LONG WAY HOME BLUEGRASS BAND
Long Way Home Bluegrass Band is a unique international group with members from Germany, The Netherlands, and the United States. Currently based in The Netherlands and Germany, the band showcases both traditional and original repertoire and features Kylie Kay Anderson (mandolin), Owen Schinkel (dobro), Katja Grabe (bass), Lukas Grabe (banjo), and Paul Ahrend (guitar).
Kylie Kay Anderson, Mandolin
is originally from Utah, USA. Her dad taught her to play her first guitar chords at age 9 and she was introduced to bluegrass mandolin at age 13. Growing up, Kylie studied mandolin with one of the most respected bluegrass teachers in the Western US and stayed busy writing music and performing. Eventually, Kylie’s passion for music led her to study music at the university level, including studies in Music Therapy at Utah State University and in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University. Kylie’s music journey has continued to expand over recent years, including performing opportunities across the United States and Europe.
Owen Schinkel, Dorbo
is originally from Drenthe, The Netherlands. Soon after first encountering traditional bluegrass music in 2013, Owen picked up the Dobro and hasn’t put it down since. At the beginning of 2017 Owen left the Netherlands to study in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies Program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. While in Tennessee, Owen gained an impressive education in bluegrass and country music, and was mentored by some of the finest musicians in the business. In addition to the Dobro, Owen is a knowledgeable guitar player, and has become a skilled sound engineer. More information on Owen can be found on his personal website.
Katja Grabe, bass
Growing up in northern Germany Katja was surrounded by country music since she was born. Her steel guitar playing father Erwin Wilken toured with his band Kentucky Five over several decades and had a great influence on his daughters love for traditional American music. Mainly Katja found her passion for singing and started to play rhythm guitar to complement it. The first time she found a path to the electric bass was in her Teenage Rockband. But going back to a straight and simple alternate bass for Bluegrass and Country just gives her peace of mind and good childhood memories. She played and plays in different configurations on shows in Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ireland and the United States.
Lukas Grabe, Banjo
Lukas Grabe, from Leer, northern Germany started playing the banjo at the age of 14. He has been member of the Heiko Ahrend Bluegrass Band since 2015. Since winter of 2018 he is part of the international band King Springs Road, where he also first met and became friends with Owen and Kylie. Major influences on his playing are JD Crowe, Earl Scruggs, Terry Baucom and Ron Stewart.
Paul ahrend, Guitar
Paul Ahrend grew up in Leer, northern Germany, and since his childhood was surrounded by Bluegrass music. Gathering first stage experience as part of different rock formations in his early teens he soon discovered his love for more traditional sounds and joined his father Hendrik and uncle Heiko on bass with the Heiko Ahrend Bluegrass Band. Both of them had been playing with numerous Bluegrass bands in Europe the US since the eighties. With Guitar being Pauls primary instrument he likes singing the typical Bluegrass repertoire being inspired by greats like Clarence White and Tony Rice, but also enjoys more folk oriented songs. He played his debut with the Long Way Home Bluegrass Band in the fall of 2024.