Today we’d like to introduce you to Pierce Brunton
Hi Pierce, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began playing guitar at the age of 15, and for the first nine years of my musical journey, I practiced in my room. It wasn’t until I discovered Bluegrass music in early 2024 that I realized this was the path I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. Determined to step out of my comfort zone, I started attending open mics, festivals, and live shows in search of fellow musicians to form a Bluegrass band.
Knowing that Bluegrass isn’t the most prevalent genre in my part of California, I understood the challenge of finding talented musicians who would be interested in playing this style of music.
My future bandmates, Grant chacon (guitar, Banjo) Tim Zimlich (Bass, Fiddle), were the first musicians I met at an open mic. We quickly connected over our similar skill levels and became friends. I proposed the idea of starting a band, and they were enthusiastic about it. Little did we know how quickly everything would come together.
A few weeks later, I attended a Bluegrass festival in Long Beach. While I was playing guitar in a field with an older gentleman, a large guy named Max Dotts (Mandolin) approached me. He recognized our shared age and skill level and asked if he could join in. After just 15 minutes of playing together, we both agreed that we wanted to start a band.
I promptly introduced Max to Grant and Tim, and the chemistry between us was instant. We had an absolute blast jamming together and realized we had something special.
Since then, we have learned, grown, and transformed our group, MuddyMountainWest, into a full-time gigging band, performing shows throughout Orange County and North San Diego wherever we can find gigs. The most exciting part is that we’ve only been doing this for five months, and some of the band members have been playing Bluegrass music for less than a year. This is just the beginning of our journey, and we are thrilled to see where it leads us. You won’t find another group enjoying this journey as much as we are!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey hasn’t been smooth, and I think anyone who has ever tried to start a band would agree.
First, there are the logistics. We all live quite a distance from one another: Max is in Vista, I’m in Costa Mesa, Grant is in Brea, and Tim is in Chino. Balancing our everyday lives and schedules while finding time to rehearse and play shows has been a continuous challenge.
We also face difficulties in securing gigs. Even when we do land a show, getting people to attend can be quite a hurdle. How do you convince someone to take time out of their busy lives to see a band they’ve never heard of, playing a genre of music they may not be familiar with?
In today’s world, where everything seems to revolve around the internet, it’s clear that those who succeed in this industry often have a strong understanding of self-marketing on social media. Unfortunately, we aren’t particularly skilled in that area. However, we are committed to working hard and learning as much as we can to promote ourselves and create content that resonates with audiences.
Another challenge we’ve encountered—one I never anticipated—has been ensuring that we can project our sound effectively during live shows. Since Bluegrass relies solely on acoustic instruments, it can be difficult to be heard, whether we’re playing for 300 people or even just 20. It has required a significant investment in gear, a lot of trial and error, and a steep learning curve to reach a point where we can be heard clearly on stage.
These are just a few examples of the obstacles we’ve faced along the way. I could list challenges for days if given the chance. However, despite all the difficulties, we remain persistent in finding solutions and improving every day. Starting a band is not easy, and it requires considerable sacrifice if you want to achieve success. But at the end of the day, we all absolutely love playing this music, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Bluegrass guitar player, my passion lies in bringing the rich traditions of this genre to life while also infusing my own unique style into the music. My specialization revolves around fingerpicking techniques and rhythmic strumming patterns that are quintessential to Bluegrass. I focus on creating a sound that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre.
What I’m most proud of is the journey I’ve undertaken with my band, MuddyMountainWest. In just a few short months, we’ve transformed from a group of friends jamming together into a full-time gigging band, bringing our love for Bluegrass to audiences across Orange County and North San Diego. I take great pride in our ability to connect with our audience, creating an engaging and enjoyable experience through our performances.
What sets me apart from others is my dedication to collaboration and community within the Bluegrass scene. I believe that music is about connection—both with fellow musicians and with our audience. I actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other artists, participate in local festivals, and engage with the Bluegrass community. This not only enhances my playing but also enriches the overall experience for everyone involved.
In addition, my commitment to continuous learning and improvement drives me to explore new techniques and styles within Bluegrass. I’m always striving to grow as a musician, which I believe adds depth and freshness to our performances. Ultimately, it’s my passion for the music, my collaborative spirit, and my dedication to growth that define my work as a Bluegrass guitar player.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’re interested in collaborating, supporting, or working with us, feel free to reach out! You can send us a message on Instagram at @muddymountainwest or connect with us on Facebook at @muddymountainwest.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: MuddyMountainWest
- Facebook: MuddyMountainWest
- Other: MuddyMountainWest@gmail.com
