The Philadelphia Jug Band returns for a free outdoor concert bringing their fun-filled goodtime mix of folk, rags, stomps and old-time country blues to back deck of the Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Saturday July 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Bring a comfortable chair. The concert will move indoors to the Mainstay in case of rain or extreme heat. Information is available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org. This free outdoor concert is sponsored by the Kent County Arts Council, People’s Bank, the Greater Rock Hall Business Association and The Mainstay.
“If this music doesn’t make you smile, nothing will!” The Philadelphia Jug Band has used this slogan for more years than they can count. They trace their roots to the second Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1963 when two high school students, members of a band called the Ridgerunners, heard Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band. They were inspired to start playing the eclectic goodtime mix of rags, blues, stomps and hollers that the Kweskin Band was known for and they’ve been playing them ever since – long enough to earn a mention in the Wikipedia article on “Jug Bands.”
According to one of the band members, “In 1963 we discovered jug band music via Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band at the second annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. To say we were transformed, not to mention transfixed, would be an understatement. It immediately became our sound.”
They have since performed throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and further afield including performances at such prestigious venues as Philadelphia’s World Café Live. They have returned to the Philadelphia Folk Festival – now in its 54th year – in both official and unofficial capacities every year since.
Though the band members have scattered following jobs or retirement dreams they still make it a point to get together to play a few gigs and, of course, get together at the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
The core band is Frank Zemlan on guitar and vocals, Jim Klingler on guitar and vocals, Bob Beach on harmonica, flute and vocals, Dave Gauck on washtub bass and jug and Steve Miller, on washboard, blues kazoo and vocals. They play a wide ranging mix of country blues, folk, rags and stomps.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival remains near and dear to their hearts and at the 50th Festival in 2011, they played the main stage and participated in a blues and acoustic workshop with folk legends Tom Rush, Roy Book Binder, Dave Bromberg and Jorma Kaukonen. After 50 years of playing jug band tunes – and they claim that any song can be a jug band tune given the right treatment – they have become the tradition bearers they once emulated.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org.
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