Clifton Roy & Folkstringer are a 5-piece Americana band from Chicago, complete with vocals, acoustic guitar, upright bass, mandolin and percussion. CR&F have infused bluegrass, blues and country into a strong roots foundation guided by luminaries such as Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan and Hank Williams Sr. One fellow from Nashville described their sound as, "Nickel Creek with more balls."
4 out of the 5 members grew up within half a mile of each other and began playing music together at the age of 16. Clif approaches songwriting with a maniacal zest and is currently locked in his room listening to Johnny Cash with a bottle of sour mash bourbon whiskey. Christie McClure, the band's harmony vocalist (whom Clif affectionately refers to as "Mamas") has been on a steady diet of Alison Kraus, Emmy Lou Harris and late, late nights. Gregory Morland's mandolin is steeped in Jazz. He can be found, weather regardless, on his front porch playing hornpipes, jigs, and breakdowns. "Crazy Licks" Craig Hauge seems hellbent on breaking from the traditions of the upright (double) bass, which hangs precariously out the back window of his '97 Toyota Camry on gig nights. David "Chewie" Rothenberg won his seat in the band by playing a murder ballad with mallets. Continuously disappointed by the band's lack of resemblance to Led Zeppelin, he still swears to the necessity of the gong recently added to his drum kit.
CR&F's first recording, "Live at The Ashbary", was released in 2007 and quickly sold out. Their full-length studio venture "Where the Rock Meets the Rail" was released independently in May 2008 and features over one hour of original music.
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