Virginia Ground

Bristol, VA USA

January 03, 2005

41,424 plays
46,040 views

A unique sound from this five member acoustic band with songs ranging from drivin' rock to sultry ballads.  More sound from an acoustic six-string, a bull fiddle, and a harmonica than seems legal, forming a style that's just Virginia Ground.

Band/artist history

Virginia Ground is an eclectic acoustic band comprised of talents from Glade Spring, Abingdon and Bristol, Virginia.  Band members include lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Jamen Denton and brother Justin Denton on the drums.  Vocalists Jon McGlocklin, Ben Smith with harmonica, and Joshua Young playing the double bass round out the energetic show performed by this unique quintet.  The band strives to appeal to a wide variety of music lovers. Their musical style encompasses original songs to timeless favorites by renowned artists in blue grass, rock, blues, country and folk ballads. Virginia Ground's music is influenced by the likes of Dylan, The Band, The Grateful Dead, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Old Crow Medicine Show to name a few. Audiences explode with enthusiasm when the band performs songs with Appalachian interests.

Virginia Ground debuted at the 2004 New Year's Eve celebration at the Damascus Old Mill Restaurant.  Since then, the band has taken off with performances where they have appeared with numerous acts including The Larry Keel Experience, Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Code Talkers, David Via and Corn Tornado Scott Miller and the Commonewalth, and Acoustic Syndicate.  In addition, Virginia Ground has been featured at local venues including Down Home, Ireson's Pub, Vinyard, Damon's, Wither's Hardware Company, The State Line Bar & Grille, The Sophisticated Otter, and Damascus Old Mill Restaurant. The band regularly performs at these establishments plus many more.  Virginia Ground performed three great shows during the 2004 The Rhythm and Roots Festival in downtown Bristol.

Virginia Ground recently competed and won first place in a regional competition, 2004 Battle of the Bands, at Ireson's Pub.  Virginia Ground has recently released the band's first album and the CD is available at shows or online.

Virginia Ground was featured on the CMT presentation "Most Shocking: Moonshine Madness" televised frequently this fall.  On the show, the band performed their song "Wreckless Man."

Have you performed in front of an audience?

No longer playing.

Your musical influences

The Band, Dylan, Steve Earle, Old Crow Medicine Show, Stevie Ray Vaughn...

What equipment do you use?

Taylor acoustic six-string, Cremona double bass, Drums, and a lunchbox full of Harmonicas.

#alternative #acoustic #country #americana #virginia #harmonica #whiskey #ground