Beehive Field Recordings: The Wildmans
The Wildmans come from the hills of Floyd, Virginia, the heart of the Appalachian mountain music tradition.
From campsite jamming at festivals and fiddler’s conventions and classical music education comes the foundation for musical exploration that sets this group apart, taking the audience on a musical journey that reflects the growth and passion of these talented young musicians.
The band features:
• Siblings Eli (mandolin) and Aila Wildman (fiddle)— both individual winners at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention—Eli 2019 and 2018, and Aila 2018 as well as winners in 2018 of “Best All Around Perfomer” award.
• Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo) winner of the 2019 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, and 1st place winner at Galax 2019, 2015 & 2016.
• Sean Newman (bass /vocals) (Dharma Bombs) — joining the band for the 2019 season!
They regularly represent the young talent found along the Crooked Road in regional fiddler’s conventions, and have appeared at festivals such as Red Wing Roots, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ festival, RoosterWalk, Floyd Fest, and The Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mountain Song Festival.
Beehive first met Eli and Aila Wildman in 2015 when they were part of “Music Lab at the Jefferson Center” a mentoring program that pairs young talent with world-class performers. This Field Recording features a “Before and After” of the Wildman siblings captured at the Floyd Country Store in 2015, when they were 12 and 15 years-old, as well as their current ensemble captured this past July (2019) at FloydFest.
The Wildmans – 2019
Eli and Aila Wildman – 2015
Instagram: @TheWildmans
Facebook: The Wildmans
