Duane Hess (Banjo & Lead Vocal) was born and raised near Dayton, Ohio but bluegrass was  deeply rooted in his family. Duane credits his interest in music to his Grandfather who taught all his sons to play music when they were in Kentucky. “Papaw had an old Gibson guitar he kept behind the T.V. and he wouldn’t let any of the grandkids play it but me. He told me that “if I was gonna learn to play that thing I better learn “Wildwood Flower””. So I did.”  That was in 1975 when Duane was 10 years old. While most kids his age was getting into mischief he was playing that guitar. Duane started his bluegrass career in 1983 when he joined “The South 40 Band” as doghouse bass player in Ohio. Two weeks after joining the band which by the way was two weeks after he starting playing the bass they recorded their first album on Central Recording label called “Shackles and Chains”. Duane’s second recording was on a 45 where he played bass for Holly Rabbith also on the Central label. In 1986 he joined Honey Creek as banjo player and recorded his next project called “Rider” on the Central Recording label.  After 3 years with Honey Creek Duane struck out on his own with a band called Sand Mountain, and stayed busy playing shows all over Ohio. His next recording was on a project for Kathy Clark a national gospel singer where he played guitar. Then in 1996 he formed a band called “Homeward Bound” who played in churches all over Ohio and Indiana. In 1997 he moved to Kentucky and immediately formed “Wilderness Road”.

Since forming “Wilderness Road” his music career has really taken off. He has played in three cities in Japan, Anjo, Gamagouri and Kayria City. He also has appeared on national T.V. where he met Russell and Curnie Lee. Wilderness Road’s debut CD “Family Friends & Acquaintances” on the “Wilderness Road Records” label was produced by Duane and has gained airplay all over the world. Wilderness Road has quickly become a fan favorite everywhere they perform. He has also appeared on the Cumberland Mountain Home CD. With Russell, Curnie Lee, and ex bluegrass boys Wayne Lewis, Tater Tate, Billy Rose and Jimmy Campbell. Dr. Ralph Stanley was also on this project. Some of the other musicians Duane has had the honor to do shows with are Joe Isaacs, T.Graham Brown, Shenandoah, David Marshall, to name just a few. “With Wilderness Road’s youth and the Wilson Brothers lonesome sound you’re sure to love this new project on Cross Cut Records. 

Doug Cummins (Guitar, Bass Vocal) started playing guitar in 1994. Doug and some of his friends use to gather on the weekends around a campfire; Where Robert Rice would play the guitar and sing. Doug enjoyed these campfire gatherings so much that he decided to buy a guitar and learn. Robert went with him to purchase his guitar and taught him his first song “Wildwood Flower”; from there he worked on playing rhythm. He never really knew what kind of music he wanted to focus on until he heard IIIrd Tyme Out, after hearing them he was hooked on bluegrass. 

In 1997 Doug met Duane Hess and his bluegrass career began. In just a short time after meeting Duane he was playing his first show as a member of the newly formed “Wilderness Road”. Doug said, “it’s been four years since that first show at the Stringbean Festival, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was never so scared in my life, and the next thing I knew I was on stage opening for T. Graham Brown. Man this has been a fast ride.” 

In 1999 he was playing on his first recording. “Wilderness Road” was in the studio working on their debut release, when Duane kept thinking we need a bass singer on some of these cuts. He kept pressing Doug to try the bass part but Doug kept saying, “I can’t sing”. Finally after a few more attempts from Duane he gave in, and a bass singer was born. Doug’s rhythm playing and his bass voice are among the best in the business. 

Leonard Isaacs (Bass & Old Time Banjo) was introduced to bluegrass at a very young age. His Dad Herman and two brothers Darryl and Herman played and young Leonard would watch and listen yearning to learn. It seemed only right that he did learn, being the nephew of bluegrass great Joe Isaacs and the Isaac Family. At the age of 12 he started playing the banjo. At 15 he started playing bass, mandolin and guitar.

Leonard then started a band with his brother Herman called Timberline.  He played with them for a little over a year when he met Duane Hess at the Stringbean Festival in 1998 where Duane asked him to fill in on the bass with Wilderness Road, and he has been a member of the band ever since. Leonard has lent his talents to some other artist as well over the years such as, Joe Isaacs, Jerry Isaacs (The Chicken Man) and John Cosby.

When asked what is the show that sticks out in his mind the most his answer was the radio shows he has played with Wilderness Road. When he was a kid he used to listen to his Uncle Joe on the radio and dream about being there himself. Little did he realize that many radio shows would soon follow. He has also had the honor to play shows with country great T.Graham Brown. As well as bluegrass greats IIIrd Tyme Out, Ralph Stanley, Melvin Goins and the list go on and on. Once you hear his dedication to playing  you’ll soon discover he is one of the best to ever play.