About Us
Our History
Dona Bopp and Lanier Mote began singing together in 2012. It was their "Louvin Brothers" style harmony that convinced them to sing together. Dona plays rhythm guitar and sings lead vocals, while Lanier accompanies on mandolin and guitar and sings lead vocals and harmony. Although they are both bluegrass enthusiasts, their music is also influenced by classic country and music from the rock and roll era. In 2019, Ross McQueen joined the group as its bass player.
Dona Bopp
Dona has been performing since the age of four when she used to insist that her babysitters sit there and listen to her sing. As an adult, she realized she could actually get paid for doing it. Now how great is THAT to get paid for something you love to do!
Through the years, her singing has embraced many styles of music, including oldies from the 30's through the 90's to country and bluegrass.
She began singing professionally in the early 90's and performed at local establishments, private events and public functions. One of her most memorable performances was performing at a Naval Reunion, singing a variety of songs from the thirties and forties and relating them to the history of the USS Clark. It is a memory she will cherish as she personally got to meet the surviving members who served on that ship. Since she had served in the armed forces herself, it had special meaning.
In 1994-96, she was selected to showcase her singing at the Annual International Country Music Workshop in Nashville, TN and showcased at the Opryland Hotel for Shedd Music Publishers in 1997. In 1998, Dona gave up music due to a family illness. After a 10 year absence from singing, she started writing and playing guitar again. Dona realized that music was part of who she is and needed it back in her life. So after the release of her album, "Be That Someone" in 2011, she formed The Dona Bopp Band. In 2014, she entered a songwriting contest and won an award for "Best Bluegrass Songs" by the Northwest Alabama Music Publishing Company. Dona was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2017, she was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year by The Atlanta Society of Entertainers. Dona continues her love of music and performing as lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player in The Dona Bopp Band.
Lanier Mote
Lanier, co-founder of the The Dona Bopp Band, is a lifelong resident of Covington, Georgia and has played country, bluegrass and gospel music around Covington and the state of Georgia for over 30 years. Before and after joining The Dona Bopp Band in 2012, Lanier played with a number of local bands, including The Southernaires, The Danny Potter Band and The Band of Brothers. He also formed Ramblin' Creek, an all bluegrass gospel band. A love of bluegrass and country music has kept him rooted in that tradition.
As a member of The Dona Bopp Band, he plays guitar, mandolin, and sings harmony and lead vocals. His talents and love of music have opened many doors and opportunities for the band.
In 2017, Lanier was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.
Ross McQueen
Ross has lived for many years in Locust Grove, Georgia. Playing music on stage has been a part of his life for over 40 years. He enjoys playing bluegrass, country and playing his church's contemporary praise music.
Beginning in 1978, Ross was the dobro player with Wildwood Grass. Over the years, he has played bass with The Will Boyd Band, keyboard with The City Lights Band, guitar with The Ralph Combs Show, as well as, Country Confusion and banjo with The Morris Brothers.
Along with playing bass with The Dona Bopp Band, he currently plays guitar with River's Edge and lead guitar with the Locust Grove Methodist Church Praise Band.
He has also had the pleasure of teaching young musicians how to play music, and more importantly, how to put together a band
and currently meets on Wednesdays at a local Senior Center to instruct and play with seniors still eager to learn bluegrass.
In 2018, Ross was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.