In the world of bluegrass music, Chatham County Line still seems young even though this is the 20th anniversary of the band's formation.
Particularly remarkable is the fact that the original quartet has remained together through two decades. They are Dave Wilson, vocals and guitar; John Teer, mandolin, fiddle and vocals; Greg Readling, upright bass and vocals; and Chandler Holt, banjo and vocals.
If you go
› What: Chatham County Line› Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16› Admission: $15 in advance, $18 the day of the show› For more info: 423-624-LEGS
The band members met in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it remains their home base. To the surprise of many, Raleigh is not in Chatham County - it's the county next door.
The band is very much in the bluegrass tradition of guitar-mandolin-banjo-bass instrumentation, but the quartet has forged their own path via the songwriting of guitarist and lead vocalist, Dave Wilson. Prior to delving into bluegrass, their backgrounds were in rock, which has contributed to their contemporary elements and focus on original material.
"We play traditional music," Wilson says, "but we can't erase all the music that's been created over the last 60 years. We can't be a time machine band. We can't pretend it's still the 1940s."
Chatham County Line has been featured several times at the Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival.
The band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.
"We feel fortunate that as their stature has risen in the worlds of bluegrass and Americana, they still are coming back to Barking Legs," says Bruce Kaplan, Barking Legs music director.
"The intimacy of the theater fits them beautifully."
Tickets are $15 general admission in advance online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4064193 or $18 day of the show.
For more information: 423-624-LEGS.