Member Profile

Brian Arrowood — Fiddler / Violinist / Multi-Instrumentalist

Country music is often established through a sense of “family tradition.” This deep-rooted awareness of musical heritage holds especially true for master fiddler Brian Arrowood. Growing up in the foothills region of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Brian Arrowood played music alongside his cousin Andy and his grandfather Paul Birchfield, better known as “Grampsy.” With Brian on fiddle, Andy on mandolin, and Grampsy on guitar, people knew to call “The Mountain Musicians” if they were in need of some good ole time toe-tappin’ music. Brian developed these musical roots deep in the Appalachian soil and now shares his talents with audiences on some of the most impressive stages a musician could hope to play.

Born in Asheville, Brian Arrowood grew up not far from there in the small town of Marion, North Carolina. Under the guidance of Grampsy, Brian competed at fiddlers conventions throughout the Southeast. He first won top title in a competition while participating in a contest in Mooresville, North Carolina and went on to earn additional titles of public recognition, including Fiddler of the Festival at Union Grove and later the three-time Georgia Mountain Fiddle King in Hiawassee. While Brian gained many well-deserved accolades for his fiddle playing, his musical skills are quite diverse. His training in the Suzuki Violin Method proved to be helpful while performing in the symphony at the Governor’s School of North Carolina in 1997. Brian’s improvisational techniques were required when he became the first player of a stringed instrument in the East Carolina University Jazz Ensemble A. In addition to the violin, Brian plays mandolin and acoustic guitar, abilities he demonstrates regularly while on tour.

Brian’s continued focus on musical growth throughout his high school and college years eventually led him to a professional music career starting at Dollywood. Spending several years in Pigeon Forge, Brian performed at popular shows such as Country Tonite Theatre and the Ole Smokey Hoedown. During this time, Brian also began recording sessions at the well-known Big Mama’s recording studio, and his very own home studio would later provide him the workspace to continue this contribution for over nine years. The many recordings and experiences gained through Chartbuster have only further demonstrated Brian’s ability to play a diverse set of musical genres.

A move to Nashville in 2004 offered new opportunities, and within months he was touring with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Billy Dean. The Wrangler Tour with Billy Dean and Craig Morgan gave Brian the chance to perform at fairs and festivals across the country, including a memorable experience in Alaska. This tour also allowed Brian the honor to play his fiddle for audiences of the Grand Ole Opry and share the stage in a duel of fiddles alongside icon Charlie Daniels.

In 2008, Brian embraced a chance to tour with fellow North Carolinian Matt Stillwell. Together, Brian and Matt would take part in the Academy of Country Music Awards and open for major acts such as Darius Rucker and Alan Jackson. 2010 marked the opportunity for Brian to begin touring with country music superstar Travis Tritt, and a mere two years later, Brian began providing fly-on entertaining services for Carnival Cruise Lines where he frequently found himself onboard ships headed towards the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico. In 2016, Brian was presented with another honor of performing several shows with longtime singer and musician of the legendary Eagles, Timothy B. Schmit.

In 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, Brian was invited to record fiddle for Set in Stone, the first album in nearly 15 years from multi-platinum country artist Travis Tritt. The project debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, with the single “Smoke in a Bar” praised for its authenticity and timeless country feel.

Most recently, in 2025, Brian joined Travis Tritt for a special moment at the CMA Fest in Nashville. On the 25th anniversary of “Great Day to Be Alive,” Jason Aldean welcomed Tritt to the stage at Nissan Stadium. Before a packed stadium crowd and a worldwide audience, Brian’s fiddle helped bring the iconic anthem to life — a performance that honored its legacy as one of country music’s most enduring crossover hits.

Beyond the stage, Brian continues to honor the musical traditions that shaped him through The Fiddle Canon Project — a personal and ongoing exploration of the stories, roots, and lineages behind America’s fiddle tunes. Growing up playing alongside his family, Brian learned that every tune carried a history of its own, and this project is his way of preserving those connections. The Canon reflects his lifelong belief that music isn’t just played — it’s inherited, shared, and carried forward one generation at a time.

In addition to The Fiddle Canon Project, Brian shares essays and reflections through his Reflections series at www.brianarrowood.org, exploring the intersections of tradition, technology, and creativity. His writings examine how heritage and innovation continue to shape modern musical expression — where memory meets imagination, and the music continues.

Looking ahead, you can catch Travis Tritt, Brian, and the Country Club Band at festivals, theaters, and venues across the United States, keeping the music alive on stages both big and small.

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“Because every tune has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.”

© 2025 Brian Arrowood. All Rights Reserved.

The Fiddle Canon Project and all related materials—including tune histories, essays, and lineage charts—are original research by the author. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, or distributed without written permission. Contact info@brianarrowood.com for permissions or collaboration inquiries.