IBMA World of Bluegrass - Friday, October 1 @ 12:00pm
About Us
Our Story
Born out of the Steve Howell Project, the Oak City String Band from Raleigh, NC brings a modern twist to traditional Bluegrass, Old Time and Americana.
What Inspires Us
The Oak City String Band performs traditional bluegrass music with a mix of new songs played in our own style of bluegrass. We love nothing more than continuing that unbroken circle of the vocal and instrumental music born here in North Carolina. Despite sharing many of the same interests and pastimes, we all thrive of the different inspirations each of us brings to the table. This leads us to work seamlessly in a creative setting. Our goal is to share this music that means so much to us with our fans.
Our Influences
OCSB carries on the traditions of those who migrated to America in the 1600s from Ireland, Scotland, and England. The settlers brought with them the basic styles of music that are generally considered to be the roots of bluegrass music as it is known today. As the Jamestown settlers began to move out into North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, they wrote songs about day-to-day life in the new land. Bluegrass Pioneers such as Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley and Jimmy Martin popularized this music about life on the farm or in the hills. Many great performers carry on this tradition today. We are proud to be part of that family.