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Portraits from the road
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Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times
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Name: Tina Liza Jones, 56, Riner
Occupation: Musician
Bio: A native of Geneseo, N.Y., Jones followed her musical muse around the country until settling in Floyd County more than two decades ago. A versatile musician and singer who is a mainstay at jam sessions throughout the New River Valley, Jones currently plays in four bands that run the gamut from bluegrass to Celtic and Cajun. She and her husband, Eric Root, lead the Root Family Band, an old-time outfit for which she plays clawhammer banjo.
Favorite artists: Stanley Brothers (circa 1954), Lonesome River Band (circa 1995), Mac Traynham, Shay Garriock, Trish Kilby and too many others to list.
Quote: "I am a musician. Have never gotten a job after college. Oops, forgot to."
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Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times
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Name: Mac Traynham, 51, Willis
Occupation: Cabinetmaker
Bio: Traynham spent most of his childhood in Oxford, N.C., where his father was a preacher. He obtained two degrees from Virginia Tech in the 1970s, a time when he first discovered the joys of old-time music. A budding bluegrass banjo picker in those days, Traynham switched to the more primitive clawhammer style after attending the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in 1974. He was particularly influenced by Floyd County legends Denton Wimmer (banjo) and Ivan Weddle (fiddle). Traynham excels on a slew of instruments including banjo, fiddle and guitar, and he often performs in a band with wife, Jenny. His new CD, "I'm Going That Way," is on Copper Creek Records.
Favorite artists: Skillet Lickers, Uncle Dave Macon, Tommy Jarrell, Albert Hash, Hobart Smith, Uncle Norm Evans
Quote: "Old-time has that back and forth energy between dancers and music. It's more like a party. Anybody who can keep rhythm can have a good time. You'll probably have a good time even if you can't."
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