The Wirebeaters


Members of the Band

Larry Lengacher

Larry Lengacher
Banjo player Larry Lengacher brings leadership to the Wirebeater's sound with his solid banjo leads and his high lead vocals.

Larry was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1961, he and his family moved to Florida in 1973. That's when he got his first banjo and he never looked back. His banjo playing is truly enjoyable to listen to. His banjo licks whether he's playing fast or slow or just filling in, are superbly smooth. Larry is still learning and growing and his banjo playing shows it. So whether Larry is plunking on the five string or strumming the guitar his musicianship is clear.

Larry's voice was made for bluegrass music. Whether Larry is singing lead or singing harmony, his voice brings a fullness to the band. When he sings with his sister Beverly the sibling vocals come together with truly wonderful sounds.

The pride Larry takes in his music is very clear when you talk to him about it. "I'm proud to be playing the music this country was built around," he says with a big smile. Larry is tied tightly to bluegrass music and it shows in every performance he does.

Beverly Harrelson

Beverly Harrelson
Sarasota resident Beverly Harrelson plays the mandolin and sings true bluegrass harmony. Her crisp, clear mandolin helps give the Wirebeaters the drive to their songs.

Beverly was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1963. Little did her parents know that she would someday carry on bluegrass music in its truest form. Or maybe they did, for when they all moved to Florida in 1973. Her parents bought her a mandolin and her brother a banjo instead of a television set. Beverly was ten and she.s been pickin ever since.

Beverly has a strong bluegrass voice her harmonies make any song sound wonderful. Her lead singing is starting to come forward and it too rings with beautiful bluegrass tones. When Beverly duo.s with her brother the harmonies are truly something to be heard.

"I love bluegrass music and I love playing with the Wirebeaters, I.m grateful that my father got me started when I was just a young girl," was Beverly's answer when asked about how she feels about the music. You can see her love for bluegrass every time she takes the stage.
Email Beverly Harrelson

Todd Lingo

Todd Lingo
"Born there, in 1966 but never lived there." That's Todd Lingo's description of where he was born. "Salisbury, Maryland on my way to Florida," Todd chuckles. Todd was born into a music family where he learned to play the bass with energy and drive. That makes him a perfect fit for the Wirebeaters.

Todd has a long history with country music and brings that to the Wirebeaters. He played with his brothers for many years all over the West Central Florida area. All this experience is golden now, as he leads the stage show with a sense of humor and flair few others possess.

Todd's strong baritone voice whether leading an old country or bluegrass standard or filling in the bottom of gospel quartets, is exceptional.

Todd can be found many a night sitting around a campfire playing the bass, or the guitar, or mandolin and singing as long as anyone will listen, and then some usually.

Todd is a true pure heart when it comes to music. He says, "There are two kinds of music, Bluegrass and the others."

Bryce Thompson

Bryce Thompson
Dobro player Bryce Thompson adds another layer of sound that seems to expand the sound that was already there. Bryce was born in 1967 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey he plays dobro, guitar, and bass. His eclectic style comes from influences like James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Led Zeppelin, and Jerry Douglas. Bryce's songwriting is an asset to the Wirebeaters' already strong original repertoire. When asked Bryce said "I have found such a love for bluegrass music. You have to have good songs and be able to play well, because there are no electronics, it.s truly pure music."

John Moody

John Moody
In 1976 John formed the Wooden Nickel Band with an old high school friend to perform with the Polk County Bicentennial Touring Medicine Show. The group played county fairs and bicentennial events across the State of Florida, as well as a Festival in Perry Florida with the Bluegrass legend, Bill Monroe. After the group disbanded, John joined Bluegrass Southern Style as a vocalist and guitarist. The band performed at many Bluegrass Festivals in Florida and won an audition for a USO Tour in Germany in 1980. The group recorded the album Rosewater Mountain of which the title cut was written by Moody. After completing graduate school at UVA with a degree in Landscape Architecture, John returned to Bradenton and established a business and a folk and acoustic group called “From the Heart”. The band, enjoyed local success performing local restaurants and community events.

John joined the Wirebeaters in January 2009. He plays a Collings D-1 rosewood guitar.

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