~ Band Bio ~

Constant Change was formed in January of 2002 by a group of North Carolina musicians in their twenties with a passion for bluegrass music. For the first several years the band lived up to its name, as various hot young pickers came and went. But once Brian Aldridge (banjo) and his brother Daniel (mandolin) stepped in to join founder Clifton Preddy (fiddle), the nucleus of a special band was in place. When singer/guitarist Dan Wells came aboard in 2004, the group zoomed into focus on the radar screen of "bands to watch." The last piece of the puzzle fell into place with the addition of bass player Gary Baird in early 2006.

Constant Change is on the move. After almost four years with the same stellar lineup, the band has graduated from playing local gigs to touring up and down the East coast. Now, with the release of its fourth CD, "Hills of Home," Constant Change is poised to burst upon the national scene as one of the hottest "new-traditional" bands around!

(Media: To download a complete band bio, please see Press Kit page)

 

Brian Aldridge - Banjo player and vocalist from Saxapahaw, NC

Born in 1981 and raised in Saxapahaw, NC, Brian grew up in a musical family. He got started on mandolin at age three, and graduated to banjo at thirteen. His father, Mike, now with Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion, was a long time member of the Bass Mountain Boys. It was with that group that Brian first played on stage. His favorite banjo players include Earl Scruggs and Jim Mills, and his picking reflects their precise, dynamic style. His wife's grandfather, award-winning North Carolina banjoist/vocalist A. L. Wood, was also a major influence.

Brian once claimed first prize at two fiddlers conventions back to back, playing "Dear Old Dixie" and "Randy Lynn Rag." His dream is to own a pre-war flathead banjo. Brian is also a master of the Scruggs style of finger picked guitar, which he often employs on the band's gospel quartets. Brian's hard-driving style, tasteful backup licks, and heartfelt vocals are the centerpiece of the Constant Change sound.
Brian's hobbies include hunting and picking, and he's a natural-born mechanic. When he's not playing music, Brian can be found in Chapel Hill where he works as a service technician for the University of North Carolina.

Daniel Aldridge - Mandolin player and vocalist from Saxapahaw, NC

Born in 1985, Brian's brother Daniel was inspired to play bluegrass by hearing IIIrd Tyme Out. He spent many years listening to and absorbing the music of great mandolin players before picking up the instrument himself at age fifteen. His influences include his father Mike, Wayne Benson, and Bill Monroe. Once he put fingers to strings, Daniel's progress was astonishing. Just barely out of high school, he joined Constant Change in November of 2003. He soon was recruited by Honi Deaton, with whom he toured from March through October of 2004.

Daniel spent the summer of 2005 touring with Jeannette Williams before returning to play with Constant Change. In addition to his dazzling mandolin picking, Daniel is a fine lead singer, and provides much of the baritone harmony in the band's trios and quartets.
In 2009 Daniel began a job at the Alamance County Sheriff's department, which keeps him working most weekends. When Daniel is not able to travel with Constant Change, Jason Wood takes over at the mandolin spot.

Jason, who was born in 1989 in Statesville, NC, is the grandson of A. L. Wood. He grew up immersed in music, and began playing guitar and singing at age nine. At fifteen he took up the bass and began performing with A. L. Wood & the Smokey Ridge Boys. In 2008 Jason switched to playing mandolin, and like Daniel he was a swift learner. He began playing part time with Constant Change in the spring of 2009. Jason's day job is as a sales rep for Power Transmission Services.

 

Gary Baird - Upright Bass player and vocalist from Berea, NC

Born in 1965 and raised in Berea, NC, Gary grew up in a family of bluegrass lovers. While overseas in the United States Navy, he taught himself to play the guitar, listening to Seldom Scene and Country Gentlemen tapes. After returning home, he began playing the bass with a local group. Gary has performed with many bands including Straightline, Lynwood Lunsford & the Misty Valley Boys, Second Chance, and New Classic Grass. In 2006 he joined Constant Change. Gary brings an infectious exuberance to the band's stage shows, and provides the bedrock rhythm that allows the other members to shine. On occasion he also contributes a solid lead or harmony vocal part.

When he's not playing music, Gary works for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as an electronics technician.

Clifton Preddy - Fiddle player and vocalist from Wilton, NC

Born in 1973 and raised in Wilton, NC, Clifton Preddy has been playing the fiddle as long as he can remember. From age three until sixteen, he took private classical violin lessons and performed at various regional fiddler's conventions, festivals, state fairs, and churches. He further honed his skills playing at regular weekly jam sessions with family members and friends, including the late Gene Wooten, who went on to perform with Wilma Lee Cooper, The Osborne Brothers, and others.

Over his musical career, Clifton has performed and recorded with many bands, including Swift Run, The Virginia Travelers, New Classic Grass, Lynwood Lunsford, New Vintage, Carolina Road, The Navy Bluegrass Band, The Jason Michael Carroll Band, Steel Creek, Carolina Connection, and The Beard Brothers. His greatest influences are Chubby Wise, Mark O'Connor, the Lonesome River Band, and his great-uncle, old-time fiddler Emil "Dunk" Preddy.

Clifton was a founding member of Constant Change, and he takes care of most of the band's business. He has contributed a number of original songs to the Constant Change repertoire. He sings both lead and harmony, and supplies the bass part in all of the band's quartets.

Clifton works as a Business Transformation Programs Manager in Research Triangle Park, and his job often involves international travel.

Dan Wells - Guitar player and vocalist from Angier, NC

Born in 1976 and raised in Big Sandy Mush, NC (near Asheville), Dan began playing fiddle when he was nine years old. He learned to sing in church, where he grew to love the old hymns and gospel music. In 1995 Dan moved to Raleigh to attend NC State University. While there he began playing guitar, and in 1999 he joined the bluegrass group Carolina Road. His powerful lead and tenor vocals helped the band garner attention on the festival circuit and expand its touring radius. Soon Dan's singing caught the ear of James King, and he joined the James King Band in the summer of 2003. In late 2004 he joined Constant Change.

Dan has a passion for the "high-lonesome" sound, and his musical heroes include the Johnson Mountain Boys and the Stanley Brothers. He brings a vast repertoire of traditional songs to the band, as well as many fine originals. In addition, his songs have been recorded by Carolina Road and Lost & Found. In 2007 Dan released his first solo album, "A Picture in a Frame."

Dan now lives in Angier, NC and works as a Livestock Agriculture Agent for Harnett County.