The Christmas Jug Band

Biography

The Christmas Jug Band emerged from a spontaneous gathering of musicians in Mill Valley, California during the mid-1970s. A small group of friends with a shared appreciation for Kentucky bourbon and acoustic folk music—including Gregory Leroy "Duke Dagreeze" Dewey (formerly of Mad River and Country Joe & the Fish), his brother Nicholas Q. Dewey, Tim Eschliman (who had worked with Commander Cody and Etta James), and Paul Wenninger (road manager for Van Morrison)—began hosting weekly Appalachian-style jug jam sessions known as "The Monday Night Wild Turkey Jug Band." These early sessions, which lasted only 10 weeks around 1976, were characterized by a commitment to spontaneity and acoustic authenticity, deliberately avoiding cover songs and "too-good-sounding" instruments in favor of homemade and traditional instruments like washtub bass, washboard, jaw harp, and even coat hangers struck against wooden tables. The band's official origin as The Christmas Jug Band traces to December 19, 1977, when they performed at the Old Mill Tavern as "The Three Wise Men +4 -1 Jug Band" to cover for Dan Hicks, who was away on a recording session. Following the tavern owner's suggestion, they performed a Christmas Eve show that same year, establishing an annual holiday tradition that has now spanned over 47 years. In 1987, Globe Records released their debut album "Mistletoe Jam" on green vinyl, officially cementing the group's identity as The Christmas Jug Band.

Fun Facts

• The band's name "The Three Wise Men +4 -1 Jug Band" from their first official performance on December 19, 1977, was a playful mathematical reference reflecting their rotating lineup of musicians.
• Carbon-dating of leftover Kentucky bourbon decanters from the original Monday Night Wild Turkey Jug Band sessions pinpointed the year 1976 as the band's true genesis, predating their official formation by one year.
• The Christmas Jug Band's song "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" from their "Mistletoe Jam" album was licensed by Japanese retailer Francfranc in December 2012 for their "Jukebox Christmas" release, demonstrating international recognition of their work.
• Their track "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from "Mistletoe Jam" was featured on NBC's "My Name Is Earl" (Season 1, Episode 10, "White Lie Christmas"), bringing their irreverent holiday sound to mainstream television audiences.

Members

• Austin De Lone - piano
• Austin De Lone - guitar
• Austin De Lone - lead vocals
• Austin De Lone - accordion
• Greg Dewey - drums (drum set)
• Greg Dewey - washboard
• Greg Dewey - lead vocals
• Tim Eschliman - washtub bass
• Tim Eschliman - percussion
• Tim Eschliman - guitar
• Tim Eschliman - lead vocals
• Dan Hicks - guitar, lead vocals, original, percussion
• Ken Jacobs - clarinet, original
• Ken Jacobs - original, tenor saxophone
• Blake Richardson - washtub bass
• Blake Richardson - double bass
• Paul Rogers - upright piano
• Paul Rogers - lead vocals
• Paul Rogers - accordion
• Jim Rothermel - clarinet
• Jim Rothermel - tenor saxophone
• Paul Wenninger - washtub bass

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Dan Hicks - Host of the Monday Night Open Mike sessions at the Old Mill Tavern who inspired the band's formation and became a founding member and regular performer (Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks; featured on multiple Christmas Jug Band albums) [1977–present]

Key Collaborators

• Gregory Leroy "Duke Dagreeze" Dewey - Founding member and core musician from Mad River and Country Joe & the Fish (All Christmas Jug Band recordings) [1976–present]
• Nicholas Q. Dewey - Founding member and brother of Duke Dewey; also performed with Bodacious and Rowdy & the Rivets (All Christmas Jug Band recordings) [1976–present]
• Tim Eschliman - Founding member with background in Commander Cody and Etta James; vocal performer and multi-instrumentalist (All Christmas Jug Band recordings; The Fabulous Opinions vocal quartet) [1976–present]
• Paul Wenninger - Founding member and former road manager for Van Morrison; original jug band member (All Christmas Jug Band recordings) [1976–present]
• Austin De Lone - Long-time collaborator with background in Eggs Over Easy, Nick Lowe, and Elvis Costello productions; featured vocalist (Multiple Christmas Jug Band albums; The Fabulous Opinions) [1980s–present]
• Paul Rogers - Collaborator and accordion specialist from Those Darn Accordions! (Christmas Jug Band recordings) [1980s–present]
• Jim Rothermel - Collaborator with credits on Jesse Colin Young and Van Morrison projects (Christmas Jug Band recordings) [1980s–present]
• Angela Strehli - Guest vocalist featured on the Uncorked album (Uncorked album; Putumayo World Music compilation "A Family Christmas") [2000s]
• Maria Muldaur - Guest vocalist featured on the Uncorked album (Uncorked album; Putumayo World Music compilation "A Family Christmas") [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Santa Lost a Ho (Uncorked)
2. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Uncorked)
3. Santa's Workshop (Uncorked)
4. Plant a Santa (Uncorked)
5. Lonesome Reindeer Blues - Parody based on Lonesome Whistle Blues (Uncorked)
6. He's On Holiday In His Mind (Tree Side Hoot)
7. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (Mistletoe Jam)
8. Twas The Night Before Christmas - Traditional, arrangement by Greg Dewey & The Christmas Jug Band (Mistletoe Jam)
9. Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit (Jugology - Greatest Near Misses (Best Of...))
10. Rudolf the Bald Headed Reindeer (Jugology - Greatest Near Misses (Best Of...))

External Links

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