Why would an Atlanta singer with a Southern accent and a bluegrass-music-loving dad end up in Washington, D.C.? To get a master’s degree in physiology and biophysics from Georgetown, of course. Since its formation in the fall of 2006, The Junior League Band has graced numerous stages throughout the country in an effort to introduce a new legion of fans to its unique blend of rock and bluegrass-inspired music. The music on Junior League Band’s third album, “Mitchell Williams Fo Govena,” features fiddle, banjo and dobro, but it’s not bluegrass. Fans of Alison Krauss, Levon Helm, Jenny Lewis, Old Crow Medicine Show will enjoy The Junior League Band.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Junior League Band’s first gig was at the BlackCat backstage in march 2007. My first show ever was performing on stage at my family’s fiddlers festival, Fiddlers Grove, in NC as a little girl withy Dads band , Hal Beaver and Blackgrass. I still play that every year Memorial Day weekend.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?
The best gig I ever played was at Floydfest in 2008. They had us kick off the festival on the main stage on Thursday evening before Chatham County Line and Donna the Buffalo. From our view on stage, you could see the sun setting over the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a beautiful scene to perform for.
What is the best gig you have ever been to?
This is hard to answer as we have been really lucky and been able to play so many wonderful gigs. One of the best gigs we ever went to was probably at Chelseas in Baton Rouge in 2009. We had never played in Louisiana before, and stepped on stage to do our thing. The next thing we knew, this steady crowd of strangers were dancing and twirling and having a ball to our music. Lots of soulful dancers up for new music in Baton Rouge!
Gig you would most like to play?
I’d love to play the Ryman in Nashvile opening for Alison Krauss or at the Midnight Ramble at Levon Helms house in Woodstock, NY.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I’d love to play some sort of variety show with Alison Krauss, Doc Watson, my Dad, The Wood Brothers and the Levon Helm Band, where we are all on stage and take turns calling out the song and backing each other up. This could be in a living room, or a crowded Carnagie Hall- my dream is to have all that music in one room playing together.
Catch The Junior League Band, April 6th at Smith’s Olde Bar
