North Florida Taildraggers
A large handfull of friends and musicians having fun playing bluegrass and original tunes.
The seeds of the group that became the North Florida Taildraggers were first planted at a conference. The story goes that Trey Brewer and a handful of other Northeast Florida musicians attended an International Bluegrass Musicians Association conference and had a great time. Afterward, they wanted to keep the fun and music going, so they started a regular Monday night jam session.
Bluegrass jam sessions tend to grow into bands, and—since Trey Brewer is a pilot and a jam session or two may have been held in a hangar—this band became the North Florida Taildraggers.
The band members are Trey Brewer on mandolin and vocals; Jan Brewer, a biologist by day and upright bassist at night; Maggie Widner, an experienced classical and bluegrass violinist on fiddle and vocals; Justin Lane on guitar and vocals; Ben Lepera on dobro and vocals; and Paige Bechtold on banjo. Simply listing the musicians doesn't do the band justice. Each has played with other groups, participated in folk festivals, and developed a following. Their performances are lifted by bluegrass instrumental solos, outstanding vocal harmonies, and frequent guests who drop in for a song or three.
Trey Brewer performs frequently in the area as a solo act and with Northeast Florida music organizations, and has formed a smaller group called the Taildragger Ultralite.
