About Us

Bowles Creek Bluegrass is an East Texas band that plays traditional and old time gospel bluegrass. Our roots run as deep as the tributary, based out of New London, Texas, from which we take our name. We are sometimes referred to as “That Band with the Little Girl.”

Since the formation of the band ten years ago, Bowles Creek has had several members. The remaining original band members include Dale Stanley, mandolin; Kella Stanley, bass; and Bailee Stanley, rhythm guitar (all from Overton, Texas). Dale sings most of the lead vocals, with Kella and Bailee adding harmony vocals and occasional leads. Mike Tucker (from Longview, Texas) has been with the band for over three years as guitar player and is now playing his favorite instrument, the banjo. Klint Killion (from Rusk, Texas) is our latest member. This young man plays a fervent fiddle and some awesome guitar leads. The Lord keeps sending great Christian musicians, and it is because of His grace that we keep performing.

All members have a love for old time traditional bluegrass music filled with irresistible harmony. Many of the songs on our projects “Tell’em About Jesus” and “Cry From the Cross” are written by legends such as Ralph Stanley and Larry Sparks. Our newest project “I’ll Meet You In Heaven Someday” is rich with the gospel truth and portrays our love for God.

Though steeped in tradition, youthfulness also plays a part in the exceptional vocal talents of our youngest band member, thirteen year old, Miss Bailee Stanley, of Overton, Texas. She can sure pump up audiences with her bright smile, strong voice, and perky disposition. In 2005 she released her “Bailee Stanley—By Request” CD. This project has inspired many young children, as well as adults, to listen to this wholesome music. In October 2006, Bailee was honored to sing a duet with Larry Cordle at the Turkey Track Fall Bluegrass Festival in Waldron, Arkansas. In October 2007, she sang with Larry Cordle in Nashville, Tennessee at the Station Inn. In June 2008, Bailee was asked by Randy Kohrs to join him and his band The Lights to sing at the Overton Bluegrass Festival. Bailee is something you must see!

The Lord has graciously blessed this band with many talents and best of all; the members are enthusiastic about letting others know how the Lord is in charge of their ministry. Their stage presence is exuberant and each performance is uplifting.

	Bowles Creek 2003 From Left to Right Ray Chanler-banjo Kella Stanley-harmony, vocals, bass Bailee Stanley-vocals Dale Stanley-Lead vocals, harmony, mandolin James Mettlen- vocals, guitar
	Bowles Creek 2004 From Left to Right Ray Chanler-banjo Dale Stanley-Lead vocals, harmony, mandolin Bailee Stanley-vocals Kella Stanley-harmony, vocals, bass James Mettlen- vocals, guitar
	Bowles Creek 2005 From Left to Right Mike Tucker-guitar, harmony Bailee Stanley-guitar, vocals, harmony Dale Stanley-Lead vocals, harmony, mandolin Kella Stanley-bass, harmony, vocals Ray Chanler-banjo
	Bowles Creek 2006 From Left to Right Ray Chanler-banjo Kella Stanley-bass, harmony, vocals Dale Stanley-mandolin, lead vocals, harmony Bailee Stanley-vocals Mike Tucker-guitar, harmony
	Bowles Creek 2007 From Left to Right Ray Chanler-banjo Mike Tucker-guitar, harmony Bailee Stanley-guitar, vocals, harmony Kella Stanley-bass, harmony, vocals Dale Stanley-mandolin, lead vocals, harmony
	Bowles Creek 2008 From Left to Right Dale Stanley-mandolin, lead vocals, harmony Kella Stanley-bass, harmony, vocals Bailee Stanley-guitar, vocals, harmony Mike Tucker-guitar, harmony Ray Chanler-banjo

Bailee Stanley

Miss Bailee is the daughter of Dale and Kella Stanley. She is the youngest member of the band (thirteen years old) and is said to be the "STAR" of the show. You would have to see it to believe it.

