The Coal Porters. What a name. It is a wonder no one got to it first, but then Sid Griffin is just the kind of wunderkind that would have a band named so cleverly. And for Sid, it has been a glittering list of engagements, some with illustrious band names like the Long Ryders and Western Electric. He is a pro golfer, broadcaster with BBC credits under his belt, internationally recognized authority on Gram Parsons, and just put his fourth book out, Shelter from the Storm: Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Years. Oh yeah, and he performs solo too! Sid is Kentucky born, and a sixties punk band denizen in the band The Unclaimed, before the Long Ryders came into existence. Sid now resides in London, where the Coal Porters are the leading Alt. Bluegrass band, and where his Western Electric plays both kinds of music: country and EASTERN! You can read more about his history in the EXPLOITS page of his website. 

Photo Credit: Michael Clement

The Coal Porters formed in 1992, relocating from Los Angeles to London, and from electric to acoustic. Their latest CD, Durango, came out in January and was produced by the legendary Ed Stasium with cameo appearances from Peter Rowan and Tim O'Brien. They came to Music Fog dressed for British Invasion success, when we brought them to our Sweet Suite at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown. They danced, troupe-like into our consciousness. Sid Griffin on vocals & mandolin, Neil Robert Herd on guitar & vocals, Carly Frey on fiddle & vocals, Andrew Stafford on double bass, and Dick Smith on banjo & vocals, who is leaving to join a new band called Burning Desire. And so the Coal Porters are actively looking for a new banjo player extraordinaire, so if you know of one (or you ARE one) reach out to them via their website. Their next U.S. gig will be February's Folk Alliance in Memphis. Just think, you could be making the trip, that is if you play banjer! Maybe we'll see you there. In the meantime, we revisit Nashville from last month during Americana Fest!

- Jessie Scott