Steel City Jug Slammers Gaining National Audience

BIRMINGHAM, AL - It may be a lost art, or a piece of music history that has been forgotten over decades of technological advancement in the music industry, but the old fashioned jug band is still alive and well in Birmingham - at least with one particular group of local musicians. The Steel City Jug Slammers made a name for themselves locally about four years ago, hitting the lively Birmingham music scene with a splash, but now, with a new album, extensive touring and the band's recent induction into the Jug Band Hall of Fame, the local band is making a national name for themselves.

The Steel City Jug Slammers are Ramblin' Ricky Tate (Mandolin/ Banjitar), Washtub Jay (Bass), G.W. Henderson (Guitar/ Fiddle), Anthony Suttonwood (Banjo/ Harmonica), TyJo (Washboard), and A.B. Glubrecht (Fiddle). The band has toured the United States and Canada over the last two years and been able to delight audiences with original music from an era mostly forgotten in today's music scene.

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The band's new album, Tall Tales, was released this year and has already received rave reviews. Tall Tales includes 10 original jug band tunes written in style of traditional old time jug music. Recorded locally with Shane Hopsin., the album includes banjo, mandolin, guitar, washtub bass, kazoo, and - of course - the jug. The songs, written by Ramblin' Ricky Tate and Washtub Jay, include stories of the band's travels, and folklore of Birmingham, with tales of Sloss Furnaces and the lost mining industry.

The band has upcoming shows in Knoxville, Nashville, Louisville and New Orleans, among other tour dates.

Photo via Steel City Jug Slammers