Old Crow Medicine Show

Biography

Old Crow Medicine Show is an Americana string band that was founded in 1998 when a group of young, old-time string musicians left Ithaca, New York, with the ambitious goal of playing their way across North America. The band began their journey by busking on street corners throughout Canada and the northeastern United States, traveling with pawnshop fiddles, banjos, guitars, and washboards to downtown areas, farmers markets, and small towns across Ontario, Manitoba, and the Pacific Northwest. After recrossing the country, they settled in the mountains of North Carolina near Boone, where they immersed themselves in Appalachian culture and expanded their repertoire of traditional old-time songs by playing with local musicians.

The band's breakthrough came in 2000 when bluegrass legend Doc Watson discovered them busking outside a pharmacy in Boone, North Carolina, the day after Independence Day. Watson was so impressed by what he described as "some of the most authentic old time music he'd heard in a long time" that he invited them to perform at MerleFest, which led to their relocation to Nashville in October 2000. In Nashville, they were mentored by Marty Stuart, the president of the Grand Ole Opry, who added them to his touring package and helped them gain exposure opening for major country artists. The band made their Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium in January 2001, where they received a rare standing ovation and encore request for their original song "Tear It Down." They were formally inducted as official members of the Grand Ole Opry on September 17, 2013.

Over more than two decades, Old Crow Medicine Show has established itself as one of America's most beloved old-time string bands, blending pre-World War II blues and folk songs with original compositions that capture both traditional and contemporary sounds. Their 2004 self-titled album O.C.M.S., produced by Dave Rawlings, sold over 100,000 copies and featured the hit "Wagon Wheel." Their ninth album, Remedy, released in 2014, won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. Known for their "raucous, warm-hearted performances" and described as an "American roots string band with punk rock attitude and energy," the group has influenced the broader string band revival movement and inspired acts like Mumford & Sons. The band has earned two Grammy Awards, built a devoted fanbase through relentless touring, and become recognized torchbearers of Nashville's musical heritage.

Fun Facts

• The band's discovery by Doc Watson was serendipitous—they were busking outside a pharmacy in Boone, North Carolina, the day after July 4th, specifically trying to attract tourists from Charlotte when Watson happened upon them.
• Guitarist Kevin Hayes was originally raking blueberries in Bar Harbor, Maine, when he encountered frontman Ketch Secor playing banjo on the street in front of a jewelry store, leading to his joining the band.
• During their Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium in January 2001, they were given only four minutes on stage but received a rare first-time-out standing ovation and an encore request for their original song "Tear It Down."
• Frontman Ketch Secor describes the band's philosophy as being "in the joy business," noting that from the very start, virtues of Christmas—the revelry, singalongs, and happiness—have been present in their performances.

Members

• Critter Fuqua (from 1998 until 2004)
• Willie Watson (from 1998 until 2011)
• Ketch Secor (from 1998)
• Morgan Jahnig (from 2000)
• Gill Landry (from 2007 until 2015)
• Critter Fuqua (from 2012)
• Chance McCoy (from 2012)
• Cory Younts - drums (drum set), keyboard, mandolin (from 2013)
• Jerry Pentecost (from 2019)
• Mike Harris (from 2021)
• Mason Via (from 2021)
• P.J. George
• Kevin Hayes
• Dante Pope
• Robert Price - drums (drum set)

Original Members

• Ketch Secor
• Morgan Jahnig
• Critter Fuqua
• Chance McCoy
• Cory Younts - drums (drum set), keyboard, mandolin
• Jerry Pentecost
• Mike Harris
• Mason Via

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Doc Watson - Bluegrass legend who discovered the band busking outside a pharmacy in Boone, North Carolina, and invited them to perform at MerleFest, launching their path to Nashville (MerleFest invitation and endorsement) [2000]
• Marty Stuart - President of the Grand Ole Opry who embraced and mentored the band after discovering them at the Uncle Dave Macon Days festival, adding them to his touring package and helping them gain major exposure (Electric Barnyard old-fashioned country variety package show bus tour) [2000-2013]
• Sally Williams - Grand Ole Opry representative who first booked the band for summer music events at the Grand Ole Opry House (Opryland Plaza outdoor show and Grand Ole Opry House performances) [2000]

Key Collaborators

• Dave Rawlings - Producer and musician who produced their 2004 self-titled album and collaborated on The Big Surprise Tour (O.C.M.S. (2004), The Big Surprise Tour) [2004, 2009]
• Gillian Welch - Folk artist who collaborated with Old Crow Medicine Show on The Big Surprise Tour (The Big Surprise Tour) [2009]
• The Felice Brothers - Folk band that performed alongside Old Crow Medicine Show on The Big Surprise Tour (The Big Surprise Tour) [2009]
• Justin Townes Earle - Singer-songwriter who performed on The Big Surprise Tour with Old Crow Medicine Show (The Big Surprise Tour) [2009]

Artists Influenced

• Mumford & Sons - British folk rock band influenced by Old Crow Medicine Show's old-time string sound and punk rock energy (General musical style and approach) [2000s onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Wagon Wheel (O.C.M.S.)
2. James River Blues (Big Iron World)
3. Take 'Em Away (O.C.M.S.)
4. Down Home Girl (Big Iron World)
5. Methamphetamine (Tennessee Pusher)
6. This Train is Bound for Glory
7. I Hear Them All (Big Iron World)
8. Tell It To Me (O.C.M.S.)
9. My Good Gal (Big Iron World)
10. Alabama HighTest (Tennessee Pusher)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bluegrass, #country, #folk