The Dust Busters
| The Down Hill Strugglers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York |
| Genres | Old-time, folk |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Jalopy Records |
| Website | www.downhillstrugglers.com |
| Members | Eli Smith Walker Shepard Jackson Lynch |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Harmonica, Pump Organ, Autoharp | |
The Down Hill Strugglers, previously known as the Dust Busters, is an old-time string band trio from Brooklyn, New York. Forming in 2008, they are influenced by the music that came out of rural America, including Appalachian traditions, music from the Deep South, and the Western States. They combine the feeling of the old music that can be heard on commercially recorded 78 RPM records (largely of the pre-WWII era) and field recordings made throughout the 20th century. The band was originally made up of Craig Judelman, Eli Smith, and Walker Shepard. In 2012 Craig Judelman left the Dust Busters and was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Jackson Lynch. At that time, the band changed its name to The Down Hill Strugglers.
Eli and Walker met while hanging out at the home Peter Stampfel of The Holy Modal Rounders where they also met John Cohen of The New Lost City Ramblers,they met fiddler/multi-instrumentalist Jackson Lynch while hanging around the New York folk music scene at the Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn.
Eli Smith produces his own internet radio show and blog called “Down Home Radio” which is dedicated to the sounds of folk music. He has also founded two festivals to promote old-time music in New York City: The Brooklyn Folk Festival and The Washington Square Park Folk Festival. He also teaches banjo to individuals and to classes at the Jalopy Theatre and School of Music in Brooklyn. While giving lessons to his students, he was interviewed on "Caught in the Act," on Brooklyn Independent Television on techniques for five string banjo players.
Walker Shepard developed a love for old-time music by listening to past voices such as Roscoe Holcomb, Gaither Carlton, Fiddlin' John Carson, and B.F. Shelton. By listening to past musicians, he has developed a personal style that fits into old-time music, but also allows younger generations to relate and connect to the music.
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