Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo by Kristen Ralph

Tim Shelton says he got into music late in life.

Or at least later than many other professional musicians he knows.

"Didn't sing a note in front of a soul till I was 18," he laughs.

That's when he started playing and singing in church. About 10 years later, Shelton formed the Gospel bluegrass band NewFound Road. Today, Shelton considers the group bluegrass with a penchant for stripped down acoustic music that doesn't necessarily lean toward any genre.

NewFound Road tailors its performances to the crowds, and the band's Saturday night show at Everett Brothers Music Barn in Suwanee will be no exception.

"We perform based on the venue," Shelton said. "At Everetts, that's a pretty traditional bluegrass crowd."

While traditional bluegrass songs -- simple music with traditional chord progressions that tells a story -- will make up most of the band's set list, NewFound Road will include a few contemporary bluegrass numbers and, hearkening back to its roots, a few Gospel songs.

NewFound Road's varied music sets, which even include occasional cover songs from the '70s pop and rock era, is a small reflection of the band members' own varied musical tastes.

"We like everything," Shelton said. "Between the guys in the band we listen to just about every kind of music you can find. In my CD player right now I've got Michael Buble live at Madison Square Garden. Our tastes are all over the map and I think a little of that carries over into our shows."

Saturday's show at Everett Brothers Music Barn will open with the Everett Brothers Band taking the stage at 8 p.m., followed by the guys of NewFound Road. Gwinnett residents are invited to arrive early to get a seat.

"It's always packed (and) it's just a cool little room," Shelton said. "It is absolutely one of the most fun places we play across the country. They're on your side as soon as you go in there."