Doug Bates - Doug Bates comes to the Smyth County Jam from the Pompano Beach area of Florida. He plays guitar and sings very well. Doug says he plays a 'little' mandolin, stressing the word "little". He is a member of the aforementioned band" GRAY LILY. The other member of the band is Andra Beames. Doug is also a song writer; he says he has about a hundred songs posted on YouTube. This is in addition to being a lawyer. Doug's grandfather was a banjo picker (claw-hammer style) and got him interested in playing music. He has four children, one son is a guitar player. Doug says he has been playing about forty years total. He admires the music of the late Gram Parsons. A favorite song is Parson's "Hickory Wind." We would be delighted to have him (and perhaps his band) back to play at the Smyth County Jam, should the opportunity arise.
