ABOUT
Lee Ward: (guitar and lead vocals)
Founding member of the group. Lee has played with numerous Bluegrass groups throughout the Carolinas for the past 40 + years.
Southern Express was formed in 1978.
Lee works at Lift One as a Product Support Sales Rep.
Mike Benton: (mandolin / lead-tenor vocals)
Mike has played various styles of music over the span of his life and earned his music degree from Appalachian State University.
A charter member, Mike re-joined Southern Express in 1988.
Mike is the owner of Hill Electric Company in Charlotte NC.
Donnie Gulledge: (banjo and baritone vocals)
Donnie has played banjo since 1968, performing with several regional bluegrass groups.
Donnie joined Southern Express in 2012.
Brian Hinson: (bass guitar / baritone-lead vocals)
Brian started playing music at the age of 16. He began playing bass in 1988 when he and a few friends started Common Ground band.
Former founding member of A Deeper Shade of Blue, Brian joined Southern Express in 2015.
Jim Browne (bass / 1986-2014) Retired in 2014**
Jim's diverse musical background began in 1948.
During the early part of his musical career, Jim played with several symphonic orchestras until becoming involved with acoustic music in 1960.
Jim joined Southern Express in 1986.
With deepest sympathy to Jim's family for
the loss of our friend and brother.
"Life's Railway to Heaven"
*1940-2018*