Instructors
Dean Osborne
Beginning his career in 1980, Dean Osborne has had a hand in just about every area of the bluegrass music business. As an artist and bandleader, he and the Eastbound Band were nominated in 2001 for IBMA emerging artist of the year as well as being featured as a showcase act for the IBMA Tradeshow and Fanfest. He has been featured with Richard Bennett on releases for Rebel Records including their first "Live" video release as well as recording as a solo artist for Pinecastle Records. His DVD release,” The Dean Osborne Band; Live” includes liner notes from Eddie Adcock calling Osborne “ ..one of the best tenors of our time.”
As an producer of over 75 multi- day events, his credits include the Red Mule Festival, the J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival, and the 30 year Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival in Hyden, Kentucky, the latter being nominated for IMBA Event of the Year in 2001.Dean was one of four featured artists at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s “Truckstop Series” featuring the New York string quartet Ethel. He was the tour coordinator and a featured performer for the 16 city American Bluegrass Masters Tour in 2009-2011 presented by Opus 3 Artists of New York.
As a radio and syndicated TV show host, Dean can be heard on WSGS FM in Hazard ,Kentucky each Tuesday night from 7:00 to 10:00 PM . The 100,000 watt air and internet broadcast of “Deano’s Bluegrass Show” has been under Dean’s direction since 2009 and features interviews, live music as well as recorded music from different artists. He has also been the 5 year co-host of “Our Mountains” TV show, broadcast to over 2 million homes on cable and satellite systems and currently available on YouTube.
As an instructor, Dean expanded a 20 year teaching career by accepting the position of director of HCTC’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in March of 2006, located in Hyden, Kentucky. KSBTM has had students from 23 states study in person as well as several students studying online in Japan. Dean also endorses and performs on a custom “Hatfield” banjo built in Glasgow, Kentucky. For over 40 years, Dean has performed at venues throughout the country including The Texas Troubadour Theatre’s Midnight Jamboree at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, Tn. The program was broadcast live on WSM and celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bobby Osborne’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry as well as being a headline act for the 2022 50th anniversary of Dr. Ralph Stanley’s Hills of Home Festival in Coeburn, Virginia. Dean and wife Sarah make their home in Hyden , Ky. with their children, Jesse and Royce.
Appearing with the Dean Osborne Band for the 2024-2025 touring season are longtime friends and collaborators Kelly Caldwell( Bass and Vocals), Scott Fields(Guitar and Vocals) and Bobby Masters(Mandolin and Vocals) with each member bringing 30+ years of experience, star level resumes and stage skill. Presenting a show that includes traditional, progressive and country flavored Bluegrass as well as great comedy and instrumental work,The Dean Osborne Band is one of the best “live” concerts on the circuit today. You will be glad you came!
Virgil Bowlin
Virgil Bowlin joins the faculty at Hazard Community and Technical College with more than 28 years of experience in performing and teaching bluegrass and old-time Appalachian music. He is happy to be part of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional music, where he stresses to students: "Be true to who you are. Don't look back. Never give up. It's always about the next goal or the next attempt. Take small steps toward large goals and always seek a better version of yourself."
Bowlin was born into a musical family on the site of the Peerless Coal Camp near Williamsburg. Virgil is a talented songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist, noted Dean Osborne, director of KSBTM.
Osborne noted, "A musician the caliber of Vigil Bowlin, who also possesses a tremendous talent as a recording engineer, only comes along once in a great while. Coupled with a true heart for instruction of students at all levels and multi-instrumental performance credentials, KSBTM is very fortunate to have Vigil on our team."
Many may know him from his days performing in a music group called the Bowlin Family, which performed at churches, civic groups, and the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
After college, Bowlin was hired by the legendary, award-winning bluegrass music artist/band Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, performing at venues including the National 4th of July Celebration in Washington D.C., the historic Ryman Auditorium, and the world-famous Grand Old Opry. Virgil appeared on a Larry Sparks CD titled Special and also in a Larry Sparks music video. Bowlin and fellow faculty member Scott Napier both worked with Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers (1996-2000), and he's glad their paths have crossed again--this time in a teaching venue.
Virgil taught music in public schools from 2003 to 2008 in both the Laurel and Whitley County school systems.
Bowlin continues with his music in a variety of ways. He sings, plays, and teaches many instruments, including voice, mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, lap dulcimer, upright bass, piano, resophonic guitar, and others. He also conducts shape-note singing schools, performs as a studio musician, tunes pianos, and transcribes music into different kinds of tablature and into standard music notation. Moreover, he is proficient in the use of Finale, MuseScore, and Table Edit transcription software and teaches workshops at various festivals and shows, including several IBMA teacher workshops.
Virgil is the audio recording instructor at KSBTM. Virgil is also the owner and engineer of Peerless Studios and is proficient in the use of Pro Tools and Cubase recording software. He has recorded musicians with skill levels ranging from amateurs to "pro pickers," such as Bobby Osborne, Dean Osborne, Michael Prewitt, Steven Moore, Brady Wallen, Dan Eubanks, Wanda Barnett, Richard Bennett, The Price Sisters, Scott Napier and others.
One album recorded by Virgil, "Robert Mulinax and His Native Flute", was nominated for a Native American Music Award (NAMY). Michael Prewitt's "Peerless Mountain Sessions" album was released in 2024 and is receiving serious acclaim in the bluegrass business. Virgil still goes out and gives many live performances that emphasize the Appalachian music he loves. Many of these concerts are directed toward children. "It is important to me to recognize and study the importance of the bluegrass and old-time music from the past while striving to be an integral part of the inevitable evolution of music today and in the future," he said.
Bowlin has a bachelor's degree in music from Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) in Williamsburg.
Virgil Bowlin lives near Williamsburg with his wife, Dona. Virgil has six children.
