Some Southern Appalachian tunes & Songs
Gooder'n Grits
Fiddle, 2 Banjos & Guitar & Bass,
an Old Time String Band
We play songs of the rural south.
Great songs of love and life and fun.
We play for Dances and Parties.
See the Dance Page
Old time Clogging & Flatfooting demonstrations
Background music for events.
Listen Here:
Buck Mountain & Goin' down to Cairo
Over the Waterfall & Rakes of Mallo
(It is kinda studio-ish. We're much better live.)
Gooder ’n Grits is a local West Michigan old-time band that has a Southern orientation without the twang or drawl. Focusing on the pre-bluegrass era of the Carolinas, we play fiddle and banjo in the Round Peak style made famous by Tommy Jarrell and others.
We have two banjo players who clog and flatfoot, a fiddler and a guitar player, and two married couples whose lives have overlapped in many ways. Bryan Whittemore joined with his base and deep performance credentials.
The music still resonates in our collective memories, rich and sweet and lovely.
We practice real hard, so we know we’ll be Gooder than Grits.
Here at Grand River Folk Arts Society Contra Dance January 1, 2016 with our best bassist Bryan Whittemore.
Feb 14, 2014
"We had so much fun Friday night—and Gooder'n Grits was a hit! We heard from so many people that they truly enjoyed the music and the event.
We loved the music and you guys were great. Stephanie was in awe of your talent—as we all were, but those in our church who had no idea of your band couldn't stop talking about you—or--y'all!
Oh! It was a great night. Thank you again so very very much!"
Paula
Our Youtube Videos
Short Profile:
Gooder’n Grits
Is an Old Time String Band that is inspired by the centuries old fiddle tunes of the upper south. Truly mountain music that is having a revival in the neo rural and urban folk bands. Two banjos, fiddle, guitar and bass bring you back a hundred years to when your family and neighbors gathered on Saturday for food music and dance. Comic songs take you aback with their rural universality, and "the going back home songs" make you long for "Mayberry".
Beware clogging, or flatfoot dancing may break out. A square dance could commence with the energy that emanates from these simple forms. They are definitely Gooder than Grits.
FOR EVENTS AT THE SHAKER BARN, ADA MI
Check out the Dutch River Old Time String Band site for Old Country Love Songs