Hot Strings

Carson Park
Carson showed interest in playing the fiddle at age 6. The family attended many Bluegrass festivals in the summer months, so it was a pretty natural progression. He won several fiddling contests locally and regionally in his early years. Carson won the Colorado State Fiddling Championship,(open division),in 1999 at age 12. His playing style is self learned, intuitive, and exciting. He is an avid outdoorsman, biking, hiking, skiing, fly fishing, and rock climbing. And he is pretty handy with a hacky sack.

Jared Payne
Jared is Carson's cousin, and he began his guitar playing at age 9. Jared is a "technician" on the guitar. His early interest in Bluegrass great Tony Rice can be recognized in his technique more than in his playing style. Jared continues to develop his own inventive hot licks with considerable influence from the stylings of Pat Flynn and David Grier. With an ever expanding bag of tricks, Jared appeals to music lovers of all genres. Jared also does his share of singing both lead and harmony parts. He loves mountain biking, backpacking, rock climbing and fly fishing.

Josiah Payne
Josiah is Jared's brother and Carson's cousin. He started playing his mandolin at age 11. Josiah truly feels the music as he plays, anyone who has seen the Hot Strings will attest to that. He has a free flowing style that was developed through many hours of "wood shedding" in his room. Influential players include, Sam Bush, David Grisman, and Chris Thile. Josiah also plays very intuitively and puts a lot of feeling into his playing. Josiah won the Colorado State Mandolin Championship in 1999, and he won the prestigious Walnut Valley Mandolin Championship in Winfield, Ks. in Sept. 2000. Josiah is an avid Telemark skier, and backpacker, and he enjoys fly fishing.

Lech Usinowicz
Lech, is the newest member of the band, joining in the Summer of 2004. He replaces the boys dad, and uncle Dan Park on the “Big String”. Lech grew up not far from the Hot Strings hometown of Pagosa Springs, Co. in Durango, Co. He has been playing the upright bass since age 10. Lech too has won many awards through his years of playing. He is classically trained, and plays with the San Juan Symphony Orchestra. His feel for the instrument adds yet another dimension to the Hot Strings Bluegrass/Newgrass show.