Benford, Mac (and the Woodshed All-Stars)

MAC BENFORD (AND THE WOODSHED ALL-STARS)

  • From Ithica, New York.
  • A banjo player who played in the traditional clawhammer style.
  • 1967, moved to San Francisco and founded Dr. Humbead’s New Tranquility Stringband and Medicine Show.
  • 1972, moved back to New York and founded the Highwoods String Band.
  • 1979, formed a new band called Backwoods.
  • 1990, formed the Woodshed Allstars, performing traditional string-band music with a driving bluegrassy style.
  • 1996, released Willow album (Rounder Records).
  • Also played with a group called Noah’s Arkestra, so called because there are two of every instrument in the band.
  • 2020, died at the age of 79.