When nine-year-old Jason Jordan met Bill Monroe, he got to play his mandolin, and his love for bluegrass music began. Shortly after that, Jason began playing mandolin in his first band, an all-youth band called The Parking Lot Pickers. This young group won a music contest that allowed them to then make their first recording. Jason subsequently was a founding member of Just In Tyme. It was around this time, that he started writing and arranging his own songs. Shortly after he got a call from long time friend, Lynn Coones, who extended the invitation for him to join Brightwater Junction as their guitar player. Jason, along with Lynn, Tonya, and Eric Coones, played for over 15 years together, and won the 2012 National Single Mic Championship. Jason co-wrote the song "Captain" that was recorded and made popular by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and also wrote seven of the songs on the Route 3 debut album. Jason has also written 10 songs on the follow up album "Losing Time" 

At the age of 12, Doug Clifton began playing bass at his home Church, Macedonia Freewill Baptist in the Southwest Missouri town of Purdy. Soon after, he and best friend Brandon Rickman, along with Brandon’s brother Heath and dad Gary, formed The Rickmans. In 2000, Doug was a part of New Reflections, winners of the S.P.B.G.M.A International Band contest in Nashville, Tennessee. Doug has played with multiple bands over the years including The Messengers, Breakaway, The Signature Quartet, The Kellys, The Drifters, The Wolf Family and New Road. He has also filled in with National touring bands including New Tradition, Bradley Walker,  Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Primitive Quartet, Richard Bennett and The Isaacs. 

 

J.R. Freeland was born and raised in the southwest Missouri area and started playing banjo at age 7. He grew up in a family of musicians that traces back for many generations. His cousin, David Medlock was the first banjo influence on J.R. as a young lad, inspiring him to learn the instrument.  J.R.’s family was a big part of local bluegrass music parties and travelled to bluegrass festivals whenever they could. If asked for his favorite banjo playing style, he would say those with drive like J.D. Crowe, Terry Baucom and Scott Vestal. When you hear him play, you’ll hear some of that same drive coming off the stage. 

J.R. and his wife, Stacy, moved to north central Arkansas in 1994. They had played music in church for a few years, started raising a family in 1996, and around 2000 started playing some bluegrass with their friends Gene Collins, Randall Romans and Greg Potter.  The 5 swiftly formed a friendship through music and in 2001 the 5-piece band, Southwind, was born. More children were born as well and family priorities replaced time to play music. Many years were spent on the high school rodeo trail with the kids, causing banjo playing to be sidelined for a bit. Until daughter Charla, at age 15, decided she was going to learn to play guitar and put rodeo to the side… she did just that. After a few years, around 2022, she put her own unit together, The Charla Freeland Band, and asked her favorite banjo player, Dad, to join her. So, of course he did, and still does whenever they take the stage.  In 2023,  CFB took 2nd place in the SPBGMA International Band Contest and have played many festivals from Michigan to Texas.  

When asked to join Route 3, J.R. took the opportunity to cover the decision in prayer, and he was honored to soon accept the position with no hesitation. He had enjoyed filling in with the band at a few shows and the instant “mesh” felt right. When the Lord opens a door to stand on stage with brothers in Christ who love the Lord, love their families, and the same style of music, it’s an easy yes. It’s an honor & privilege to share the stage with these gentlemen and ready to make some good music!  

While attending College of the Ozarks, Greg developed an interest in playing guitar and soon, with the help of his uncle James Potter, purchased his first quality guitar.  Together they began attending local jams, including the longstanding Monday night jams at McClurg, MO where he learned to “second” on guitar.  During this time, he met long-time friends Justin George, Tim McClung, Jeremy George, and John Combs and began playing festivals throughout Missouri and Arkansas.  This group of friends has continued to play together for over 30 years.  Around 2002 Greg joined the group Southwind as the mandolin player and was fortunate to record two albums during this period.  Following the time with Southwind, Greg was asked to join the well-established group Arlington and hold down the guitar and harmony parts for the next two years until his family started growing and choosing to take a break from the busy schedule of a touring band.  In 2010, Darrell Turnbull called and asked if he would be interested in filling in at his Back Forty Bluegrass festival to fill one of the band slots.  This resulted in the formation of the Missouri River Band and produced a self-titled, debut album in which Greg was nominated for S.P.B.G.M.A. songwriter of the year in 2012.  For the past several years, he has been spending time with family and filling in with various bands when the opportunity arises.