Mac Benford

The string band and bluegrass tradition was played with the enthusiasm of modern music by clawhammer banjo player Mac Benford. A founding member of the Highwoods Stringband, Benford played a key role in the old-time revival of the 1970s. With subsequent groups such as the Woodshed All-Stars, he continued to breathe new life into an old musical genre. Although Benford was initially attracted to the American folk music of the late '50s, he quickly became absorbed by the sounds of traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo tunes. Shortly after moving to Ithaca, New York, in 1972,...