"I've been using the D'Addario J57 banjo strings as long as they have been making them. They give me the clear and robust tone I need for studio and stage."

ABOUT Scott Vestal

Scott Vestal learned to play music from his grandfather Famon Self, an old-time country fiddler who showed Scott his first chords on guitar. By the age of 15, Scott was playing all over the US with TJ Rogers' family band which eventually led to an audition with Larry Sparks. In 1985, Scott joined Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, performing in the U.S., Canada, and Europe as a member of the critically acclaimed quartet. Four years and five award winning albums later, he once again struck out to broaden his musical knowledge with his own group, Livewire, spent six months touring Japan with an acoustic jazz ensemble, and had a starring role in Phyllis McBride's critically acclaimed original musical production, Cowboy Cafe.

Upon returning home from Japan, Scott moved to Nashville and began a project with David Parmley, Scott Vestal. They went on to record three award winning projects and tour the US and Canada over the next 5 years. During this time, Scott was awarded Banjo Player of the Year (1996) by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and Banjo Player of the Year (1998) by the Bluegrass Now Magazine Fan's Choice Awards. In 2006, Scott had the opportunity to record and work with rock star David Lee Roth on a media tour of all the late night and daytime talk shows as well as a concert in New York City at the Nokia Theater.

Scott is an in demand session player around Nashville, and has his own recording studio, Digital Underground, where he engineers, produces, and plays on various projects including an award winning series of instrumental recordings for Pinecastle Records, and has worked with the likes of Bill Monroe, David Lee Roth, John Jorgenson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, John Oates, and many others. Along with his busy recording and producing schedule, Scott also has his own banjo company, Stealth Banjos, which he has designed and developed over the past 34 years. In addition to being an outstanding musician, Scott is also a composer, writing many of the songs he’s released. Scott was awarded The Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass in 201, and Banjo Player of the Year by the IBMA for 2020 and 2021.