Bailee is an Honor student at a local public school and a participant in Oral Reading and Calculating Skills in UIL competition. She was inducted into The National Junior Beta Club for her outstanding character and achievement in the West Rusk Junior High School. She has performed many singing solos in school programs, plays the flute, and is a Jr. High Twirler. Bailee enjoys a good game of softball and can pitch faster than some boys her age. She also won third in district as a long distance runner in track. You should see her shoot three pointers and dribble the basketball. (Rumor has it that she is not trying out for Freshman twirler. Instead, she is going to tryout for cheerleader.) God has blessed Bailee with multiple talent!

Bailee has been singing on stage since she was 4 yrs. old.

Bailee at the Gladewater Opry Dec. 2006

Bailee always meets new friends at the festivals.

Bailee received a new Taylor guitar for Christmas 2005

Dale and Bailee after basketball tournament.

Bailee got the crowd stirred up at the Overton Bluegrass Festival.

Bailee is a 'Daddy's Girl'!!

Kella Stanley

Kella plays a large roll in this band. Maintaining a consistant tempo and playing the bass is only a portion on how she keeps this band together. She is the booking agent, secretary, treasure, clothes designer, navigator, web page designer, and the list goes on. Kella remains busy not only with keeping Bowles Creek inline. For eleven years she was a 3rd grade school teacher West Rusk Elementary School in New London, Texas. She is now the Assistant Principal at Winona Elementary. She also is the Webmaster for the Overton Bluegrass Festival, and Argyle Bluegrass Festival websites.

It is amazing how much energy the Lord bestows to this lady. This band is fortunate to have such a persistent and organized person in our surroundings.

Kella also sings lead on a few songs during our program.

Doing the dishes in the Prowler after feeding the band at the Free State Festival in Canton, TX 2004

Kella playing that doghouse bass.

Dale, Kella, and Bailee on vacation 2006.

Kella's grandfather, Herbert Meshell on guitar and great uncle on fiddle.

Dale Stanley

This tall mandolin player is a fine friend to all. He sings most of the lead vocals and is the ring leader of the band. The Lord has blessed Dale with a loving disposition and continuous smile. Bluegrass is a genre of music that has been in Dale's family for many years. Choosing to sing gospel bluegrass seems natural and highlights Dale's task as music minister at Grace Herald Baptist Church where he is also a deacon.

When Dale is not at Weatherford International where he has been employed for over 20 years and presently the Health Safety Environmental (HSE) Supervisor for the East Texas Area, he is in the woods. Dale enjoys hunting squirrels, hogs, and other wildlife with dog he has trained. Watching a great game of Texas Longhorn football is another form of relaxation he enjoys. Dale also serves on the Overton Bluegrass Festival Committee and works hard to help promote bluegrass music in his hometown. Dale enjoys watching Bailee play sports and he is a great coach from the stands. He is an awesome Dad. He carries batons, a flute, a bucket full of softballs, and changes guitar strings.

Dale playing on stage at the Overton Bluegrass Festival.

Dale's Uncle Henry Stanley, pictured with parents, plays the mandolin and fiddle still today. Henry introduced Ray Chanler, Bowles Creek's banjo player, to Dale and Kella. Henry inspires the Stanley's to continue playing bluegrass music.

Dale with nephews Rance and Reece who also play bluegrass instruments.

Dale's grandfather, Earl Stanley played the guitar and fiddle. Grandmother, Lavern Watson Stanley played the guitar. Many bluegrass songs were played and sung while they were living.

Squirrel Hunt with 8th month old cur pup.

Dale relaxing at the Canton Free State Festival before an afternoon performance.

Mike Tucker

Mike is an awesome musician. Bowles Creek has been blessed to have this fine Christian fellow play banjo and guitar with them. He is not new to bluegrass and when it comes to performing on stage, he feels at home. Mike plays banjo for an excellent band called East Mountain Gospel Bluegrass. From time to time you might see him playing banjo on stage with the Marksmen.

This talented man can play all sorts of instruments and he uses his talents for the Lord. His wife Julie (pictured below) is also a great friend and plays electric bass for East Mountain Gospel Bluegrass. Mike and Julie are two of Bailee's favorite people. They are great friends!

Mike, Julie, and Bailee

Bailee and Mike singing country music at the Gladewater Opry. Dec. 2006

Julie Tucker

Mike and The Marksmen

East Mountain Gospel Bluegrass

Mike is the engineer of the bunch!