Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Jason Carter: Fiddles and Forever

If music is like a woven piece of art with various elements blending to become one, such is the union of Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Jason Carter. The two fiddle players are now married; their music and lives intertwined into a beautiful tapestry that was always meant to be.

Bronwyn hails from Charlottesville, Virginia. She is a two-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and a Grammy award winner for her work with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. Now she is playing on her own. Jason’s roots are in Kentucky, where a stretch of the Country Music Highway in Lloyd is named after him. For thirty years, Jason has played fiddle for the Del McCoury Band, winning three Grammys, including one in 2018 for Best Bluegrass Album with The Travelin’ McCourys, of which he is a founding member. Jason has taken home five IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards. He also has his own Jason Carter Band.

It appears the two were destined to meet. Both are phenomenal fiddlers, both are focused on their musical careers. “We met each other at different bluegrass festivals,” says Bronwyn. “We started looking forward to seeing each other, and our relationship grew from there.”

With music at their core, Jason and Bronwyn seem to be in perfect harmony. In music, harmony is like fitting puzzle pieces together, and it is apparent when talking with the couple that they are a perfect fit for one another, often finishing each other’s sentences, but never stepping on one another’s toes. If melody tells a story, unfolding like a captivating tale taking the listener on a musical journey, their story unfolded in a natural, organic way, beginning with backstage glances and romance. The heartbeat of a song is rhythm, communicating emotions and thoughts like a language without words. There is no doubt this power couple has a rhythm of their own, sharing the language of love in their special relationship.

Jason and Bronwyn began dating in 2018 when Bronwyn moved to Nashville. When they got engaged, both began thinking about wedding venues. “We started brainstorming about places in Nashville that were special to us,” says Bronwyn. They had each played the Grand Ole Opry several times through the years, and Jason started thinking that it would be cool to get married there. While Bronwyn thought it was a bit of a stretch, Jason decided it couldn’t hurt to ask. “I knew Charlie Worsham had his reception there and I was hoping we could get pictures on stage,” he says. “I talked to Dan Rogers, manager of the Opry, and to my surprise, he said if we could do it as a sunrise wedding, we could hold the ceremony on the stage.”

Inviting 200 people, many of them musicians, to come to a wedding held on a Tuesday morning at 8am was a bit of a gamble, but Jason says their family and friends all showed up at the October 15, 2024, ceremony to witness the couple repeat their vows. “The Opry was so gracious. We were married on the circle, which was such an honor for both of us.” Vaughn Johnson officiated the ceremony.

Bronwyn’s bridesmaids were a bluegrass who’s who of entertainers: Molly Tuttle, Brenna MacMillan, Christina Vane and Shelby Means, who served as Maid of Honor. Jason’s groomsmen were Aidan Keith-Hynes (Bronwyn’s brother), Jeff Carter (Jason’s brother), Alan Bartram, with Michael Cleveland, who served as Best Man.

The brunch reception was held in the Grand Ole Opry’s Studio A, where the popular television show Hee-Haw was filmed. An all-star band of musician friends played at the reception. The icing on the cake was when the couple returned to the Opry that evening to perform. “I think the audience was surprised when I walked out in my wedding gown,” laughs Bronwyn. The couple performed “Trip Around the Sun,” off Bronwyn’s first vocal album, I Built a World. It was her first time to sing on the Opry stage. Jason sang as well, and the couple performed “Train 45.”

Jason says the Opry crew was very gracious. “They took care of us and made us feel welcomed and at home. There really is a family atmosphere at the Grand Ole Opry, and it was a big honor for us to begin our marriage there. It was a true fairytale day.”

As the couple settles into married life, they are feathering their nest in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Both Jason and Bronwyn are busy with their careers. Bronwyn is in the studio working on a new solo record, and she will start a tour in August. Jason recently released an album, Twin Fiddles, with Michael Cleveland, and he is busy with the Jason Carter Band. Between writing, recording, and touring, they are rarely at home. While images of the couple playing fiddles together at home come to mind, Jason says the reality of their life is sometimes a bit different. “I spent all yesterday working in the yard. But I don’t mind -- I’m living the dream.”

Photo credit Jay Strausser