Randy Cook & Commonwealth Bluegrass Band is based in central Virginia. The band has been together since 2012, quickly building a fan base in central Virginia and beyond. In February, 2014 the band released its first well received self-titled CD. Band leader Randy Cook plays mandolin and sings lead and harmony vocals and is a veteran performer. In the late 1990’s he joined with banjo great James Bailey (formerly with The Country Gentlemen) to form James Bailey & Company. The group released two CD’s that introduced Randy to Bluegrass music at the national level. Banjo player Malcolm Pulley is best known for writing the bluegrass standard “In The Gravel Yard” –recorded by Blue Highway and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, among many others, and nominated for IBMA song of the year in 1996. Malcolm has continued to have songs recorded by other groups such as The Rambling Rooks, James King, Tina Adair, Paul Adkins, Mill Run, and Michelle Nixon and Drive. Malcolm wrote four of the twelve songs on the new Commonwealth Bluegrass Band CD. Bassist Lance Seal is an accomplished singer and musician, playing guitar, banjo, and bass. He also sings lead and harmony. Lance has played on an informal basis with numerous local and regional bands and recorded his own solo project. Jason Owen plays guitar in the band and sings lead and harmony. Jason has been around Bluegrass music since his early childhood and is well-known for his strong rhythm guitar style, superb singing and his song-writing. He has had songs recorded by numerous groups, including Kenny and Amanda Smith. He also wrote one song for the new Commonwealth Bluegrass Band release.