As the mandolinist and frequent lead singer for the Yonder Mountain String Band, Jeff Austin was a prominent figure in the neo-progressive bluegrass of the new millennium. A native of the Chicago suburbs -- he was born in Arlington Heights and raised in Elk Grove -- Austin began playing music during a sojourn from college. After 15 years with the band, he left in early 2014 due to creative differences and personal changes, choosing to pursue a solo career he officially launched in early 2015 with the release of the full-length Simple Truth. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine