THE ULTIMATE GARTH BROOKS TRIBUTE BAND

Click the social media icons to connect with members of the ​UGBT band

Rich Eckhardt

Guitars / Vocals / Harmonica
Rich Eckhardt began his career with John Berry, Mel McDaniel, and Blake Shelton, but is best known as lead guitarist for the legendary Toby Keith for over 25 years. He has toured the world and shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent, Merle Haggard, ​Sammy Hagar, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

He has also appeared in four seasons of the ABC hit series, Nashville. He has been featured in numerous guitar magazines, including Guitar World, Guitar One, 20th Century Guitar, and Premier Guitar, where he also contributed as a writer. 

Billy Welch

Keyboards / Vocals
Billy Welch is a Nashville-based touring keyboardist with experience supporting professional Country artists Trace Adkins, Jake Owen, Julie Reeves, Mindy McCready, and Rushlow across national tours. Known for dynamic piano work and Hammond-style organ textures, he brings both musicality and technical precision to our show.

When not spending time with his family, he contributes to pre-production programming and select session work.

Derek Wolfford

Drums
Derek has played drums and percussion on Billboard Top 20 releases by Craig Morgan and on numerous custom sessions with A-List studio veterans. He has filled the drum chair in Led Zeppelin and Journey tributes in addition to performing with David Ball, Bo Bice, and 1980s pop artist Tiffany.

He has written for Modern Drummer Magazine and has maintained a three-decade marketing career with Pearl Drums, working with hundreds of world-class drummers and acts, including KISS, Blake Shelton, Janet Jackson, and Disturbed.

John Pearson

Bass / Vocals
John has performed with artists including Deana Carter, John Berry, Billy Dean, Suzy Bogguss, and Mel McDaniel.

​He has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry dozens of times and has lived in Nashville for more than 35 years. In addition to performing, he has composed music for companies including FedEx, Hyundai, Chase Bank, Samsung, Nissan, and the Netflix series, Outer Banks. 

Josh Byrd

Guitar / Vocals
​Josh Byrd has toured internationally with the U.S. Air Force across seven deployments, performing alongside artists such as Kid Rock, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Brad Paisley, and Diamond Rio.

He has written for Premier Guitar Magazine and has performed on hundreds of recording sessions. Josh also owns and operates Byrdsongs Studios.