She’s beautiful and she sings beautifully so don’t be surprised at some point in the future if a new star rises somewhere in Nashville with Stacy Grubb’s name written on it.
Growing up in Premier, there wasn’t a time when Johnston-Grubb can’t remember singing. Long before her feet could even touch the floor, her father Alan sat her and her sisters, Jessie and Becky, down at an old player piano and together they sang hymns or the classics of such country greats as Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Mel Street and anyone else they happened to fancy.
As a member of “Joy Bells” singing group at Mt. Top Christian School, Grubb made her musical debut at the age of five. During her teen years, she perfected her style by wiling away the hours in her room doing karaoke and dreaming of becoming the polished performer she has now become at the tender age of 28.
“Dad played the guitar. I sang lead and Jessie sang harmony. Singing was always a huge part of what we did,” Grubb said. “Whether it was a birthday party, holiday or some kind of celebration, we always started out with a prayer and a song.”
Having inherited her father’s talent and her mother Wilma’s practice-makes-perfect pragmatism, Grubb has developed a style all her own. Just what that style is, she says, is open for discussion.
“It’s difficult to define my style,” Grubb says. “You tell me and we’ll both know. I’m too bluegrass to be called country and too country to be called bluegrass. Some might call it Americana. It’s definitely rooted in bluegrass.”
Singing in her father’s South 52 Band while pregnant, Grubb developed the habit of rubbing her tummy while on stage.
“I was seven months pregnant and living in Knoxville when I came home to sing “Muddy Water” with Dad. I’d sing and Elijah would start kicking when the music started. I’d have to rub my belly. After a while, the habit stuck. Now I catch myself still doing it.”
Now that baby Elijah has arrived, Grubb and her attorney husband Jason are busy much of the time promoting her career.
“It was just a perfect fit. I dated Jason for four years and got married shortly before my 18th birthday. After under-grad school, Jason decided to go to law school so he could be my manager.
“Elijah is the perfect fit for us. He loves music too and travels well. Everything just fell into place. I see everything that has happened to me as being a part of God’s plan for me. God continues to place wonderful people in my life.”
One of those recent “wonderful people” turned out to be her father’s old musician friend, turned record producer Ronnie Cochran. During a visit with him in Nashville, Cochran ended up offering his services and before long assembled top of the line musicians to play on Grubb’s first CD, “Hurricane”. The CD is currently being pressed and will be available via FYE on the Internet soon. If it sells well, it will also be available in stores.
“I’m blessed to have the royalty of Nashville playing on my debut release,” Grubb said. “I wrote nine of the songs; Dad wrote two and Gary Dunham wrote one. I was just blown away when I saw what they did with them.”
Grubb describes her debut CD as “sad lyrics with happy tracks.”
“I’ve always love tear jerkers, but I’ve learned that not everyone appreciates them. To me, a sad song at its best will make you feel your very worst and tear your heart out.”

Now that she has her first CD on its way, Grubb is busy thinking about what she’ll sing on her second one. She is currently in the process of putting together a band and is pleased with the high caliber guitar player, fiddler and mandolin player who have joined her. Now all she needs is a banjo player, bass guitarist and dobro player.
Speaking of high caliber musicians, the “Nashville royalty” who played on her CD included Rick Ickes on dobro, Ron Black on banjo, Aubrie Haynie on fiddle and mandolin and Brent Mason on electric guitar. Palley and Vincent sang harmony.

“All of the ones who worked with me on the CD are huge in the music world,” Grub smiles.
Grubb will be performing some of the songs from her “Hurricane” CD when she opens for the Grammy award winning Peasall Sisters at the Welch Armory Saturday evening
Music fans may attend the concert and receive a barbecue dinner for free by volunteering for Make McDowell Proud Day Saturday. To participate, call 304-436-2894 and register before Friday afternoon.
Those unable to participate may still attend the barbecue dinner and concert, but will be charged admission at the door.
Grubb, who now resides in Beaver, WV, is excited about opening for the Peasall Sisters and notes that she will be singing plenty of favorites and crowd pleasers.
“I look forward to seeing old friends and to performing at home,” she says.

FINALIZING PLANS FOR MAKE MCDOWELL PROUD - The McDowell Solid Waste Authority Board and audience members look on as Aid for the World volunteer Nathan Plowman explains to team captains the logistics involved in implementing Make McDowell Proud Cleanup Day this Saturday, April 25. Currently, about 400 volunteers are involved in the effort.
Those who volunteer in Make McDowell Proud will be treated to a free barbecue dinner and concert by Stacy Grubb and the Grammy award winning Peasall Sisters at the Welch Armory following the event. Those who registered before the April 10 deadline will also receive a free T-shirt.
To volunteer for Make McDowell Proud, call 436-2894 as soon as possible. (Photo by Cathy Patton)