"No, we're not Grand Funk Railroad but we're an American Band"
Railroad Earth has been a mainstay at High Sierra since they burst on the scene back in 2001. They are a roots and Americana-based band from rural western New Jersey and their name stems from a Jack Kerouac poem "October in the Railroad Earth," (they have a song by the same name). Railroad Earth's music combines elements of bluegrass, rock and roll, jazz, celtic and more, and the group is known for its extensive live improvisation and lyrical songwriting within an acoustic base. They can jam with the best of them, but they're not a jamband. They're bluegrass influenced, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). What kind of music is it then? Mandolin/vocalist John Skehan offers this semi-descriptive term: "I always describe it as a string band, but an amplified string band... with drums". Along with acoustic guitarist and lead vocalist Todd Sheaffer, violinist/vocalist Tim Carbone, mandolinist/vocalist John Skehan, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andy Goessling, drummer/vocalist Carey Harmon, the group has a new bass player in Andrew Altman. Andrew is a deeply talented player who some of you may know from either The Codetalkers or Blueground Undergrass. After missing the festival last year, we're thrilled to have them on hand for our 20th Annual.