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Although their name may be dark, Black Crown Stringband is a colorful group of musical compatriots coming from both worlds of Bluegrass as well as Old-Time music and meeting somewhere in the middle. The group, originally named The Pilot Lighters, first appeared at the 2008 Berkeley Old-Time Convention String Band Contest, where they won first place. Their musical menu consists of fiddle driven old-time numbers, twisted up bluegrass standards and plain old straight ahead mountain music. Look for them wherever true Americana is allowed.
John McKelvy made his debut to bluegrass & old time fans as the high lonesome vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the hillbilly gothic pioneers, The Earl Brothers. Since announcing his departure from the band in 2007, John has become a notable solo artist continuing on with his bi-polar songs of heartache, joy & despair. Originally from central Florida, McKelvy has performed all over the U.S., Canada & the U.K., opening for many of today's brightest stars including Junior Brown, Sam Bush, & Peter Rowan, among others.
Tim Hicks, a native of West Virginia, moved to the Bay Area in 2006 to pursue his passion for bluegrass mandolin. Growing up, he learned to play music from his father Ray, a master bluegrass musician, and studied with world famous folk artists at the Augusta Heritage Workshops. While still In WV, he performed in the old-time stringband Wild Hog and The Falling Run Bluegrass. Since moving to Northern CA, Tim has performed widely with the neo-traditional bluegrass outfit The Mountain Boys.
Elise Engelberg, a Kentucky native, got her start in music as a classical violinist. After moving to California, she rediscovered her bluegrass roots and began learning to play the fiddle. Since then, she has became a sought after fiddler in the Bay Area old time scene. Elise has recorded with the Crooked Jades, The Mercury Dimes and has toured with the Stairwell Sisters. Her love for teaching young children has afforded her a thriving music studio in San Francisco.
Matt Knoth, hails from San Jose, CA where he grew up listening and playing bluegrass and old-time music with his father, Al. In addition to the 5 string banjo, Knoth is a well respected flatpicking guitarist and founding member of the rocking old-time group, The Mercury Dimes. When not performing as a bluegrass star, Knoth enjoys pursuing his love of nature photography & composing soundtracks for documentary films.
Rob Mellberg is a veteran of California roots rock and a master of the doghouse bass. Convicted at 15 on a botched violin heist, he was sentenced to a life chained to this largest member of the fiddle family. With accolades from fans the world over, Mellberg has served time with such renowned organizations as The Earl Brothers, Chicken Coupe DeVille, The Kingpins among other stints in the worlds of rockabilly, country, punk, psycho & boogie. The man understands, as one reporter put it, “ain’t no use havin’ a double-bass if you ain’t gonna spin it”!
You guys are so great! A European Tour in the future??? Come to Seattle (its closer than Europe) we'd love to see you. This music makes me love yardwork!
Hi John, thanks so much for the add -- can't wait to hear the new band, if you're singing then we know its going to be AWESOME. Consider yourself buzzed, my friend.
OUT NOW: RIPE - THE DIXIE BEE-LINERS' highly anticipated sophomore release, produced by Bil VornDick (Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley) for Pinecastle Records, featuring the #1 single "Down on The Crooked Road."
Way back when you started this thing (only a few months ago) y'all had no music up here. Now you do and you guys sound great!! And it looks like you're pretty busy. Folklife probably passed on you because they were afeared that you'd show us how its done up here. Have you guys sent KBCS your recordings yet? Great folk radio up here! Much love to you all!
Train On The Island, Handsome Molly, Shady Grove - the day I learn to play those songs on this here ukulele, and not lose time, I'll be doing cartwheels down the street, for days on end. All the best with your music....
hi guys!!!
