Thomas Cassell

Originally from the sacred bluegrass mountains of southwestern Virginia, Thomas Cassell is among the highest rank of modern bluegrass musicians. Cassell currently plays mandolin with the Wood Box Heroes, racking up numerous Grand Ole Opry performances with the band. Previously, he was a founding member of respected progressive group Circus No. 9, and has performed as a sideman with Billy Strings, the Bryan Sutton Band, Jim Lauderdale, Nefesh Mountain, Missy Raines, Bronwyn-Keith Hynes, and many more.

Cassell’s latest album, The Never-Ending Years, is currently out on Mountain Fever Records.

In 2021 Cassell was named the National Mandolin Champion. He was also named the 2020 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, 2021 FreshGrass Mandolin Champion, 2016 Rockygrass Mandolin Champion, and is a two-time alum of the prestigious Acoustic Music Seminar in Savannah Georgia, where he mentored under artists including Darrell Scott, Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall, Aoife O’Donovan, and Julian Lage.