What was eventually to become the Rutherford County Stumblers began in 1996 near Annapolis, Md, as the Arundel County Ramblers. Inspired by David Grobanie on clawhammer banjo, Ramblers became Stumblers, and Clifftop 2001 found fiddle players, Alvin & Sligh, brainstorming a Tennessee chapter. After a partiularly wild night of cajun two-stepping, and blackberry brandy, David gave his blessing, and the Rutherford County Stumblers were born. The next two years were spent coalescing from a regular jam session, into a tight, relentless, hillbilly string-unit. Many were those who picked a tune, but when the smoke cleared from the Oasis bonfires, Brian & Brian were firmly positioned, armed with banjo & guitar. The most recent draft saw The RC Stumblers pick up the multi-talented players Tiffany, Doug and Evan, leading to a high expectation of success this festival season. You may run across Stumblers this summer at Union Grove, Mt. Airy, Clifftop, Galax, Bonnaroo, Tazwell, Uncle Dave Macon Days or Oasis. Also, these Stumblers seem to pop up almost anywhere, jamming Soldier's Joy whenever you'd least expect it. So, keep your fiddles crossed!
