Meet our Performers

Clinton Davis is an old time folk musician based in Southern California. A fifth-generation Kentuckian, Davis grew up in rural Carroll County. His repertoire spans fiddle and banjo music native to his family home, the exuberant ragtime piano and guitar of early 20th-century New Orleans, and ballad songs and dance music of the Southwest.  Davis’ prowess across instruments and traditional American styles has gained notice from the standard-bearers of previous generations, and earned him a place amongst a new generation of American folk musicians. Stefan Grossman, renowned authority of American roots guitar, has called him “a master…carrying on the traditional music torch of Mike Seeger.” No Depression has called his work “a joyous and soulful restoration of one of the lost treasures of American musical tradition.” Deering Banjos has called his playing “simply sublime.”

The Horsenecks are Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern. Based in Astoria, Oregon, they are two multi-instrumentalists who have come together from traditional music backgrounds and found a sound that weaves through layers of influence that include early Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, country, classic bluegrass and original folk. Gabrielle's fiddle style is the result of being raised in the Old Time music hotbed of Portland, OR and being exposed to the fiddle traditions of the Southeast US through years of traveling to festivals and learning from some of the greatest players in the genre. Barry’s banjo and guitar playing range from thrilling and high-octane to moody and captivating, and his versatility shines whether flatpicking, playing clawhammer, or driving three-finger banjo.

Skillet Licorice is the latest project from San Francisco Bay Area roots-music luminaries Elise Engelberg and Matt Knoth. Essentially a musical consortium, Matt & Elise are the core of an All-Star lineup featuring many of California's hottest old-time musicians.   Whether they’re playing hot fiddle breakdowns, slinky blues, sparkling banjo breaks, ragtime or dreamy waltzes,  Skillet Licorice displays an impressive command of styles and techniques that comes from deep study and loving dedication to America’s folk traditions. Joining Elise and Matt at the Santa Barbara's Old-time Festival will be Clinton Davis and Kelly Martin.

Suzy & Eric Thompson have devoted their lives to the pursuit of weird and obscure old-time American music – warped fiddle tunes in odd tunings, cinematic balla have spent a lifetime in pursuit of “old, weird America” and that extends to what’s now known as “Americana” too.   Both of them have performed and/or recorded alongside artists like Jim Kweskin, Jerry Garcia, Geoff Muldaur, David Grisman, Del Rey, Tony Rice, Ann Savoy, etc.  Suzy and Eric live in Berkeley CA where they teach  and perform in various band configurations and Suzy directs the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention (now in its 23rd  year). Some of their past and present bands have included:  California Cajun Orchestra, Blue Flame String Band, Backwoods Band, Bluegrass Intentions, Aux Cajunals, Thompsonia (with daughter Allegra) and also Black Mountain Boys (Eric), Texas Sheiks (Suzy) and Any Old Time String Band (Suzy).

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