Mark Phillips began playing bluegrass at the age of 14 with his father, Wayne Phillips, who formed the band. Mark's first instrument was the banjo. He played the banjo for about 8 years. He is currently playing guitar for the band. He also plays the mandolin and the bass. Mark sings most of the lead in the band. Mark is a very talented musician and he writes for the band as well.

Daniel Foulks joined the band in 1999. Daniel began playing classical music at the age of 4. Daniel has a BME Bachelors of Music Education degree from OU and is currently teaching orchestra at a school and also teaches various instruments to about 20 private students. Daniel's switch to bluegrass music has added a very versatile sound to the band. He also sings bass and some tenor for the band. Daniel is a very talented musician and many people say he's one of the smoothest fiddle players they have ever heard.

Roger Starnes is a native of north Forth Worth, Texas. He has been playing the banjo since he was 10 years old. He teaches lessons for the guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro. He has won several championships in the Banjo category and is the Texas State Banjo Champion many times over. Roger also was the 2002 Texas State Banjo Champion.

Kendall Murphy lives in Alma, Arkansas, where he graduated High School last year. At 18 years of age, he plays the upright bass with enthusiasm and outstanding creativity. He began his interest in bluegrass music by going to festivals when he was 14 years old with his grandpa, who plays the banjo. He has played with local bluegrass bands for two years, but says he's looking forward to being a part of IIIrd Generation.

Scott Schmidt is the newest member of IIIrd Generation. He currently lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma and attends Oklahoma State University. Scott has an incredible musical background; he started Suzuki violin at age 3, and switched to mandolin at age 10. In September 2002, at the age of 16, Scott took first place in the National Mandolin Championship in Winfield, KS after having placed third in 2001. He is a spokesman for Weber mandolins, and Scott has a distinctive style, with the cleanest picking around, and an unmistakable, solid rhythm technique. Scott loves to try new styles, such as Celtic, Jazz and Classical music, playing anything from Bach to Bluegrass.

Wayne Phillips is the founder of the band. He started out playing country music until the switch to bluegrass in 1994. Wayne and his son, Mark, formed IIIrd Generation Bluegrass Band in 1995.

Seed Newsvine