The Rocky Creek Ramblers formed as a band at the fiddler’s convention in Mt. Airy, North Carolina in 2014. Rocky Creek runs along the edge of Veteran’s Memorial Park, where the convention has been held for many years. The band consists of Joseph Decosimo on fiddle and vocals, Jim Collier on mandolin and vocals, Jim Nelson on guitar and vocals, Joseph Dejarnette on bass, and Ken Landreth on banjo. I know all these guys except for Ken, some for a long, long time. This music was recorded by Joe Bass in 2016 and 2019.

This CD, described as “hearty old-time music” on the cover, has 22 cuts ranging from “Sally Ann” to “R. Wooliver’s Money Musk.” They cite the following sources which give an idea of the breadth of their influences: Red Wilson – Jonesboro, Bob Douglas – Cockleburr, Leslie Keith – Black Mountain Blues (all originals), Otis Burris – Red Apple Rag and Sail Away Ladies, Tommy Magness – Bob Wills Stomp, Charlie Acuff – C Waltz and Raven’s Gap, John Sharp – Bill Cheatum, Bob Townsend – Bryson Higgins’ Tune, Manco Sneed – Paddy on the Turnpike, Rafe Brady – Ebenezer, Blaine Smith – Blaine Smith’s Piece, and Roy Wooliver – Money Musk. In addition, you will find Echoes of the Ozarks, June Apple, Cumberland Gap, New Five Cents, Handsome Molly, Mississippi Sawyer, and Bound to Ride. As the liner notes explain, these tunes are mostly “the standards (and the ones that ought to be standards).”

As one might expect from this group of distinguished pickers, each piece is performed with tremendous skill and power. This is mostly dance music, and you will be hard put not to tap your foot along with the band. They sing, too, and do that just as well.

Click here to get their digital album