Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Quattlebaum grew up with the slow rhythm of the South seeping into his bones. He found his musical roots early, drawn to the banjo's haunting twang, the Southern Appalachia song traditions, and the funky sounds of New Orleans. Quattlebaum's artistic spark ignited at a young age, as did his passion for performance and the outdoors. He attended an all-arts high school as a theater major, where he spent countless hours immersed in community theatre, camping with his scout troop, and competing in Odyssey of the Mind competitions — even taking home gold at the World Championship. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, honing his leadership skills along the way. His love for storytelling, set design, and puppetry flourished on stage, while his passion for woodworking took root behind the scenes, building sets and crafting costumes. These formative years planted the seeds of future creative endeavors. Working as a river guide during his summers in college in Asheville, NC, Quattlebaum got addicted to the adrenaline of paddling whitewater — his first taste of getting paid to do something he loved. After earning a degree in Outdoor Education with a minor in Appalachian Folk Music Studies, he hit the road, rambling the countryside in his Volkswagen camper and chasing adventure. He spent nearly a decade as a whitewater rafting guide, navigating class IV rapids and diving deep into riparian ecology, gold rush history, and outdoor education. Playing tunes around the campfire and at guide parties led to gigs at local watering holes and reignited passions for performing.
