Patchwork
Long known as "Florida's flatpickin', fiddlin', females," the band now includes a male keyboardist.
From Gainesville, Patchwork has performed all over Florida for more than 20 years, originally as the Patchwork Girls. They still sing in multi-part harmony and the long-time band members wow the audiences with outstanding musicianship.
Each band member has performed professionally as a solo act or with other groups. Some have won prestigious songwriting awards, and others have won awards for their musicianship. All members are committed to music education and participate in, and lead workshops at, schools and festivals.
This acoustic string band includes Cathy DeWitt, on guitar, piano, and vocals; Janet Rucker on guitar, banjo, and vocals; Jolene Jones on mandolin, percussion, and vocals; Annie McPherson on acoustic bass; and David Cook on dobro, guitar, and sometimes pedal steel. Tammy Murray, co-founder of the band and long-time lead performer, is now listed as Musician Emeritus.
During every show, the band performs old songs and new ones. While the instruments and harmonies lean toward traditional bluegrass, the songs and rhythms cross into country, jazz, and a more modern bluegrass sound. Similarly, their sets will have original songs, songs by Duke Ellington, the Dixie Chicks, and traditional bluegrass tunes.
