Bios
BEN PARKER
Banjo, Vocals
Benjamin Russell Parker grew up in Williamsburg and McKee, Kentucky and still makes his home in Williamsburg today.
Ben started playing music at age 19, being heavily influenced by Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley and Dave Evans. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ben plays Banjo, Guitar and Fiddle.
Before Tidalwave Road was born, he was a proud member of the ‘Colonel’ Larry Fuller Band. Fuller was a 40-year veteran musician and beloved Kentucky Colonel who was adored far and wide by his fans and sadly passed in 2007.
As a founding member of Tidalwave Road, Ben Parker brings his unique Banjo and vocal stylings to the band along with his good humor. He is a professional Barber by day and is happily married to his lovely wife Trish, with whom he has two children, Cole and Landenn.
Ben also loves to kayak, ride ATV’s, and try to build fiddles.
DANIEL PARKER
Bass
Daniel Parker grew up in Corbin, Kentucky and still makes his home in Corbin today.
Daniel started playing music later in life at age 31, and enjoys a wide range of music from Metallica to John Prine. His favorite all-time Bluegrass artist is Tim O’Brien. Daniel is the backbone to the hard-driving Tidalwave sound with his rock solid bass skills.
He manufactures custom cutting tools by day and enjoys drawing and spending time with the love of his life and their poodle that sleeps between them every night.
ROBERT SULFRIDGE
Guitar
Robert Sulfridge grew up in Whitley County, Kentucky and makes his home in Williamsburg, Kentucky today.
Robert started playing music at 6 years old, and was heavily influenced by a diverse list of players including Tony Rice, Wyatt Rice, Cody Kilby, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Carlos Santana, BB King and Mike Riddle. He is a multi-instrumentalist, fluent in Guitar, Mandolin and Piano. Robert is also the sound technician for the band, their annual bluegrass festival, and other events. His open mind and creative vision lend a hand in pushing the boundaries of traditional bluegrass for the band on song selection for recording and stage.
By day, Robert is Vice President of Die Casting Company and also loves camping, attending live music events, ‘Mom & Pop’ coffee shops, all with his wife and best friend, Jessica. Robert and Jessica have two ‘fur-children,’ Moose, a Saint Bernard, and Max, a Bernese Mountain Dog.
LARRY NORFLEET
Mandolin, Vocals
Larry Norfleet’s journey in bluegrass music is rooted in tradition, family, and a lifelong passion for the craft. Born in Kokomo, Indiana, and raised in Nancy, Kentucky, Larry’s musical foundation was built in the heart of bluegrass country, where his earliest influences came from the jam sessions hosted in his family home.
It was there, surrounded by music, that Larry first picked up the guitar. After returning to Kokomo at age 12, his musical path took a defining turn when he discovered the mandolin—much like the story of Bill Monroe, Larry found his place on the instrument when other roles in the family band were already filled. What began as circumstance quickly became calling.
In 1985, Larry made his professional debut as a mandolin player with Bluegrass Messengers, launching a career that would see him perform with respected regional acts including Ray Scalf and the Clay County Travelers, Lum Patton and the Half Mountain Boys, and The Shenandoah Valley Boys. His dedication to the music and its traditions remained constant as he later helped form Branded Bluegrass, a family band that carried his musical legacy forward. After years of performing with the group, Larry proudly passed the mandolin torch to his son, Tristen, continuing a generational tradition of bluegrass excellence.
Larry’s path to Tidalwave Road reflects both timing and fate. As he shares, “Everything happens for a reason and is by design. It was no mistake the way it all came together.” A call from Producer, banjo player and pal, Steve Wilson to fill in for a collaborative performance in 2025 placed Larry alongside members of the band, and the chemistry was immediate. When the opportunity arose to step into the role full-time, Larry embraced the challenge with humility and respect for those who came before him.
Now stepping in as mandolinist for Tidalwave Road, Larry brings decades of experience, a deep reverence for bluegrass tradition, and a genuine love for performing. “Music and being on stage is my happy place,” he says. “I’m truly looking forward to this opportunity.”
With his roots firmly planted and his passion as strong as ever, Larry Norfleet continues to carry the spirit of bluegrass forward—one note at a time.