The Tallboys are a four piece old time string band based in Seattle, WA. Well versed in traditional fiddle tunes and mountain songs, The Tallboys perform their music with driving rhythm and soaring melodies. They are honest to their traditional inspirations, yet charge up their sound with a raw edge of gritty enthusiasm conjured from their years of street performing.
Talented vocalists, The Tallboys all share the singing and harmonize to create a beautifully authentic old time sound. The instrumental line-up begins with Joe Fulton, from Iowa, who has been playing since boyhood. His impressive fiddling leads the melody. Charlie Beck, from Indiana, plays both clawhammer and three-finger style banjo and brings over a decade of musical experience to the band. He is also a talented songwriter, creating several original compositions. Longtime musician John Hurd, from Oregon, lays down that driving bass foundation essential to The Tallboys’ rhythm. Charmaine Slaven, from Montana, fills out the sound with solid rhythm guitar and is one of the best clog dancers on the west coast. She has the unique ability to clog and play guitar simultaneously. Together, they blend the attributes of each instrument and vocalist, creating a cohesive sound.
Performing since 2003, they have released three albums and a fourth is expected in early 2007. The Tallboys have received outstanding reviews and press from many well-respected individuals in the music industry. The band has received continuously increasing airplay nationwide, and has recently been featured on Puget Sound Public Radio KUOW 94.9 “The Beat” and Seattle’s country music station KMPS 94.1 “Ichabod and the Waking Crew”. The Tallboys perform at numerous music festivals 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, San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival, Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival, Fremont Solstice Fair, and many others.
The Tallboys are a grassroots independent band and have strong ties to the community, donating performances for local nonprofit fundraisers and events. Additionally, they have been instrumental in gaining recognition for Seattle’s local old time music scene, and continue to involve young people with old music by hosting a monthly square dance and jam at the Tractor Tavern.
The CricketSoda Profile Editor
