Chris Cairns was born playing the banjo. Almost. His interest in bluegrass and folk music was kindled at an early age when he began playing guitar and banjo in the 2nd grade. At age 10 he was performing for his schoolmates at special concerts alongside his teacher. At 11 years old, Chris performed on live TV in the Statue of Liberty Celebrations Closing Ceremony in Giant's Stadium. By age 14 Chris had started his first bluegrass band, The Yankee Bluegrass Boys, playing at McNulty's Ice Cream Shop for enthusiastic audiences. Chris continued to teach banjo lessons while persuing his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. After graduation, Chris moved to Santa Barbara, California and started his second bluegrass band, Wild Sage, in 1998. Wild Sage's popular success included taking 3rd place at the esteemed Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in 2000, performing on the mainstage of the Strawberry Music Festival in 2001 and numerous radio and concert apperances throughout California. Their first CD "Endless Detour" sold 1500 copies and their follow up CD's "Live at Strawberry," "Fresh Produce" and "Live at Painted Sky" sold 2000 copies.

In 2003, Chris founded the independent record label FireHeart Records. As a record producer, Chris helped produce, manufacture and distribute over 5000 albums by songwriters Kenny Edwards, Pete Goble, Ivan Rosenberg, Pat Milliken, Wild Sage and instrumentalist David West. Chris started The Chris Cairns Band in 2003 and recorded and produced his debut album "Runaway Train" to rave reviews in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Canada. In addition to fronting The Chris Cairns Band, Chris performs with The Porch Dogs and Whiskey Chimp. As a songwriter, banjo teacher and record producer, Chris makes his home in Ventura, California.

Bassist Tom Lee (The Cache Valley Drifters, Peter Feldmann and The Very Lonesome Boys) has played bluegrass, folk, modern and traditional jazz, blues, country, rockabilly, and "beatnik cowboy" music - for starters - since 1971. Tom's first professional bluegrass gig was as a street musician at Knott's Berry Farm in 1972. He was in the Bluegrass
Cardinals in 1976, and joined The Cache Valley Drifters in '79. In the
early nineties he performed in Oregon bands Sam Hill, New Cut Road, and Seafood Mama. Back in his Santa Barbara home in '93, he hooked up with Peter Feldmann and The Very Lonesome Boys and the traditional jazz band Ulysses Jasz. He can be found on numerous recordings including those of Kate Wolf, David West, and Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan.

Mandolinist Tom Corbett (String Wizards, Acousticats) is an instrumental powerhouse with an unstoppable wit and perpetual smile. Tom is a talented songwriter and has released two solo albums which have received wide recognition. When not touring with such laudable acts as John McEuan, Robin and Linda Williams, or his own band, Tom can be found haunting L.A. recording studios where he’s recorded with some of the top names in the business. For fun, Tom enjoys fishing in remote locations around the world. Argentina, Spain, the world is his fishing hole!

Guitarist Mike Mullins (Cache Valley Drifters, Acousticats) is well known to bluegrass fans. Having toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe as a member of The Cache Valley Drifters, Mike is no stranger to tight harmony singing and cheering crowds. Primarily known for his extraordinary mandolin playing, Mike’s guitar work in The Chris Cairns Band leaves no doubt of his capabilities on that instrument as well. Mike currently lives in Carpinteria with his family.

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