The Wildmans

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https://www.facebook.com/TheWildmans/

“ The dazzling Floyd-based quartet The Wildmans features wunderkind brother-and-sister duo Eli and Aila Wildman on mandolin and fiddle, along with their mom, Deb Wildman, on upright bass and Victor Furtado, a close family friend, on banjo. The Wildmans have been sweeping youth competitions at traditional music festivals and wowing audiences with their fresh take on traditional music, along with Aila’s stunning vocals, which bring in blues and jazz elements.”–LoudonNow

The up and coming Neo traditional string band, The Wildmans, come from the one stop light town, Floyd, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian mountain music tradition. From campsite jamming at festivals and fiddler’s conventions and classical music education comes the foundation for musical exploration that sets this group apart, taking the audience on a musical journey that reflects the growth and passion of these talented young musicians.

All three young players in the group have earned many awards, including the famed Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention, in 2018 Aila Wildman won Best All Around Performer Award along with 1st place in Old Time Fiddle, Eli Wildman won 1st place in Mandolin (2018), and Victor Furtado won 1st place in clawhammer banjo (2015 and 2016). Joining the group this season will be multi instrumentalist Sean Newman, on upright bass and vocals.

Highly skilled instrumentals and soulful vocals applied to traditional tunes with a smattering of old time, bluegrass, blues, and jazz combine to create a fresh new sound – old tunes fueled by young spirit. Their set combines fiddle tunes, ballads and folk songs of the Appalachian tradition with twentieth century classics, as well as original instrumental compositions by band members Eli and Victor.

The group has appeared on stages large and small, performing in festivals such as Red Wing Roots, Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ festival, RoosterWalk, Floyd Fest, and The Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival. They also regularly represent young talent along the Crooked Road in regional fiddler’s conventions. Having shared the stage with talents such as The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Steel Wheels, Danny Knicely, Sammy Shelor, Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, Darol Anger and Joe K. Walsh, these young musicians are making their way in the American stringband scene.