About the band…
Band Bio:
Shannon Bielski and Moonlight Drive delivers hard-driving instrumentals paired with heartfelt, thoughtfully crafted original songs. Their music blends traditional bluegrass foundations with progressive elements, showcasing tight ensemble playing, expressive solos, and rich vocal arrangements. The band’s songwriting draws from personal experience and classic bluegrass storytelling, creating material that feels both timeless and fresh.
Formed in 2018, Moonlight Drive features Shannon Bielski on vocals, Jack Dunlap on guitar, Rob Benzing on banjo, and Cody Brown on bass. Known for their dynamic live performances, the band brings high energy, musical precision, and genuine connection to the stage, captivating audiences at festivals, concert halls, and intimate venues alike.
Moonlight Drive has opened for renowned artists including The Seldom Scene, The Traveling McCourys, The Lonesome River Band, Danny Paisley and Southern Grass, and Ronnie Bowman. Praised by Bluegrass Unlimited as “something special,” Shannon Bielski and Moonlight Drive continues to build momentum as a compelling voice in modern bluegrass.
Individual Bios:
Shannon Bielski
is the powerhouse lead vocalist and accomplished fiddle player you’ve been waiting for. She began playing violin at the age of eight and quickly developed a natural affinity for singing, participating in school and All-County choruses throughout her youth. At thirteen, Shannon began learning bluegrass fiddle, where her classical violin background helped her transition seamlessly into the aural traditions of Appalachian music.
By fifteen, Shannon was performing with The Zekiah Swamp Cats, a Southern Maryland bluegrass band organized and led by her father, banjo player Brian Bielski. The band went on to record an album at Patuxent Records titled Driftin’ by Five. Building on years of performance experience and a studio album under her belt, Shannon earned a Public Performance Scholarship to attend East Tennessee State University, where she honed her craft in the Bluegrass, Country, and Old-Time Music Program.
In 2017, Shannon returned to the Washington, D.C. area to be closer to family and reconnect with her roots. The name and formation of her band, Shannon Bielski & Moonlight Drive, were inspired by her final homeward drive from Tennessee, reflecting her view of the moonlit mountains of Virginia along the way.
The band first gained widespread recognition after winning first place in the 2018 DCBU Mid-Atlantic Bluegrass Band Competition. Shannon has also been recognized for her songwriting, earning first place in the 2018 Deer Creek Fiddler’s Convention Songwriting Contest. Since releasing their debut album, Shannon Bielski & Moonlight Drive have opened for notable artists at respected venues throughout the region.
Rob Benzing
Rob has been featured in respected publications such as Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Unlimited for his distinctive, powerful, and highly musical banjo playing. Based in Harpers Ferry, WV, he began his career as a traditional bluegrass banjo player, quickly earning a reputation as a rock-solid picker with a deep respect for the music’s roots. As his career developed, Rob expanded beyond traditional bluegrass into other forms of traditional music, while also exploring music production and broader creative work.
Rob began playing the banjo at the age of eight, immersed early on in classic bluegrass sounds. Influenced by foundational artists such as Reno & Smiley, Flatt & Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers, he developed a strong traditional approach marked by drive, tone, and timing. Over time, his playing evolved to incorporate more modern influences, drawing inspiration from banjo innovators including J.D. Crowe, Béla Fleck, and Scott Vestal, helping him shape a style that balances tradition with forward-looking creativity.
In 2017, Rob released his self-titled debut album on Patuxent Records, a project that highlighted both his versatility and his connection to the broader bluegrass community. The album features guest appearances from notable musicians Danny Knicely, Mark Schatz, and Patrick McAvinue, and stands as a defining statement of Rob’s musical voice.
Rob continues to record on numerous professional projects and is known for his versatility and musicianship.
Jack Dunlap
A skilled mandolinist and guitarist, Jack Dunlap is a nationally recognized musician currently holding the guitar position with Grammy-nominated and IBMA-awarded bluegrass band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen.
While rooted in bluegrass, Jack’s musical voice draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz, swing, blues, rock, country, and Eastern Indian folk traditions.
As an apprentice in the Virginia Folklife Program, Jack studied under mandolin legend Danny Knicely, with whom he recorded Chop, Shred & Split – A Mandolin Player’s Apprenticeship. The album was awarded Best Bluegrass Album of the Year by the Washington Area Music Awards.
Jack discovered the mandolin at age 12 and soon added guitar to his repertoire. His real education came from countless jam sessions and festivals across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, where he immersed himself in regional music traditions. At 19, Jack co-founded Bud’s Collective, quickly gaining attention for his fiery mandolin solos and dynamic stage presence. In January 2018, Jack launched the Jack Dunlap Band, collaborating with longtime musical partner Jacob Bly and drummer Randall Witherspoon. During the 2020 shutdowns, Jack entered a prolific creative period, recording his solo album The Isolation Sessions. This album reached No. 1 on the Airplay Direct Charts. In 2021, Jack formed Dunlap & Mabe, stepping forward as lead vocalist and guitarist and earning multiple appearances on Bluegrass Today’s “Grassicana” chart. In 2024, Jack joined one of bluegrass music’s top touring acts, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen.
Cody Brown
Cody Brown is known for his innovative yet rock-solid upright bass playing. He began playing bass at a young age through school music programs, developing a strong musical foundation that would shape his versatile approach to the instrument.
As a teenager, Cody gained early professional experience touring overseas with Tom Mindte and his band, The Patuxent Partners, an opportunity that helped refine his musicianship and stage presence. His playing draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz and brass band traditions, giving his bass work both rhythmic drive and melodic depth.
Cody gained broader recognition performing with Lonesome Highway, followed by Bud’s Collective, a Virginia-based band led by Buddy Dunlap alongside his brother, Jack Dunlap. He currently performs with internationally recognized bluegrass band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, continuing to build a reputation as a dependable and creative bassist.