Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul Bring Powerful Bluegrass and Emotional Storytelling to Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge Country Getaway

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul are known for delivering bluegrass that is both hard-hitting and heartfelt. With a sound rooted firmly in tradition and driven by emotional storytelling, their performances connect deeply with audiences and leave a lasting impression.

Fronted by Dave Adkins’ commanding vocals, Mountain Soul blends tight musicianship with songs that speak to real life — faith, family, hardship, and hope. Their music balances high-energy bluegrass numbers with moments of reflection, creating a dynamic live show that keeps listeners fully engaged from start to finish.

What sets Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul apart is their ability to make every performance feel personal. Whether playing an up-tempo crowd favorite or a soul-stirring ballad, the band brings authenticity and passion to every note. It’s bluegrass that feels lived-in, honest, and real.

When Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul take the stage at Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge Country Getaway, fans can expect a performance filled with intensity, sincerity, and exceptional musicianship. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience their powerful sound live during the festival, March 19–21, 2026.

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul is a contemporary bluegrass ensemble led by Grammy-nominated vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Dave Adkins. Based in eastern Kentucky, the group is known for its high-energy performances, emotive vocal power, and blend of traditional bluegrass with country and gospel influences.

Key facts

• Leader: Dave Adkins (vocals, guitar)
• Origin: Elkhorn City, Kentucky, USA
• Genre: Bluegrass, country, gospel
• Recent label: Billy Blue Records (signed 2023)
• Latest album: What I’m For (2024)

Formation and Style

Dave Adkins formed Mountain Soul as part of his return to bluegrass following earlier ventures in country and rock. The band carries forward his reputation for soulful, commanding vocals and a showmanship that bridges modern and traditional bluegrass sounds. Live shows often feature Adkins originals—like “Pike County Jail”—and bluegrass interpretations of songs from other genres, including “Bad Moon Rising” and “I Can Only Imagine.” 

Career Highlights

Adkins’s career in bluegrass gained national attention with the 2014 release of Nothing to Lose on Mountain Fever Records, whose title track topped SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction charts. His self-titled 2016 album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart. Collaborations with artists like Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley have further cemented his standing in the genre. Mountain Soul’s evolving lineup showcases accomplished young musicians on fiddle, mandolin, bass, and banjo, many trained through East Tennessee State University’s bluegrass program. 

Recent Work

In 2023, Adkins joined Billy Blue Records and released the single “What I’m For,” followed by the full album of the same name in early 2024. The project reflects themes of hope and renewal following Adkins’s recovery from cancer and features production by Jerry Salley. Critics highlight its blend of heartfelt ballads and driving bluegrass instrumentation as emblematic of Adkins’s growth as both vocalist and songwriter. 

Legacy and Influence

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul continue to be fixtures at major bluegrass festivals across the U.S., praised for preserving Appalachian musical traditions while embracing a modern sound. Their work bridges audiences of bluegrass, country, and gospel, underscoring Adkins’s reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary roots music.