Shaye Smith
The group’s owner, manager, and alto singer, Shaye Smith is the granddaughter of the Gang’s original alto, Anna Carter Gordon Davis, and Howard Gordon, who was the group’s guitarist for many years. Shaye was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Baton Rouge, LA. She is married to Andy Smith, and they make their home in Hertford, NC. They have three children, Ben, Noah, and Chloe.
Shaye holds two Bachelor’s degrees in music (Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting), and she helps to arrange many of the Chuck Wagon Gang’s songs. Her background in musicals, operas, and choral and theater projects makes the stage a place of comfort and familiarity.
When Shaye first joined the Chuck Wagon Gang in 1993, she sang soprano alongside her great-Uncle Roy Carter. Leading the Chuck Wagon Gang allows her to continue the legacy her grandmother and family began over eighty years ago.
Melissa Kemper
Soprano Melissa Kemper is a native of Groveton, TX, and she still resides there today, with her husband, Jamie, and children Weston, Brandon, and Alysse. Melissa sang soprano with the Chuck Wagon Gang between 2001 and 2006, then left the group to be with her children during their formative years. She re-joined the quartet in 2015.
“I am very happy that God has brought me back into the group after all these years,” she says. “I am truly blessed.”
Josh Garner
For over 25 years, Josh Garner has been a staple in the world of Gospel music ministry. Having been the lead singer for such legendary groups like the Florida Boys, the Blackwood Quartet, and the Dixie Melody Boys, Josh has ministered in all 48 continental states, every province of Canada, and several Central American countries. Garner has been featured on the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos, the National Quartet Convention, the Jubilee Conferences, the Grand Ole Opry, and Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid among countless other major events.
With a growing family, Josh decided to take a sabbatical from full time performing and focused his sights on ministering in the local east Tennessee and southwest Virginia areas. However, the opportunity to sing tenor for the most iconic name in all of Gospel music proved to be too difficult to resist and Josh is humbled and honored to join the historic ranks of the Chuck Wagon Gang. Josh’s amazing musical versatility and good, clean humor are a very welcome addition to the Gang. Josh and Alison Garner and their precious daughters, Olivia and Caroline, reside in the appropriately named town of Chuckey, TN.
Nick Poe
At age 13, Nick Poe began his musical career by taking banjo lessons with his grandpa. After a year of banjo, Nick decided to branch out and began playing guitar. He started out playing at his local church then became interested in bluegrass, old time, and traditional country music. At the age of 15, he joined a local bluegrass band, Firebox, and traveled with them for nearly 15 years. He has also been a guitar player for Philip Steinmetz and the Sunny Tennesseans since 2016 and for David Davis and the Warrior River Boys since 2022. Nick was born and raised near Effingham, IL and continues to reside in his hometown. His daughter, Rosalie Maybelle Poe, is his biggest fan.
“In my opinion, there are three main staples for early recorded country music: The Carter Family, The Stoneman Family, and The Chuck Wagon Gang. It is a great honor to perform and travel with such an extraordinary group of musicians”
Cody Shaneyfelt
Cody plays upright bass for the Chuck Wagon Gang and comes from Gadsden, AL where he resides with his wife Heather, and their son, Bryson.
Cody will tell you that his life revolves around ministry, family and music. He has had the opportunity to spend much time on different stages doing what he loves ministering in word and through many different avenues of music. Having had the opportunity to play various other instruments and sing for his family's group as well as other groups, choirs, and many other musical events, he is excited and honored to be able to share the stage with CWG and is excited about what the future will bring.
Penny Shelnut
Penny Shelnut is no stranger to CWG fans. She sang alto for the gang for a couple years, beginning in 2007, and is now the groups exclusive booking agent. "My husband and I were praying for God to open a door for something I enjoyed doing but would provide the flexibility to raise our children. Within a few weeks, Shaye asked if I'd be interested in handling the booking for the group. I feel blessed to be able to help such a legacy continue."
Penny is married to her best friend Randy Shelnut, Jr. (Scoot) and are blessed with three children, Blake, Lauren, and Drew.
Justin Owens
Justin Owens is the Social Media Manager for the Chuck Wagon Gang. He creates, publishes, and controls the content on the Gang's Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages, as well as contributing some content to the Gang's website. Justin is also Anna's grandson and the great-grandson of Dad Carter. As you might expect, Justin inherited their musical abilities. He has been a drummer since 1987, recording and touring with several artists in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, where he lives with his wife Donna.