Foghorn Stringband

Lore & Background

The founding members Stephen 'Sammy' Lind and Caleb Klauder met at The National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest in Weiser, Idaho in 2000. The band has always been known as Foghorn Stringband, with Stephen 'Sammy' Lind on fiddle and vocals, P. T. Grover, Jr. on banjo, Caleb Klauder on mandolin and vocals, and Brian Bagdonas on bass. This lineup lasted from 2001 to approximately 2008 and is featured on the albums Rattlesnake Tidal Wave (2002), Reap What You Sow, and Weiser Sunrise.

From 2008–2009 Lind and Klauder toured as a duo and released Lonesome Song under the name Foghorn Duo. The lineup changed back to a full string band from 2009–2011, with Patrick Lindley on rhythm guitar and vocals, Peter Leone on banjo and vocals, and later Nadine Landry on bass and vocals (joining around 2011). While the full string band recorded during this era, there are no released albums. Lind, Klauder, and Landry toured as a trio and released Sud de la Louisiane under the name Foghorn Trio in 2011. In the winter of 2011, Reeb Willms joined on vocals and guitar. The current lineup from 2011 to present is Lind, Klauder, Landry, and Willms, with recordings Outshine the Sun (2012), Devil in the Seat (2015), and Rock Island Grange (2018).

Reader's Guide

Foghorn Stringband has performed at festivals worldwide, including the Shetland Folk Festival in Shetland, UK, the Orkney Folk Festival in Orkney, UK, and in Ireland, Denmark, Finland, and Malaysia. U.S. appearances include the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, the Alaska Folk Festival, and the Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival. Members also perform as the Foghorn Duo (mandolin and fiddle) and the Foghorn Trio (mandolin, fiddle, and Nadine Landry on guitar), and with Dirk Powell as the Dirk Powell Band. The band's discography includes self-released albums and a major-label release on Nettwerk America. Their significance lies in their intense dedication to the sources of old-time tradition, blending Appalachian dance music with punk energy and technical finesse, which has earned them recognition as one of the finest old-time string bands on the West Coast. Their legacy is carried forward through solo projects by members, such as Caleb Klauder's country band and educational fiddle DVDs by Stephen Lind.

Did You Know?

• Only Stephen 'Sammy' Lind and Caleb Klauder met at The National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest in Weiser, Idaho in 2000.
• The band has always been known as Foghorn Stringband, not Foghorn Leghorn.
• Their music is described as a blend of high-spirited Appalachian dance music with the energy and edginess of punk rock.
• They have performed in Malaysia, Denmark, Finland, and the UK.

Origins & Formation

Foghorn Stringband traces its roots to a fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho, where the future founding members first crossed paths in 2000 at the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest. The group initially went by the name Foghorn Leghorn, with a core quartet of Stephen "Sammy" Lind handling fiddle and lead vocals, P. T. Grover, Jr. on banjo, Caleb Klauder on mandolin and vocals, and Brian Bagdonas anchoring the low end on bass. A fifth member, part-time guitarist Jesse Withers, filled out the early rhythm section before being succeeded by Kevin Sandri, who brought both rhythm guitar and singing to the ensemble. This five-piece configuration held steady from 2001 until roughly 2008, producing a string of recordings during that period. In September 2002, the group rebranded to Foghorn Stringband and began releasing music on their own Foghorn Music imprint, establishing the identity under which they would become one of the West Coast's most celebrated old-time acts.

Musical Identity & Sound

Based in Portland, Oregon, Foghorn Stringband has earned a reputation as one of the premier old-time string bands on the American West Coast. What sets them apart is a dual commitment: an intense, almost scholarly devotion to the original sources of the old-time tradition, paired with a performance energy that listeners have compared to punk rock. Their sound is described as a high-spirited fusion of Appalachian dance music and the raw textures of traditional mountain fiddle tunes, yet delivered with a technical finesse that elevates every phrase. Rather than treating old-time as a museum piece, the band channels the edginess and urgency of a modern rock show while honoring the melodic and rhythmic DNA of the source material. This tension between reverence and rebellion gives their sets a distinctive electricity, making them a favorite at both traditional fiddle gatherings and broader folk festivals alike.

Global Festival Circuit

Foghorn Stringband's live career extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest. The band has headlined folk festivals on multiple continents, including the Shetland Folk Festival in the Shetland Islands and the Orkney Folk Festival in Orkney, both in the United Kingdom. Their European footprint also reaches Ireland, Denmark, and Finland, while their reach into Asia includes performances in Malaysia. Back in the United States, they have been regular fixtures at major old-time and bluegrass events such as the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention in California, the Alaska Folk Festival, and the Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival. This breadth of touring—from the remote Scottish isles to the American interior—underscores how the band's blend of traditional Appalachian roots and high-octane delivery resonates with audiences across very different cultural contexts. Their willingness to carry old-time string band music to stages where it is not the dominant genre has helped introduce the style to new listeners worldwide.

Evolving Lineups & Discography

Since 2000, Foghorn Stringband has cycled through several configurations, each leaving its mark on the group's catalog. After the original five-piece era ended around 2008, Lind and Klauder toured as the Foghorn Duo (mandolin and fiddle) and released Lonesome Song. A subsequent full-band lineup from 2009 to 2011 added Patrick Lind on rhythm guitar, Peter Leone on banjo, and Nadine Landry on bass, though no albums were issued during that stretch. The Foghorn Trio—Lind, Klauder, and Landry—recorded Sud de la Louisiane in 2011. In winter 2011, Reeb Willms joined on vocals and rhythm guitar, solidifying the quartet that has remained intact to the present day. This current iteration produced Outshine the Sun (2012), Devil in the Seat (2015), and Rock Island Grange (2018). Members also pursue side projects, including the Dirk Powell Band, Klauder's country band, and various duo pairings, keeping the Foghorn musical universe in constant motion.