Freight Hoppers, The

Posted on by WR

THE FREIGHT HOPPERS

  • From Bryson City, North Carolina.
  • Formed in 1993.
  • Appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” after entering his “Talent from Towns Under 2000” contest and being selected from 492 entrants.
  • A traditional string band, their music pre-dates bluegrass. They play music from the 20’s and 30’s, from artists like the Skillet Lickers, Uncle Dave Macon and the Carter Family.
  • Band members: Dave Bass (fiddle), Frank Lee (banjo), Cary Fridley (guitar) and Jim O’Keefe/Hanne Jorgenson (bass.)
  • 1996, released Where’d You Come From Where’d You Go (Rounder).
  • 1998, released Waiting On The Gravy Train (Rounder).
  • Broke up in 1999, re-formed, then broke up again in 2001.
  • Fiddler Rayna Gellert worked with this band for a time and also in a duo with Frank Lee. She joined Uncle Earl in 2003.
  • 2007, after a five-year hiatus, original members Bass and Lee re-formed the band, joined by Thomas Bailey (guitar) and Isaac Deal (bass).
  • 2010, released Mile Marker album (no label).