Mount Zion

Russ Weeks is the founder and band leader of Mount Zion. He is the lead singer and mandolin player as well as doing the fiddle work for the group. Russ is a 30 + year veteran in the field of Bluegrass and Gospel Music. He has been a mandolin and fiddle teacher for 23 years and currently owns Weeks Music in Buffalo, MO where he does all types of musical instruction for all instruments as well as sales, repair and sound work. Russ along with his wife Skyla and son Tyler toured a 20 state region of the US in 1995 working for the Bureau of Lectures and Concert Artists Inc. He has worked with more than a dozen bands in his career ranging from Southern Gospel to Old Time Rock and Roll but his heart has always been in Bluegrass and Bluegrass/Gospel. Russ has played everything from small country churches to opening the stage for Eddie Rabbit in front of thousands. As a child he had numerous television appearances on Gary White’s Midnight Opry show, and shared the stage as a mandolin player for Mac Wiseman. He has performed on Country Music show stages across Missouri, recorded Rockabilly in The famous Sun Studios in Memphis, TN, and played fiddle on international square dance releases. Russ has worked as an instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, engineer and consultant on dozens of projects. He has been a feature multiple time in Renfro Valley KY during their annual fiddle fest. He is currently the CEO of Vintage Records, owns Weeksman Publishing, BMI, and has been a BMI songwriter since 1995. His latest accomplishment was winning the 1st place honor of the Mandolin division at the National American Heritage Festival music competition in Grove, OK.

Tyler Weeks, commonly known as Twodd, is the youngest member of Mount Zion and is certainly the most outstanding. He sings bass in a grand fashion, and plays the bass with flair. Tyler has been on stage since age 3 and is always at home in front of a crowd. He plays not only the bass but also guitar, piano, and is a fabulous drummer. His vocal ability ranges from basement to rafters and he has had numerous awards throughout his young life. At 20 years old he has performed thousands of professional stage shows, and received many top ratings in high school vocal competitions on the district and state level. Tyler is involved with Vintage Records with his dad Russ, and is a drum teacher for Weeks Music. He has worked in multiple recording studios on dozens of projects and has played theater shows and fairs with a duet partner as TNT, doing original pop ballads which he excels in as well. Tyler is a current member of Sing Sing Sing, a Musical stage show working to beneifit the Childrens Miracle Network.

Brad Edwards has spent nearly thirty years in the recording business as a producer, arranger, engineer, and musician. With more than 5,000 recording sessions to his credit, Brad has worked with just about every style of music imaginable, as well as stars ranging from Grandpa Jones to Sara Evans. He is available on a limited basis to produce and/or play on your session in addition to engineering. He owns Audio Loft recording studios in Macks Creek, MO and is truly a legend in the business. We are proud for him to play banjo with Mount Zion, however that is only one of his many talents. He is an outstanding guitarist, bassist and steel player and without a doubt has one of the best pair of ears that a man could be blessed with.

Skyla Weeks joined the band as our tenor singer when we changed banjo pickers. She was a vocal major in college and has a degree and teaching certificate for K through 12 Vocal and Instrumental. She as taught public schools and private lessons for the last 20 years and brings a refreshing look to the stage appearance of Mount Zion. Although Skyla does not usually play an instrument with the group she is an accomplished pianist and bassist as well as playing trumpet and mandolin. Her vocal ability is truly a blessing from God.

Download singles from all the Mount Zion CD's by clicking HERE

Meet the Band