About the Artist/Ensemble

Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She grew up in the musical Spencer family and learned to play several instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, dulcimer, mandolin) and flatfoot/clog at a young age. She performs and has recorded with various groups and has been involved with several roots music projects. She has played shows, festivals and led workshops across the US, Australia, UK, and Europe. The Martha Spencer Band features a rotating group of talented regional musicians.

Unique Sounds of the Mountain–Martha Spencer & Larry Sigmon: Larry Sigmon used to perform with Barbara Poole. Throughout their eighteen-year career, Larry’s strong vocals and Barbara’s double-slap bass, performed at the Carter Family Fold, the Grand Ole Opry, and mountain music festivals throughout the South, becoming one of the most popular bands in the Blue Ridge Mountains until Barbara passed away in 2008 after a long struggle with cancer. Larry had quit performing until old-time musician and advocate Martha Spencer arrived to interview him for her online documentary project, Mountain Music Magazine. During their interview, Martha encouraged Larry to play some tunes, joining him on bass and playing Barbara’s signature spirited double-slap style. The two took to each other immediately, and the “Unique Sound” was reborn.

Martha Spencer and The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is an area rich in the old time music tradition; this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop regions style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style. At the same time, Whitetop Mountain Band shows are very versatile and entertaining containing everything from fiddle/banjo instrumentals to powerful solos and harmony vocals on blues, classic country, honky tonk, traditional bluegrass numbers, old timey ballads, originals, and four part mountain gospel songs. Shows also include flat foot dancing. The band is well known for their high energy and charisma on stage.

Concert/Performance Description

Professional sound system & stage lighting required. For workshops hardwood floor preferred. Contact artist for specifics.

Educational Programs

Flatfoot Dancing Workshops: Martha demonstrates a variety of flatfoot dance steps in an easy to learn method, with each step broken down into chapters, slow and fast, also can feature live music accompaniment and a brief history of the dance tradition of Virginia.

Audience

• All Ages