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Event
JAKOB'S FERRY STRAGGLERS
Hailing from the mountain towns of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, The Jakob's Ferry Stragglers draw freely from Old-Time, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, and Swing music to create their own brand of high energy, Appalachian Bluegrass. Gary Antol (guitar/vocals) and Libby Eddy (fiddle/vocals) founded the band in 2014 with a very simple goal: write good songs, honor the music, and take it to the road. In the time since, JFS has appeared at festivals and clubs all across the country.
In 2015, the band released their debut album, The Lane Change, a collection of both original and traditional songs focusing on journeys through personal relationships as well as life in the coal mining towns of central Appalachia. The album was well received by fans and critics alike. Mannington #9, a searing tale of lives lost in a 1968 mining disaster in Mannington, WV, was featured in the Relix Magazine 2015 Summer CD Sampler. Written by West Virginia storyteller and old time musician, Keith McManus, the songs driving rhythm and haunting melody capture the loss suffered by 78 families in this tragic accident. The Lane Change also featured the powerhouse harmonies of Antol and Eddy on titles such as No Ash Will Burn and Blue Diamond Mines. Summer of 2016 saw two major highlights for the band. In addition to playing The Emerging Artist Showcase at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, the band released its sophomore effort, White Lightning Road. The title track, written by Fort Wayne, IN songwriter, Darren Hunt, follows the path of a moonshiner trying to survive in a dying coal town. The songs soaring vocals showcase Libby Eddys uniquely Appalachian voice, steeped in the cultural traditions of her rural West Virginia upbringing, with the strength of a people ready to fight for survival. Hunt also contributed to Ray Stevens inspired and instantly familiar, Get Along Gone. WYEP FM Pittsburgh listed White Lightning Road as one of the top ten bluegrass albums of 2016. WYEP has also featured two of Antols compositions on their Local 913 program: The Legend of Gandy Grey (The Lane Change) and Smokestacks (White Lightning Road).
In 2018, the band released their third studio effort, Poison River, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Will Shenk at National Media Services in Front Royal, VA. Poison River features original music written by Antol, Eddy, and mandolinist, Ray Bruckman. Along with the addition of Bruckman on mandolin, the album features Jody Mosser, lending his soulful dobro playing to the sound. Appalachian Jamwichs review of the album called it pure musical magic. The albums lead single When the Redbud Blooms received national airplay including a premier on Annette Gradys The Bluegrass Jamboree.
The band is honored and thrilled to be an Official Showcase Artist at The International Bluegrass Music Associations Bluegrass Ramble at World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC in 2018. Television appearances include WGN Americas Outsiders; Live from Center Stage in Cape Cod; and KDKA Pittsburgh. WDVX (Knoxville) has twice featured the band on their Blue Plate Special show.
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LocationElk Creek Cafe + Aleworks (View)
100 West Main Street
Millheim, PA 16854
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 18 |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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