About Us – Wild Blue Yonder

Who is Wild Blue Yonder?

Musicians/songwriters Philip Coward and Melissa Wade started Wild Blue Yonder in late 1999 as a progressive bluegrass band. Having performed multiple music styles in a variety of bands previously, the two decided to fully embrace their Appalachian roots. Since that time, the band has hosted many talented musicians and ventured through an array of musical seasons – Folk, Americana, Old-Time and Celtic genres to name a few.

Today, Philip and Melissa are joined by classically-trained cellist/vocalist Kristiana McCombs Arnwine and percussionist Barry Johnson to round out the WBY line-up.

Kristiana, also a songwriter who plays guitar and violin, is a proficient pianist and teaches privately in Knoxville. Originally from Illinois, she loves the beauty and culture of East Tennessee and is well-versed in both Applachian and Scottish Folk music. Barry not only brings a rhythmic punch to the group’s rootsy sound, but also contributes video and media production behind the scenes.

Wild Blue Yonder’s new focus on its sacred/Gospel repertoire is important to all four members as it spreads the salvation message of Christianity. They also love sharing Old-Time, Folk and Celtic tunes in honor of the rich musical heritage of Southern Appalachia.

Our Band Members…

Slide1 – Phil

Phil Coward

Philip, who plays guitar, mandolin and banjo, comes from a long and diverse musical background, and is one of the co-founders of Wild Blue Yonder. Phil started playing guitar at age 12, then bass a few years later, until early twenties when he was working with several Knoxville-area bands. His time with music included leading several top 40 bands in the 70’s & 80’s, including an overseas USO tour. See our bio section on our website with your PC for more of Phil’s bio.

Philip, who plays guitar, mandolin and banjo, comes from a long and diverse musical background. He began playing guitar at age 12, bass a few years later, and was a veteran of numerous working bands in Knoxville by age 22. While he led several top 40 bands in the 1970s and ’80s – one of which toured overseas with the USO – acoustic music was what he enjoyed offstage. Today he is immersed not only in the music of the British Isles, but also its tradition and culture. And if you’re curious about anything Scots-Irish – from the Ulster emigration to the battle of King’s Mountain – he’s the man to ask!

Slide2 – Melissa

Melissa Wade

Melissa is lead vocalist, guitarist, co-founder of Wild Blue Yonder, and life-long lover of sacred music. Her love of music began at the piano, her first instrument, at age 8. It was there that she learned the structure from which creativity can blossom. A small Methodist church gathering in Mascot, Tennessee was her first piano “gig” as a young teen, and in that setting she formed a life-long love of sacred music. See our bio section on our website with your PC for more of Melissa’s bio.

Melissa‘s love of music began at the piano, her first instrument, at age 8. It was there that she learned the structure from which creativity can blossom. A small Methodist church in Mascot, Tennessee, was her first piano “gig” as a young teen, and in that setting she formed a life-long love of sacred music. Guitar was the next instrument to catch her ear, largely owing to the music of Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith, major influences on her performance style. Continuing to evolve musically is what keeps her artistically fresh, and that evolution has led to her recent fascination with Celtic song and Gaelic language.

Slide3 – Barry

Barry Johnson

Born in London, England, and having lived in California and Florida, Barry has called Knoxville his home now for many years. Barry began drumming in the 6th grade with marching bands through to his college years, where he also enjoyed writing percussion scores. His drumming history includes accoustic rock-jazz/fusion band “Disconnected” and Pop rock band “CSI“. His innovative contribution to WBY includes the cajon, stomp box, chimes, cymbals and other light percussion. See our bio section on our website with your PC for more of Barry’s bio.

While he shies away from the title “international star,” Barry was indeed born in London, England. The son of a military father, he and his family traveled and lived in various locales in his youth, including California and Florida. He has called Knoxville home for many years, however, and even played in the Pride of the Southland Marching band in his college days. His drumming and percussionist history includes stints in the bands Disconnected (acoustic rock and jazz/fusion) and CSI (pop rock), among others. He began drumming in the 6th grade school band and – in high school and beyond – enjoyed writing percussion scores for marching bands. Barry’s contribution to the Wild Blue Yonder sound is rhythmic innovation and creativity in adding percussive nuances to Appalachian songs with cajon, stomp box, chimes, cymbals and other light percussion. He also loves being the comic relief at intense WBY rehearsals, and says one of his favorite things about the group is, “I can act a fool and nobody gets mad at me!”

