The Hump Night Thumpers

Category: Artist
Time period: Present day

Date nominated: May 4, 2011
Date inducted: Sep 1, 2020
Ratings: 5
Average rating: 3.85

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When Arlo Leach started an eight-week jug band class at the Old Town School of Folk Music in January 2005, he didn't expect the same group of students to sign up again and again. But after a few sessions of jug band addiction, the class had gelled enough to start booking gigs around town under the name The Hump Night Thumpers -- a reference to their Wednesday night meeting time.

Leach led the class until mid-2009, when he turned it over to Jonas Friddle, another OTS teacher and a member of the Bare Hand Jug Band. As of mid-2011, the class has had some turnover in membership, but is still going strong.

Highlights of the Thumpers' activities so far include:

- Performing on the main stage at the 2005 Chicago Folk and Roots festival -- the first student group to do so

- Writing and recording the theme song for the live comedy game show Don't Spit the Water

- Winning the 2007 Minneapolis Battle of the Jug Bands

- Performing in an authentic vaudeville show at the historic Watseka (Illinois) Theater in 2008

- Traveling to Memphis in 2008 to help dedicate a gravestone for Will Shade

- Releasing a full-length album in 2008, Hare of the Jug

With members ranging in age from high schoolers to retirees and ranging in experience from seasoned musicians to raw beginners, the Hump Night Thumpers has given a hands-on jug band experience to approximately 40 members and hundreds of fans over the years.

And the lead sheet repository on their website remains popular with jug band musicians around the world! Take a look at http://www.humpnightthumpers.com

Photos

Personnel

Songs