than a hobby. He married his wife, Karen, in 1992 while he
was layed off from a coal dock on the Ohio river. It was around
this time that he took a job playing mandolin with a band
that also provided 'sound' for concerts and festivals. This
band had work year-round and made it possible for him to make
a living doing something that he loved to do. In 1996, IIIrd
Tyme Out asked him if he'd be interested in taking a job as
their full-time, audio technician and he jumped at the chance
to work for a band of such top-notch quality. From then on,
he has never looked back at the forty hour work week, except
to remember what it was like and to thank God for the blessing
of having a job that means so much to him. In 1998, Donnie
and Karen had a son named Kurtis and, in 2003, a daughter
named Jewel. Donnie thanks God everyday for his friends and
family and says that prayer is the only way to be prepared
for anything. 'It works!!'
Justen Haynes was born on August 27, 1982 in Fredericksburg,
VA. Justen grew up in a house where his mother and father
toured with the gospel bluegrass band Sonrise. At age 4, he
began to follow in their footsteps by developing a passion
for bluegrass music and learned how to play all the instruments.
He received the opportunity to start his first tour gig at
age 9 playing the bass with Sonrise. He played the bass on
stage but on the bus, enjoyed playing the banjo and fiddle.
Throughout high school, Justen gained experience while participating
in the Virginia State Orchestra. He graduated and attended
Shenandoah Musical Conservatory. Justen studied to be a performance
major, and sat first chair. During college, he started playing
and singing for Michelle Nixon and Drive. He got a real perspective
of life on the road, responsibilities of a band member, and
what it takes to pursue a passion in bluegrass. During his
time with Michelle, he also recorded for many successful bands
completing some free lance studio work. He played with Michelle
for three years before God opened up the window of opportunity
to play with IIIrd Tyme Out. Justen and Melanie just got married
in January 2005, and they are also expecting a child at the
end of the year. Justen recalls growing up and listening to
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Lonesome River Band and
IIIrd Tyme Out. He considers it a blessing to now be a part
of the 3TO family! Justen enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing
with his two pit bulls - Bullock and Lady.
Wayne Benson is one of bluegrass music’s leading mandolinists and has established himself as a unique and gifted stylist. From Concord, NC, an area rich in bluegrass heritage, Benson first arrived on the scene as a teenager when Scott Vestal invited him to join Livewire. After three years and one album on Rounder Records, Wayne joined the well-known and critically acclaimed Third Tyme Out in December of 1992. After more than a decade with the Atlanta-based band, Wayne had solidified his niche among the most respected bluegrass mandolin players, being featured on the cover of Bluegrass Now, Mandolin Quarterly, and Bluegrass Unlimited, while also enjoying numerous IBMA awards and the SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the Year award, five consecutive years.
In 2004, Wayne joined the John Cowan Band, spending three years with the group and recording two albums, showcasing his instrumental prowess in the progressive genre, most widely called, New Grass. After a three-year stint with Cowan, Wayne reclaimed his long-time home with Third Tyme Out in May of 2007.
In 2003, Wayne released his first solo project, An Instrumental Anthology. With 12 original compositions, Wayne explores styles ranging from straight-ahead bluegrass to more progressive melodies. Joining Wayne are some of the industry’s most awarded and finest musicians, including Jeff Autry, John Cowan, Aubrey Haynie, Rob Ickes, Mark Schatz, Ron Stewart, Jim Van Cleve, Scott Vestal, and others.
Also in 2003, Gibson joined forces with Benson to create the Wayne Benson Signature mandolin. Based on the F-5 scroll body design, the new model has a combination of distinctive cosmetic traits taken from Benson’s specifications. As part of Gibson’s Artist Signature Series, a total of 50 Benson mandolins will be available.
Wayne has an established relationship with Acutab Publications, releasing an instructional DVD in 2004 with over 2 hours of material, featuring facets of Wayne’s distinctive style and songs from his solo project. In addition to the DVD, Acutab offers an extensive tab book that includes Benson’s solos from the popular instrumental series on Pinecastle Records.
After living in Nashville for 16 years, Benson recently returned to the Carolinas, where he lives with his wife, Kristin, and son, Hogan. In addition to being a full-time member of Third Tyme Out, he regularly records and freelances with many top, industry musicians.
Edgar has music running through his blood. A relative of the famous Louvin Brothers,
Edgar started playing guitar and mandolin in his family's band at the age of 9. It did
not take long before he was getting offers from several folks to work for them. Edgar
has played in bands such as Carolina Crossfire, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and most
recently, Marty Raybon & Full Circle. In July 2007, Edgar became the bass player for
IIIrd Tyme Out. He and his wife, Sonya, had their first child November 30, 2006. They
reside in Eastanollee, GA.