Event

BUBBA GEORGE STRINGBAND

In 1974, Ithaca, NY was the northernmost outpost for the Appalachian Fiddle Music Revival that began in the late 60's. Bubba George grew directly out of two root-sources that co-existed in the Ithaca Old Time Music Scene. Number one was the internationally known Highwood String Band, based in Trumansburg, NY. The Highwoods played a more traditional, high-energy brand of fiddle tunes learned right from the source. The other, more renegade, bohemian fiddle band was the calypso/funk/soul influenced Correctone Stringband. Both these bands played often locally, and future members of Bubba George: Jeb Puryear, Rich Stearns, Shane Lamphier, and Jordan Puryear (ranging in ages 8-15 in 1974), had plenty of chances to be corrupted and counter corrupted by the irresistable sounds they heard at local dances and parties. Being Intelligent Progressive Hippie Children of Intelligent Progressive Hippie Parents, and being taught to think for themselves at their cutting edge Progressive Hippie School, Jordan, Jeb, Shane, and "Stearns" soon found themselves devoting the Lion's Share of their time to playing guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo, at home, at parties, and on the street. Jeb's and Jordan's brother Ward often played bass with them as well. Because they were so young and cute and naturally talented, their reputation and their ability grew simultaneously at an accelerated pace, soon becoming the talk of the town, and revered as prodigies by the very musicians who influenced and taught them. At a young age, they liked to stay up all night, eat fat meat and drink hard liquor with the best of them. They played breakdowns at breakneck speeds for hours, dusk till dawn, and travelled around on the Southern Fiddle Festival Circuit, combining the influences of the great fiddlers they heard with the feel of rock&roll, reggae, and punk. All Sales are Final.