New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters
The New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters’ name comes from the original Bogtrotters, the famous Galax-area band of the 1930s. From the musically rich region surrounding Galax, Virginia, and known for playing high-energy dance tunes. The group has won the prestigious first place old-time band prize at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax eight different years. Eddie Bond, the band’s fiddler, is also a fine vocalist, and he knows many of the old mountain ballads that date back to previous generations.
Dry Hill Draggers
The Dry Hill Draggers of Franklin County started with banjo player Jimmy Boyd and his brother, Billy Boyd in 1981. The group has persevered even as some members have passed on. They are popular performers at the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival every year and the Galax Fiddle’s Convention with awards in the Old Time Band category.
Whitetop Mountain Band
The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is an area rich in the old time music tradition, and this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region’s style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style.
The Whitetop Mountain Band is well known for their high energy and charisma on stage. Their shows are very versatile and entertaining containing everything from fiddle/banjo instrumentals to powerful solos and harmony vocals on blues, honky tonk, traditional bluegrass numbers, old timey ballads, originals, and four part mountain gospel songs.
Thornton Spencer (fiddle), Martha Spencer (guitar, fiddle, banjo, vocals), Jackson Cunningham (mandolin and vocals), Emily Spencer (banjo and vocals), Debbie Bramer (bass), Spencer Pennington (guitar and vocals).
Mac Traynham & the Mountain Boomers
Mac Traynham is a bonafide, old-time musician in Floyd County. Mac and his wife Jenny have played at old time folk festivals throughout the country. This year they will be playing at Merle Fest, one of the largest Old-Time music festivals. Mac and Friends often include banjo and fiddle music with some back up guitar, harmonies and old-time harmonica. They play frequently at The Friday Night Jamboree and are often featured in special concerts.
BUY NOW: I’m Going That Way, When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland, The Sweetest Way Home, and his latest album Never Grow Old.
Slate Mountain Ramblers
The Slate Mountain Ramblers have been a mainstay of the dance and festival culture in central and western North Carolina and southwest Virginia for 24 years and are still going strong. Headed up by fiddler, Richard Bowman from Ararat, Virginia, the Ramblers started as group of friends and morphed into a family band over the years.
Albums available online: A Pile of Fiddle Tunes and Live at the Floyd Country Store.
The Jugbusters
The Jugbusters, led by Fiddling Bill Richardson, are one of the most popular old-time string bands in the New River Valley. They embrace the traditional music that can still be heard at local square dances in the Blue Ridge Mountains from Roanoke to Asheville.
Always a favorite with our Saturday Night Dance crowd, they play a mix of irresistible flatfooting tunes, waltzes, two-steps and squares.
Jugbusters’ Website
Hesitation Blues – Live from the Floyd Country Store
Sally Ann – Live from The Floyd Country Store
Albums Available Online: Keep the Crows Out and No Easier Way
Windfall
Windfall is a dynamic acoustic quartet featuring beautiful harmonies coupled with hot guitar, mandolin, fiddle and harmonica licks; held together with a solid bottom end on acoustic bass and percussion. They specialize in Americana/Roots music. Find out more at windfallweb.com and myspace.com/windfallweb. They record at thewindfallstudios.com.
Album Available Online:
Buck Mountain Band
The Buck Mountain Band, an old-time band based in Grayson County, Virginia, plays regularly for dances at Cana, Sparta, and Ararat, as well as at the Floyd Country Store.
The group is composed of Bob Taylor, fiddle; Dan Peck, banjo; Larry McPeak, guitar; Sue Taylor, guitar; Debbie Larson, bass. Alternately, Amy Boucher or Roger Wilson plays banjo, and frequently Katherine Higgins or Karen Carr plays bass.
Album Available Online:
The Half Bad Bluegrass Band
The Half Bad Bluegrass Band formed in late 2005, out of a weekly jam session around the old coal stove in the loft of the Lively family barn. They knew right away that they wanted to stay with the style of old school, driving bluegrass played by such musicians as Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, and regional favorite Richard Hefner and The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys.
A Half Bad live show is best described as a high energy, foot stomping, old school bluegrass good time. They are hoping to get in the studio soon to cut a CD, but until then, come and see them live for a guaranteed good time.
Janet Turner and Friends
Floyd native Janet Turner carries on the local tradition of gospel singing. Her strong clear voice and accompaniment with autoharp bring old time gospel music alive. A regular performer at the store, Janet brings family and friends together on stage to share the joy of the music.
Red Head Express
THE WALKER FAMILY aka The RedHead Express are equally at home playing straight forward bluegrass as they are playing their own unique renditions of old time and gospel. This wholesome family showcases their four young daughters’ beautiful harmonies, original songs, and increasing musical maturity while mom and dad add vocal depth, backup, and guidance to the ensemble.
THEIR FIRST TOUR out during 2007/2008 was focused mostly on the south, where the heart of bluegrass is, with overwhelming success. They enjoyed showcasing in Virginia at The Floyd Country Store as well as many other venues in the Virginia and North Carolina mountains.
Gill’s Creek Grass Bluegrass Band
Gill’s Creek Grass Bluegrass Band has been playing together since 1993. Mike Dillon plays guitar, Tommy Perdue plays guitar, Danny Easome plays the upright bass, Raymond Oakes plays guitar and performs vocals. Jason Johnson plays banjo.
If you would like to find out more about their schedule, send them an email.
Mac and Jenny
Mac and Jenny are a husband and wife duo who specialize in the early country duet style of singing and playing old-time gospel and mountain music.
Available Online:
When the Roses Bloom in Dixielandd
Never Grow Old
In the Blue Hills of Virginia
Sigmon Stringers
The Sigmon Stringers are a three generation bluegrass band from Newton, North Carolina. The third generation (Mollie, Beau and Anna) add much excitement and enthusiasm to the sound. They invite all to visit their website: www.sigmonstringers.com.
Their second CD “Gettin Better All the Time” has just been released.
Victory Express
Formed in early Spring 2006. We have been going pretty strong. An energetic band from the high mountains of the Blueridge. From left to right: Maudie Alexander – bass / Charles Stimac..Mandolin & Song writer / Richard Alexander – Guitar / Harold Vass – Banjo
Wayne T. Holt Band
Wayne T. Holt Band – Hardyville, Virginia.
Bluegrass, Old Country & Gospel
www.myspace.com/waynetholtband
