David Holt and the Lightning Bolts were electrifying. One of the highlights of our festival. With amazing musicianship and wonderful variety, they entertained everyone. Some of the best America has to offer. -Gstaad Country Music Festival 2002 Gstaad, Switzerland L to R: Josh Goforth, Zeb Holt, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, David Cohen Download a Hi-res Lightning Bolts Photo

David Holt
For over thirty years, David Holt has been living in the Blue Ridge Mountains collecting and performing the songs and stories of the old-time mountaineers. He has learned this treasure trove of music directly from musical greats like Fred Cockerham, Byard Ray, Grandpa Jones, Roy Acuff and the oldest person in the world, 123-year-old Susie Brunson. David is a four-time Grammy Award winner. Winning two Grammys last year with Doc Watson for their 3 CD set “Legacy.”

He is known for his folk music and storytelling recordings, his numerous programs on TNN , Folkways on PBS, Riverwalk on public radio, and for his popular concerts performed throughout the country. He was founder and director of the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College from 1975-1981. He is a three-time winner of Frets magazine readers’ poll for “best old-time banjoist.” Southern Living magazine recently featured David as a “Southerner Making a Difference.” www.davidholt.com

Laura Boosinger
Laura came to the Swannanoa Valley in 1976 as a student in the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College. She was one of David Holt’s most outstanding students and upon graduation became a full time performer of mountain music. Says Boosinger, “I became acquainted with a variety of families for whom traditional music was a natural part of their lives. My relationships with Quay and Sue Smathers, and the Luke Smathers String Band of Haywood County, became lasting friendships that I count as some of my most valuable.” Laura took David's place as Luke’s banjo player in 1984 and played in his band for the next 13 years. Luke's impact on the music of Western North Carolina became the focus of an article Laura wrote for a journal of regional culture entitled "May We All Remember Well." Her recording "Down the Road" celebrates the music of the region’s great musicians. Today, Laura Boosinger gives back the music she has gathered to the many young people she works with in schools throughout the South. www.lauraboosinger.com

Josh Goforth
He is currently attending East Tennessee State University where he is pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education. He is also very active in the world-renowned Bluegrass and Country Music Program at ETSU. He tours regularly with the bluegrass band Appalachian Trail, the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, and numerous other bands. He has decided to leave all of his career options open. He loves to perform but knows that his purpose lies in the education of others. He hopes to pursue both fields. www.joshgoforth.com

(David met Josh when he was a fourteen-year-old student in Madison County. Josh is a descendent of many of the same people David learned from when he first came to NC in 1969).

Zeb Holt
Zeb has been playing bass with his father since he was fourteen years old. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1999 and started his own company, SolidThought.com, specializing in web development for the arts. Zeb also plays reggae/funk style keyboards with various musicians and groups in the Chapel Hill area. www.solidthought.com

David Cohen
David is one of the busiest percussionists in WNC. He splits his time between studio work and live performances accompanying Celtic, jazz, swing, and now traditional mountain music. He is also the creator of the popular local cartoon, “Cohencidents.” www.cohencidents.com