Slide4 – Kristiana

Kristiana McCombs Arnwine

Kristiana, the newest member of WBY, is a classically-trained cellist and vocalist, and also an accomplished pianist and guitarist. Originally from Illinois, Kristiana moved south in 2013 to receive her Bachelor’s of Music Education and Bachelor’s of Cello Performance at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Kristiana teaches voice, piano and cello in Knoxville. See her full bio from your computer on our WBY website. Also see Kristiana’s website at:
kristianamccombsmusic.com

Kristiana, the newest member of WBY, brings a primitive beauty to the group’s Appalachian, Gospel and Celtic music. A classically-trained cellist and vocalist, her emotive vocals and energetic style recently won her first place in Sevier County’s “Mountain Soul” Vocal Competition. She is also an accomplished pianist and guitarist, and teaches voice, piano and cello in Knoxville. Originally from Illinois, Kristiana moved south in 2013 to receive her Bachelor’s of Music Education and Bachelor’s of Cello Performance at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. She fell in love with the beautiful scenery and culture of Tennessee and says, “It’s my joy to share folk music of the Scottish and Appalachian highlands with Wild Blue Yonder.”
Her improvisation and music arrangement skills bring a fresh sparkle to WBY songs new and old.
Kristiana says she enjoys listening to many genres of music, most recently including Scots and Gaelic folk singers Dougie MacLean, Julie Fowlis, and Karen Matheson. She offers, “I believe in the power of Folk music, as it expresses our joys, mundanities, sorrows, and hopes regardless of the century or continent from which it comes.” See Kristiana’s website at:
kristianamccombsmusic.com

What They’re Saying…

Slide 0

“Wild Blue Yonder preserves a timeless musical tradition . . . ”

–Lee Zimmerman, Maryville Daily Times

Slide 1

“ . . . terrific arrangements and breathtaking musicianship. It’s all fresh, exciting and genuine”

–Tim Walsh, Bluegrass Now Magazine

Slide 2

“The strongest songs are the originals . . . and each song has a distinctive feel. The lyrics . . . are personal and full of strong imagery”

–Casey Henry, Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine

Slide 3

“But it is the gentle voice and the songwriting skill of guitarist Wade that takes center stage . . . ”

–Bob Mitchell, Louisville Music News

In the News…

GSMHC Sept 2022

—CONTRIBUTED REPORTS, Citizen Tribune, Mar 20,2024

Carson-Newman to host
Wild Blue Yonder
in concert

GSMHC Sept 2022

Band Celebrates Scots-Irish Musical Traditions In Appalachia

—TINA CHUDINA

The Greeneville Sun, Sunday Dec 10, 2023

Lee Zimmerman – Nov 2023

Wild Blue Yonder fly high by keeping local culture alive

—LEE ZIMMERMAN | NOV 8, 2023

Maryville Daily Times

GSMHC Sept 2022

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center presents Wild Blue Yonder, Fri Sept 9, 2022

—gsmheritagecenter.org

eventbrite

Steve Wildsmith – Reaching Back Through Time – 2022

Melissa Wade and Phil Coward, along with their bandmates, are reaching back through time for more ancient sounds…

—Steve Wildsmith

Maryville Daily Times

Dandridge Scots-Irish Fest 2022

Wild Blue Yonder’s energetic brand of Appalachian Celtic music celebrates our region’s rich Scots-Irish heritage –
Sept 24, 2022

—Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival

WATE – 2020 Second Saturday

Wild Blue Yonder at Knox County Parks & Recreation 2020 Second Saturday Concert Series

—Melanie Vásquez Russell

WATE News, abc channel 6

mountainrose vinyard | coalfield article | 2020

“Wild Blue Yonder Band” will provide entertainment to accompany a selection of Irish-themed dinner options and a wine tasting with MountainRose Vineyard
March 14, 2020

—Friends of the Southwest Virginia Museum

The Coalfield Progress

Lee Zimmerman – Rootsy Sound – 2019

Wild Blue Yonder…which first formed in 2000, creates a riveting, rootsy sound that’s vintage and varied all at the same time

—Lee Zimmerman

Maryville Daily Times

WATE- 2019 Summer Concert Series

—WATE 6 On Your Side staff

WATE News, abc channel 6

Daily Times – Pickin’ Porch – 2019

Wild Blue Yonder at Pickin’ Porch, Kingsport TN
playing: “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive“, May 23, 2019

—The Daily Times

Maryville Daily Times

WBIR – Clayton Park 2018

Wild Blue Yonder …concert on Sept. 15, 2018 at 7:30pm at Clayton Park … Sept 11, 2018-4pm

—WBIR.com

WBIR News, nbc channel 10

Heather Miller – 2017 – Old-Time Tunes

Wild Blue Yonder brings old-time tunes to antique shopping district in historic Clinton, TN

—Heather Miller

Clinton Courier News

Wayne Bledsoe – to Explore Celtic – 2017

Wild Blue Yonder at Vienna Coffee House, Maryville, Fri Jan 13, 2017

—Wayne Bledsoe

Knoxville News Sentinel

Steve Wildsmith – WBY graces GSMHC – 2016

Wild Blue Yonder Graces Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Stage After Four Year Absence

—Steve Wildsmith

Maryville Daily Times

Cumberland Gap – 2013

…summer campfire program schedule will kick off..with…”Wild Blue Yonder!”. Their performances have spanned the southern states,
including North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and eastern Tennessee

National Park Service

—Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

UT Studio 865 – 2008

Wild Blue Yonder on Studio 865, University of Tennessee, Sept 10, 2008

—Studio 865 | “the future of local music”