DARELL SANSON

Darell is featured on banjo, mandolin and guitar.   He also sings lead, tenor and baritone vocals.  Darell’s driving attack and uncanny style of mandolin playing will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.  Audiences are amazed at how fast his fingers can move, especially on the mandolin!

Darell has enjoyed a long and varied musical career.  He’s been a part of some of the most legendary bluegrass bands, such as The Country Gentlemen, Jimmy Martin, The Sunny Mountain Boys and The Bluegrass Alliance.  Darell says that being a part of The Bluegrass Alliance has given him a new perspective on progressive bluegrass music.

Darell has also led several different groups of his own:  New Beginning;  Darell Sanson and String Sensations; and currently Safire Sun, which includes two of his beautiful and talented daughters, Yvonne and Brittney. 

Darell lights up the stage with a new dimension of high energy and excitement, delivering unforgettable performances!

YVONNE SANSON 

Yvonne is Darell’s oldest daughter.  On the rhythm guitar, she also sings lead and harmony vocals.  She began her musical career as a teenager, singing in her dad’s band, New Beginning.  Yvonne moved to Nashville in the 1990's where she worked as a singer/songwriter and landed the opportunity to co-write the Randy Travis song “America Will Always Stand”, written about the 911 tragedy.  Yvonne has written most of the tunes on Safire Sun’s debut CD.

ALLIE DIBLE

Allie possesses an angelical voice that captures people’s attention when they hear her sing.  Audiences can’t help but fall in love with Allie and her voice. With versatility and natural ability to sing any vocal part, Allie is the next generation of country singers. 

At the age of 9, she was awarded the opportunity to perform with the Knox County Choraliers, along with the legendary John Denver at the Palace Theater in Columbus, Ohio.  Allie has written two of the original tunes on Safire Sun’s debut CD and plays rhythm guitar for the band.

BRITTNEY HICKEY 

Brittney is Darell’s youngest daughter and began playing guitar at the age of 7.  By the time she was 16, she was performing in her dad’s band, Darell Sanson and String Sensations.  She has performed at not only the famed Ralph Stanley Bluegrass Festival with Judy Marshall of the legendary Marshall Family, but other national bluegrass festivals as well.  Brittney plays bass and sings backup vocals for Safire Sun.

ETHAN WHITEHAIR

At just 11 years of age, Ethan is Darell’s nephew and the youngest member of Safire Sun. When he was 3, he started playing tambourine for Darell Sanson and String Sensations.  People are amazed to see this little guy and the great timing he has!  When Ethan turned 5, Darell started teaching him guitar.  Now Ethan is playing mandolin and fiddle. 

Ethan has an amazing success story, as he was born with Goldenhar Syndrome, but he hasn't let that deter him from doing what he loves most and that is playing his guitar and performing. 

With great stage presence, Ethan has quite an ear for music and is the featured lead vocalist on “I'm the Little Man” on Safire Sun’s debut CD.