Bluegrass Personalities Swap Roles for Playful Photo Shoot

Jeromie Stephens and Jeremy Stephens poke fun at their name confusion at a festival in West Virginia.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:36pm

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Two popular bluegrass personalities, Jeromie Stephens and Jeremy Stephens, have long dealt with confusion over their similar names. At a recent festival in Parsons, West Virginia, the two decided to have some fun with the situation, swapping roles and instruments for a playful photo shoot.

Why it matters

The mix-up between the two Stephens is a common occurrence in the tight-knit bluegrass community, where personal connections and familiarity are important. This lighthearted stunt highlights the camaraderie and good-natured ribbing that can happen between artists, even when their names are easily confused.

The details

Jeromie Stephens is a renowned bluegrass photographer, while Jeremy Stephens is a respected traditional bluegrass musician. Despite their differences in age, appearance, and profession, the two are often mistaken for one another due to their nearly identical names. At the Pickin' in Parsons festival, the two decided to swap roles, with Jeromie picking up a banjo and Jeremy grabbing a camera, much to the amusement of their bluegrass peers.

  • The photo shoot took place at the Pickin' in Parsons festival in Parsons, West Virginia.

The players

Jeromie Stephens

A veteran bluegrass photographer known for his work capturing the genre's top artists.

Jeremy Stephens

A respected traditional bluegrass musician and performer.

Corrina Rose Logston Stephens

Jeremy Stephens' wife and musical partner.

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What they’re saying

“After 40 years of photographing bluegrass musicians, I was feeling pretty burnt out, creatively speaking. In the back of my mind there'd always been a dream of mastering the banjo. I mean, how hard could it be?”

— Jeromie Stephens

The takeaway

This lighthearted photo shoot showcases the camaraderie and good-natured spirit within the bluegrass community, where even long-standing name mix-ups can become the basis for playful collaboration and shared laughs.