The Tallboys are a Seattle based old time string band whose sound takes you back to rural America of the early 1900’s when the only music often heard was homemade. Living rooms were dance halls and the musicians were your neighbors. The Tallboys bring forth this distinctive music of the past to modern day audiences with passionate energy and youthful spirit, immersing their audiences in a vibrant, living tradition.
Brought together though a mutual love of old time music, The Tallboys started playing together in 2003. Their career is rooted in street performance, and their energetic shows draw crowds, get toes tapping, and people dancing whether on the sidewalk or the stage.
The Tallboys sound begins with fiddler, Joe Fulton. Playing since he was a boy growing up in Iowa, the unique wail of his fiddle leads the melody in the inst
rumental lineup. Weaving the melody to the rhythm of the band is clawhammer & three-finger style banjo player, Charlie Beck. Hailing from Indiana, Charlies been playing banjo & guitar for over ten years and is also a talented songwriter, creating many of the bands original tunes. Laying down the essential foundation of the band is bassist John Hurd, from Oregon. His robust bass beat is what fills out each tune and drives it onward. Charmaine Slaven, from Montana, joined the band in 2005. She plays solid rhythm guitar and also performs energetic Appalachian clog dancing. Former band members, Robert Adesso and Paul McGowen contributed skillful rhythm guitar & mandolin to many of the band's recordings. And theres singing too. Songs of love, murder, sinning and salvation sung alone or in harmony by all of the Tallboys, recounting old stories and truths that still resonate today.
The Tallboys have played numerous festivals and venues in the Northwest including Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival, Northwest String Summit (winners of the 2004 band contest), Portland’s Pickathon Roots Music Festival, The Portland Old Time Gathering, & the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival. They also play regularly at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern, Connor Byrne Pub, Pike’s Place Market, local farmers markets, community square dances, and many private events. The band was also featured on Seattle’s country music station KMPS 94.1 “Ichabod and the Waking Crew” August 3rd, 2005, and Puget Sound Public Radio KUOW 94.9 “The Beat” September 29, 2004 & again March 10, 2006.
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a Tallboys performance. It’ll be an unforgettable experience that will take you back while lifting your spirits up!
*Note: There is also a second band named The Tallboys that play fast pop-punk, and are based out of the Chicagoland area.
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