In the spring of 2002, Brian Badgett, David Emery, and Karen Ephyria began playing music togther purely for their own pleasure, under a tree next to the rock garden out on Brian’s farm. While playing to an audience of birds, rabbits, and deer, they quickly discovered that they have in common a fondness for old-time music: Delta blues, bluegrass and mountain music, and classic folk/spiritual standards.

The three soon began to accumulate a large repertoire of songs. Later that same year, they decided to seek public performance opportunities. Because they believe that the American roots music they love to play is stylistically influenced by a sense of place, they decided to call themselves the Rock Garden String Band in honor of the place where their particular brand of “home-grown” music was born. On September 14, 2002, the band made its debut on the legendary Bean Blossom stage at Bill Monroe Music Park.

Program 612

Sculptor Chris Strecker, the Frazier Historical Arms Museum in Louisville, and the Rock Garden String Band. (#612)

Program 823

Author Silas House, artists Helen LaFrance and Ed Hamilton, a jazz ensemble of Russian exchange students at the University of Louisville, and the Rock Garden String Band. (#823)