Rootstone: Bands | People
ROOTSTONE JUG BAND - keeping it primitive
2008 arrived, and songster Scott Baldwin found himself at the head of the band. Upright bass ace Jeff Hofmann and brilliant multi-instrumentalist Sam Lunsford were still into being in a jug band, so they recruited John Thompson (strings & vocals) and Sean Poff (washboard, jug & vocals). These five are the Rootstone Jug 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.
Limited bookings are planned for 2008. A debut release on Rootstone Records is slotted for the latter half of the year. Stay tuned for what happens next.
Read on to learn more about us.
Scott Baldwin - Guitar, Vocals, other Jug Band implements
Scott started chasing this music in 1998 when he hiked the length of the Appalachian Trail (guitar and harmonica rack in tow) using the trail handle T-Bone Walker. A founding member of New Roanoke Jug Band , Scott now finds himself in front of the band. He presents a wide variety of fingerpicking styles from musical heroes, including Robert Wilkins, Blind Boy Fuller and Mississippi John Hurt (just to name a few).
Jeff Hofmann - Upright Bass
A stalwart on the Roanoke music scene, Jeff is the only member of the group who has personally been introduced to Boss Hog.
Active in a number of groups, Jeff doesn't let his abundant talent and experience keep him from getting primitive with the jug band. His bass playing will knock you out, in a good way.
For more info on Jeff's other pursuits check out: UnisonFoundation.org
Sam Lunsford - Banjo, Harmonica, Washboard, Guitar, Vocals, etc.
Go ahead, hand Sam an instrument, any instrument. Wait a few seconds and he'll be making music on it even if he's never seen it before. Sam joined New Roanoke Jug Band in 2006. He contributed mightily to the band's final release, WHEN MY TIME ON EARTH IS DONE, with great banjo and harmonica work. His harp playing on Burnin' Hell has generated more email than any other track we've done!
Sam is active in a number of other bands, most notably as the leader of The Young Sinclairs
Sean Poff - Washboard, Jug, Vocals
the newest member of the group, Sean does a fine job holding down the rhythm on the washboard (he's a barehanded double thumber!), and uses his brass chops from his school days to work the jug. Jug Band music is in Sean's blood: his uncle Jack Mitchell played in a jug band and was a popular songwriter around Warr and Welch W.Va. Uncle Jack was the self procalimed "Mayor of Yukon, West Virginia".
John Thompson - Guitar, Banjo, Harmony Vocals
A native son of Franklin County, VA, it seems that John was born knowing how to pick a guitar better than most folks can after years of practice. He came to the group in an emergency situation, stepping in to do a big show with three days notice. It went so well that he opted to stick with it. His fine guitar work and singing are becoming an important part of the Rootstone Jug Band sound.
New Roanoke Jug Band
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.