Screamin’ Bridge

Location: R.A. Fountain

Photo by Donna Davis

Screamin’ Bridge!
New bluegrass from Martin County! Read about ’em in Bluegrass Today.

Screamin’ Bridge, started by Matthew Manning in Spring 2022, is a young, energetic, feel-good bluegrass quartet. Growing up playing bluegrass in the family band Dry Creek and at bluegrass festivals, Manning and his cousin Brendan Mobley are deeply rooted in the traditional music.

Manning organized Screamin’ Bridge with Mobley and two local musicians and bluegrass enthusiasts, Jacob Vaughan and Justin Edwards of the locally renowned Martin County Ramblers.

Edwards has also recently released a solo CD, Isabella, with Pattie Kinlaw Hopkins guest fiddling.

They were one of 8 bands selected to perform at the Merlefest ’24 band competition.

Screamin’ Bridge at Merlefest ’24 photo by Donna Davis

Their self-titled debut album features 15 original songs, including two instrumentals, all composed by Manning and Edwards.

Manning plays guitar and mandolin, Mobley is on fiddle, Edwards on guitar, banjo, and Dobro, and Vaughan plays upright bass.

Justin and Jacob are from Bear Grass and Matthew and Brendan are from Farm Life.

Every one in the band sings but Matthew is primary lead singer. Brendan also sings lead and tenor and Jacob joins them in their 3-part harmonies. Justin also sings the occasional lead and bass.  

The band takes its name from a renowned Martin County bridge and its ghost story, which they’ll explain in song tonight, or you can read about here.

Tags: Concert, original, tradtional bluegrass