Smokey’s Farmland Band
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Smokey’s Farmland Band is based in Atlanta, but named after a 200-acre farm near the town of LaFayette in northwest Georgia. Smokey Caldwell’s farm is a rallying point for many of the cavers who explore the magnificent underground caverns of neighboring Pigeon Mountain and is a popular venue for music festivals. Smokey’s Farmland Band was formed in 2004 when friends who played music and camped out together on Smokey’s land decided to collaborate and further their music. Ian, Justin and Jared played enough music up there that folks on the farm started calling them Smokey’s Farmland Band [SFB]. In November of 2005, Trey Gibbs heard these guys picking on a porch in the Atlanta neighborhood of Cabbagetown during the Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-off and Bluegrass Festival. Everyone started jamming and before long the festival crew invited them onto the stage for a 45 minute set.
Rurik Nunan joined on fiddle in 2007 right when the band’s repertoire began to broaden from traditional bluegrass music. During the winter of 2008 the band developed a focus on original music and began to incorporate their songs into their performances. By 2009 they had enough songs rehearsed to begin recording a CD at Namaste Studios. Their first album, 80 Mile Getaway, has 11 original songs and was completed in winter 2010. The instrumental tracks “Sundance” and “Calm Before the Storm” were put in rotation as background music by The Weather Channel’s Local on the 8s programming. A second CD, “Live Positive”, was completed in 2012 and showcases 2 original songs and 8 traditional tracks. A 5 song EP, “Paradise”, was recorded in St. Croix US Virgin Islands with friend and songwriter Nate Olive and completed in early 2014. This year also saw the transition of Kenny Lambert, State of Georgia Fiddle Champion 2012, taking over the fiddle duties. Smokey’s Farmland Band blends musical influences ranging from bluegrass to gypsy jazz to Cajun, creating a progressive sound they like to call “Goodtime Eclectic Bluegrass”. While they enjoy venturing outside the realm of the traditional, they still respect the roots of bluegrass, and retain the energy and twang of mountain music.
A typical set features original tunes, good ol’ pickin numbers, and some unexpected covers too. It all comes together in an exciting genre-bending
style that keeps listeners on their toes, and on the dance floor! Among many accomplishments, SFB has opened for Willie Nelson at a sold out House Of Blues New Orleans, Sam Bush at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, and recently shared the bill for Del Yeah! with The Del McCoury Band and others. They have also opened for the Emmitt-Nershi Band and The Freight Hoppers, and shared the stage with numerous Atlanta and touring bluegrass bands. The band has traveled to Colorado, DC, NYC, and even St. Croix for performances, winning new fans at stops along the way. Their music is dedicated to the festival experience, camping and dancing in community, out of the way places that retain their beauty, live performance, and people who appreciate getting back to the farm from time to time.
