The KBA Treble Makers

The KBA Treblemakers​

The KBA Treblemakers began as the dream of the Kansas Bluegrass Association board of directors.  Their vision was to support youth in Bluegrass by offering them something more than just lessons for individual kids.  After all, the FUN part of playing Bluegrass music is meeting others and jamming.  So in 2010, board members began scouting for young folks at various jams sessions.  Through their efforts, the original Treblemakers band came to be. 

The band began performing in early 2011 under the direction of Mark Johnson and have been featured at such notable events as Wichita's Riverfest,  The Walnut Valley Festival’s Acoustic Kids stage and the legendary “Stage 5”.  Next came Colby KS Pickin’ on the Plains, Bartlett Arboretum’s Treehouse Concert Series, Rhonda & Darrin Vincent’s family festival at Sally Mountain Park and at Silver Dollar City's Bluegrass & Bar-B-Que 3 years running. 

After much hard work, the Treblemakers were proud to have achieved their goal of taking a Second Place Win in 2015 and a Fourth Place Win in 2016, at   The National Youth In Bluegrass Contest at Silver Dollar City, in Branson Missouri. The group was also honored to be chosen as featured performers on the IBMA's Youth Stage, at the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh, NC. in the fall of 2015.  Their latest source of pride, was in being hired as "paid performers", at The Walnut Valley Festival in the fall of 2016.

There have been several "generations" of the band and we're proud to say that all graduates of the Treblemakers are still making music. The current line-up consists of three sets of siblings, which makes the coordination of rehearsals and family schedules a LITTLE easier.

Dawson Tarrant from Conway Springs, is the only founding member still in the band.  Dawson joined the Treblemakers in 2010 at age 10.  

In addition to guitar, Dawson plays saxophone and piano, as well as writing songs for the band.   Dawson is currently attending Pittsburg State University .

Dawson will be leaving the band after a few more performances, to concentrate on his education.  

Sisters Caitlin and Alyssa Carlson are from Falun, Ks.  They joined the group in late 2012.  Cait plays fiddle and is a student at Kansas State University.  Alyssa plays bass with the Treblemakers and also plays oboe & cello in her schools band and orchestra.  She also plays piano and numerous other instruments.  She attends WSU University. Both girls will have one more performance at the KBA Wintrefest before leaving the group.

Brothers Wayne (18) and Mason (15) Ruble, are from Minneapolis, Ks. and both boys play multiple instruments.  Mason joined us in early 2013 on banjo and Wayne joined us shortly thereafter.  Wayne is primarily a guitar player but when he saw our need for someone to play the mandolin, he decided that he'd  give it a try.  Boy are we glad he did!  Both boys are avid outdoorsmen and athletes and will continue with the group into this coming year.

An added note for Mason Ruble, is that he was featured this year on ABC's  "Little Big Shots" with the band "The Salty Dogs".  We are so proud of Mason's accomplishments and happy to have been a part of his bluegrass journey. 

Jacob Metz is from Oxford, Ks. and he's another multi-instrumentalist.  He had just picked up the banjo when we met him at Winfield's Acoustic Kids in September 2013.  In October of that year,  he started playing the Dobro.  He joined our group and played his first performance with us in early 2014.  Jacob also plays guitar, mandolin, bass, saxophone, piano and has written a number of the songs that the group will be performing.

Ella Bird is from Wichita, Ks. and has been playing violin for 4 years.  She is a member of the Wichita Youth Symphony but is excited to be expanding her musical horizons into fiddling.  We first met Ella in 2013 at a Winfield Acoustic Kids performance and she joined us in the fall of 2015. 

Logan Metz joined the Treblemakers on the Bass, in the Fall of 2017.  He has brought a lot of energy to the group and we look forward to watching him grow in his skills. 

These kids are all grown up now. Keep your eyes open for them at future festivals. 

The KBA Treblemaker's First CD Was Released In 2015 And A Second Followed In 2016

The Treblemaker's recorded their first project as a way to raise money to attend the IBMA's in Raleigh, NC.  There are 7 songs on it, including 4 originals.

Their second CD released in 2016, has eleven songs on it.  We're very proud to tell you, that ten of the songs are originals, written exclusively by the band members.

Check out the CD's by emailing us at kba.treblemakers@kansasbluegrass.org  if you'd like us to mail you a copy. Suggested donation is $10 plus shipping.