The bluegrass band Constant Change was formed in January of 2002. The members were hand picked from all across North Carolina, and although some are young in age, each brings with them a wealth of experience and talent to the band with many members able to play multiple instruments, and all of them doing some singing in the band.  They came together with a common goal; a desire and commitment to settle for nothing less than the very best in bluegrass sound and musicianship. Their music spans from the hard-driving sounds of traditional bluegrass, to the most simple and smooth sounds of bluegrass gospel and ballads. 

    They released their first CD in June of 2003 and won 2nd place at the 2003, and 3rd place in 2005 International SPBGMA Awards in Nashville. They each share a passion for bluegrass music, and you can tell when you see and hear them perform.  They all love bluegrass and choose to play music with one another in the band Constant Change.

Brian Aldridge - Banjo player and vocalist from Saxapahaw, NC

Born in 1981 and raised in Saxapahaw, NC, Brian grew up in a musical family. He got started on mandolin when he was 3 years of age, picking up banjo at the ripe old age of 13. His father, Mike, is a long time member of the Bass Mtn. Boys and it was with that group that Brian first played on stage. His favorites on banjo include Earl Scruggs and Jim Mills, and his picking reflects their style. Brian once claimed first prize at two fiddlers conventions back to back, playing Dear Old Dixie and Randy Lynn Rag. (His dream is to own a pre-war flathead banjo.) Constant Change marks Brian's debut with a bluegrass group and his hard-driving style and awesome backup licks will leave you wandering where he's been hiding. 

    Brian's hobbies include hunting, and picking (not in that order), and he's a natural-born mechanic. When he's not playing music, Brian can be found in Chapel Hill where he works as a service technician.  Brian has filled in with many groups, some of which are Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion, The Churchmen, and the Bass Mountain Boys.

Daniel Aldridge - Mandolin player and vocalist from Saxapahaw, NC

Born in 1985 April 30th, and Brian's brother, Daniel got started in bluegrass by listening to IIIrd Tyme out. Daniel started playing mandolin his sophomore year of highschool, when he was 15 years old. He always liked the music but, he just never took any interest in playing until recently. While Brian grew up playing music, Daniel just grew up playing.

    Constant Change was Daniel's first band, having been a former member from November 2003 through March 2004. Most recently, Daniel toured with the group Honi Deaton and Dream from March 2004 through October 2004, and with Jeannette Williams from May 2005 through September 2005. We are pleased to have Daniel back playing with us.

    Daniel's idol is Wayne Benson and his greatest influences are his Father, Bill Monroe, and many other great mandolin players.

Gary Baird - Upright Bass player and vocalist from Berea, NC 

  Born in August 1965 (the old man of the group) and raised in Berea, NC, Gary grew up in a bluegrass-loving home. While overseas in the United States Navy, he taught himself to play the guitar, listening to Seldom Scene and Country Gentlemen tapes. After returning home, he began playing the bass with a local group. Gary has performed with groups such as Straightline, Lynwood Lunsford and the Misty Valley Boys, Second Chance, New Classic Grass and many pickers throughout the region.

Clifton Preddy - Fiddle player and vocalist from Wilton, NC

Born in 1973 and raised in Wilton, NC, Clifton Preddy has been playing the fiddle since the age of three after becoming tired and unsatisfied with his plastic toy fiddle, and insisting to his parents that he wanted a "real" fiddle like the one that his Great-Uncle Emil "Dunk" Preddy played. From age three until sixteen, he took private classical violin lessons and continued to perform at various regional fiddler's conventions, festivals, State Fairs, and numerous local churches. 

    Over his musical career, Clifton has performed with such bands as: Swift Run, The Virginia Travelers, New Classic Grass, Lynwood Lunsford, New Vintage, Carolina Road, The Navy Bluegrass Band, The Jason Michael Carroll band, Steel Creek, Carolina Connection, and The Beard Brothers, and has recorded with many different artists throughout the region.  He, along with his cousin Rodney Preddy (host of the PreddyFest Bluegrass Festival) also released an all-instrumental album in 2002 titled "Instrumental Memories; Rodney & Clifton Preddy". His greatest musical influences are: the late Mr. Chubby Wise, Mark O'Connor, the Lonesome River Band, and his Great-Uncle and old-time fiddler Emil "Dunk" Preddy. He enjoys songwriting, and has been fortunate enough to perform some of his originals with Constant Change.

Dan Wells - Guitar player and vocalist from Angier, NC

Born in 1976 and raised in Big Sandy Mush, NC (near Asheville), Dan has been playing music since he was 9 years old when he started playing the fiddle. He started singing in church, where he grew to love the old hymns and gospel music. He started playing guitar when he joined the bluegrass group Carolina Road in 1999. With that group, he developed his tenor harmony and lead vocals. In 2003, Dan joined the James King Band and toured full-time with them for 8 months, on into 2004.

    Dan has what some call "the bluegrass voice". His tenor pipes provide the group with that classic sound. He brings a lot of experience and passion to the band, along with original tunes as well as a vast repertoire of traditional songs.