Travers Chandler was born in Richmond, VA and grew up most of his childhood in a trailer park, which obviously affected his musical outlook. He started his musical journey as a child, becoming a student of the traditional music that his father loved so much. His influences were men of little fortune but much musical soul: Charlie Moore, Red Allen, Buzz Busby, Frank Wakefield, Jimmy Martin, Carter Stanley, The Bowes Brothers and Walter Hensley & Dee Gunter.
Travers has become a respected touring sideman, working for such bands as The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show, The James King Band, The Bluegrass Brothers, Gary Brewer and The Kentucky Ramblers,The Gillis Brothers, Lynwood Lunsford and The Misty Valley Boys, and has filled in with countless groups including The Steep Canyon Rangers, and has spent three years with Rounder recording artists Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, culminating in a 2009 IBMA award for Song of The Year.
Travers sings all parts with the band and is best known for being one of the few young mandolinists in bluegrass who plays in the traditional style. Danny Paisley has deemed him the "king of tremolo" while James King called him "one of the best traditional musicians in bluegrass." Bluegrass Unlimited compared him to no less than the great Dudley Connell. Travers has also taken top honors in Mandolin at the Mt Airy Fiddler's Convention, Allegheny Fiddlers Convention in Sparta NC, and the biggest of all The Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax Virginia.
Travers has made it his life's work to preserve the legacies of his heroes while simultaneously creating new sounds and new music. His old school approach includes not having a setlist, and constantly adapting the show to the interest of the audience. His genial, often witty and sarcastic stage patter and MC work entertains the crowd while moving the show along at a fast pace.
Travers resides in Galax, Virginia, in the heart of traditional American music.
