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.