ROOTSTONE JUG BAND - keeping it primitive
Scott Baldwin : Singing, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Jug, Kazoo, etc
Jeff Hofmann : Double Bass
Sam Lunsford : Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, Singing, Harmonica, etc
Sean Poff : Washboard, Jug, Singing
John Thompson, Guitar, Banjo, Singing
2008 arrived, and songster Scott Baldwin found himself at the head of the band. Upright bass ace Hofmann and brilliant multi-instrumentalist Lunsford were still into being in a jug band, so they recruited John and Sean to complete the band.
The band's inaugural performance at to open New Harmonies Roots Music exhibit in Hopewell, Virginia met enthusiastic response from a diverse audience. Three weeks later a crowd of thousands at Roanoke’s annual Strawberry Festival was as entertained by the Rootstone Jug Band as they were by the preceding act, who faithfully recreated modern radio hits.
Around a single microphone the group summons rich strains of American roots music. This rich repertoire comes alive. A growing catalog of originals sit comfortably beside unique arrangements and little known obscurities. Roots music is a living tradition in the hands of Rootstone Jug Band.
Rootstone Jug Band has been awarded at 2010-2011 Touring Grant from Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Read on to learn more about the other groups and individuals who make up the Rootstone family.
Side Projects!
Rootstone Sheiks - Roots and Blues Duo
Scott Baldwin : Guitar, Banjo, Vocals, etc
Sam Lunsford: Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Vocals, etc
Comprised of two principle members of the Rootstone Jug Band, a Rootstone Sheiks performance is a lively foray into a wealth of American Roots Music.
The group's name is a nod to greats such as the Mississippi Sheiks and the Beale Street Sheiks, and features material from both of these groups, and much more.
Wonder Tonic Serenaders - Roots Music Crusaders
Jay Griffin : Fiddle, Singing, Washboard, Kazoo
Sam Lunsford: Strings, Singing, Harmonica, etc.
Scott Baldwin: Strings, Singing, Jug, etc
This group traces the roots of American Folk Music of the American South as far back as they can. The group performs primarily for student and senior groups. Its members all served together in New Roanoke Jug Band, and their friendship and common musical aesthetic are blended again in the Wonder Tonic Serenaders.
Scott and Sam are delighted to have NRJB founder Jay Griffin back in the mix. Says Scott, "Jay's ideas on arranging material to suit us continually surprises me. Plus he has used his hiatus from performing to improve his already formidable fiddling."
The Wonder Tonic Serenaders are currently booking engagements to perform for student and senior groups.
Contatct : booking@rootstone.net for any other inquiries.
New Roanoke Jug Band - 2000-2007
New Roanoke Jug Band was founded by Jay Griffin in 2000. Initially the group featured Jim Barnhill on banjo and Scott Baldwin on guitar. Jim left in 2001 and Jay and Scott continued the act as a duo (with Andrew Thomas ocassionally joining on bass) for the next four years. Employing session help from greats like Mac Traynham, Kirk Sutphin, Kinney Rorrer, Russell Harbaugh and Rusty May, NRJB released two acclaimed CDs on Roanoke's "Play It For A Long Time", released in 2003, also contains the complete recorded output of the Roanoke Jug Band from 1929. 2005's "A Pretty Gal's Love" is a collection of love songs which approach the topic from a variety of viewpoints, from amorous to murderous. Jeff Hofmann joined in 2005 and Sam Lunsford joined in 2006. In 2007 NRJB recorded and released The first ever Jug Band Gospel Album,"WHEN MY TIME ON EARTH IS DONE" , their finest work and a fitting epitaph for the group.
Second Hand Jug Band - jug band for hire
What do you do when the members of your main band are heavily committed to other projects as well? Form a side project, of course. Second Hand Jug Band is Scott with a revolving cast of musicians. This group will be performing select dates around Roanoke. SHJB has included : Jeff Hofmann, Joe Lunsford, Sean Poff and Sam Lunsford. More players are expected to join the fray in the future.