Stuart Whitford
Given a trumpet by his uncle, a high school band director, Stuart Whitford began playing music in elementary school. His interests branched to guitar and folk music by high school and college. Through the 1970s and early 80s, he sang and played guitar, mandolin, and dobro in various bands throughout North Carolina, California, Florida, and Tennessee. This part of Whitford’s performing career culminated in a three year stint with Our Gang, the unofficial house band of the renowned Down Home Pickin’ Parlor in Johnson City, Tennessee.
After moving to Fredericksburg, Stuart has performed widely as a solo act and with the groups Vertical Land, Woodpile, Stony Man, and most recently, Joshua Road. Stuart was a finalist in the New Folk Competition at the 2001 Kerrville Folk Fest. He has performed at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage and several times at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.