Cache Valley Drifters

Formed in 1972 and active sporadically in various forms to this day, The Cache Valley Drifters are a time-honored bluegrass and folk ensemble. Based out of Santa Barbara with humble origins of casual jam sessions, the group brought a laid-back, west coast approach to the bluegrass sound of the late 70s.

The group was first put on record as the backing band for influential San Francisco folk singer Kate Wolf on her second record, 1977’s Lines on the Paper. Two years later they made their own debut with a self-titled album for Flying Fish Records featuring a selection of folk, bluegrass and country classics alongside more unlikely selections of songs by John Prine and Bob Marley. From that point on, The Cache Valley Drifters continued to challenge the standard bluegrass repertoire by performing music as varied as jazz standards by Benny Goodman and Ray Noble, rock songs by The Flying Burrito Brothers and Paul Simon, and favorites by their late friend and collaborator Kate Wolf.

Their 1996 album for CMH takes its name from a song by psychedelic rock band Cream. On White Room, The Cache Valley Drifters revisit a few favorites with over two decades of experience together behind them. The band is captured with a striking clarity and warmth while they survey the most tried-and-true numbers in their repertoire.

The group’s modern and unconventional approach to bluegrass helped breathe new life into the genre across the years. The group performed a tribute to Kate Wolf in Berkeley in 2017 alongside an additional set of performances around the bay. Several members continue to perform to this day.