Runaway String Band Acoustic Band from Williamsburg, VA

The Runaway String Band brings together four long-time Williamsburg-area musicians whose mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, old time, and swing music builds on the spirit of the old-time, acoustic, string bands. String band music has long been a staple of the American musical scene. Early groups like Charlie Poole and His North Carolina Ramblers and Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers blended together old tunes and songs with contemporary pieces into a unique and wonderful sound that delighted the ears of the listeners. With their lush vocal harmonies and hot instrumentals, the Runaway String Band provides audiences with a taste of traditional and popular American music from the 1920s to the present. The Musicians: Doug Austin, formerly with the acclaimed bluegrass ensemble Virginia Rail, plays the mandolin for the ensemble, and adds strong lead and harmony vocals. Five-string banjoist Dave Paddock sings both harmony and lead, and creates many of the Runaway String Band's vocal arrangements. He brings years of experience in a variety of vocal ensembles to the task. Rounding out the group are Barry and Lynn Trott. Both are long time performers of 17th and 18th century music in Williamsburg. Barry plays guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and does a lot of the lead singing. Lynn holds down the bass section with her viola de gamba. Together as the Runaway String Band, this quartet delights audiences with its tight harmonies, driving rhythms, and unique arrangements of bluegrass, old-time and swing music.