Jake McCandles — Bluegrass Guitarist, Vocalist & Multi-Instrumentalist Making bluegrass feel like a conversation: heartfelt, honest, and rooted deep in tradition.

Where Jake Comes From

Jake McCandles is a Maryland-born bluegrass guitarist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist whose life has always been intertwined with acoustic music. Raised on the voices that defined the genre — Bill Monroe, The Country Gentlemen, Reno & Smiley, Jimmy Martin, and more — bluegrass became more than something he listened to. It became home.

Jake’s Musical Heroes & Influences

Jake’s sound is shaped by the legendary minds of bluegrass: Tony Rice, Charlie Waller, Norman Blake, Larry Sparks, Doc and Merle Watson, George Shuffler, Tom Gray, Billy Strings, and many others. Their tone, timing, and philosophies continue to guide his musical decisions and inspire his own artistic voice. Each time Jake takes a stage or simply joins a jam anywhere, he feels driven to honor his heroes in any way he can. He humbly accepts each opportunity to do so with grace and tradition.

A Musician of Many Instruments

Driven by curiosity and passion, Jake learned guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, and upright bass. Each instrument spoke to him differently — the rhythmic authority of guitar, the snap of Scruggs-style banjo, the clarity of an F-style mandolin, the cry of the dobro, and the warm heartbeat of the bass. Knowing every role helped him develop a deeper, ensemble-minded approach to music.

The Bands Jake Performs With

Jake fronts his main group, Old Line Ramblers, a band rooted in tradition but not afraid to explore new edges. He also performs with Hard Times Bluegrass Band, and occasionally fills in with Blue Spruce alongside Tom Gray and Barb Diederich. Though not a member of Blue Spruce, he considers it an honor every time they call.

Artists Jake Has Worked With

Jake has performed with respected figures across the acoustic world, including:
• Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
• Tom Gray — legendary bassist of The Country Gentlemen and the original Seldom Scene
• Russ Hooper — whose dobro work includes Jimmy Martin, Flatt & Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, and more
Each experience sharpened his craft and deepened his appreciation for bluegrass tradition.

Stages That Shaped Him

Jake’s journey has carried him to meaningful stages such as Hills of Home and Lucketts, long considered the Grand Ole Opry of Bluegrass Music. These venues — along with countless festivals, jams, and late-night sessions — helped shape not only his musicianship but his understanding of community in bluegrass.

Jake’s Mission in Music

For Jake, playing bluegrass is a privilege. Every show, song, and rehearsal is another brick in the story he’s building. His mission is simple: honor the music that raised him, carve out his own voice within it, and inspire others the way his heroes inspired him.