Full Steam Bluegrass is an exciting collective of award-winning youth musicians aged 14 and under that come together from across several states to perform the music they love best, bluegrass! The original players all met at the International Bluegrass Music Awards' Kids on Bluegrass program in 2024 and came together as a band in 2025 to compete at the SPBGMA band competition in Nashville, TN. Since then they have graced the stages, wowed the crowds, and energized the jam scenes of Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival, The IBMAs, The Station Inn, and Woodsongs Kids. They take turns singing lead and all support with harmonies and fire-y instrumentals to deliver a stage show beyond their young years. On banjo is Izaak Atlas Schwartz (14) from Bartonsville, PA; on bass, Jerry Ankney, Jr. (13) from Nashville, TN; on fiddle, is Mollie Longenecker (13) of Lebanon, PA; on guitar is Rita Perloff (13) from Oxford, PA, and last but not least holding down the chop on mandolin, is Orson Cornett (14) from Boone, NC. Full Steam is often introduced as "The Future of Bluegrass", a title they are proud to honor as they look to continue the music and traditions of their heroes and fill their shoes.
