The Crooked Fret Stringband plays Americana roots music in the traditions of oldtime & mountain music, Carter family, fiddle tunes, folk, gospel and more. Members are Cathy Stockton (fiddle); John Hicks (mandolin, guitar, vocals, bones); Virginia Lynn Anderson (guitar, vocals, recorder); and Tom Stockman (Guitaro, vocals, guitar) with the Fat Freddy being played by various members. Cathy's fiddle playing brings a nice homespun sound to the band, and we play a wide variety of fiddle tunes. Some are well known Americana, some not - and many with deeper roots back to European folk music and English sea shanties.
John's virtuoso playing and singing add some sophistication while his theater background add a distinct flavor of ham. A talented songwriter, his songs add a lot of fun and whimsy to the band's performances. John also bangs the bones & thumps the washtub.
Virginia brings touches of country and folk to the oldtime music, is also a talented songwriter, teaches guitar, voice, and more at Swallow Hill Music School, and brings a wide & deep background in Americana music to the fore. Virginia also takes turn on recorder and washtub.
Tom whangs away at his Guitaro autoharp & his guitar, puts in some licks on that washtub, and mines the archives of traditional oldtime music for songs of history, mystery, misery, and woe.
