About The Juggernaut Jug Band

What do you get when you blend jazz, blues ragtime, swing and original music with washboards, washtubs, kazoos, jugs and various other sundry hardware? Nothing less than the strange concoction called the JUGGERNAUT JUG BAND.

With the release of 7 C.D’s, “Jugstaposition”, “Don’t Try This At Home”, “Perhaps You Don’t Recognize Us”, “Christmas Covers”, “As We Like It”, “Live Lunch”, and their newest, “You Mean We Get Paid For This”, more and more people will be “recognizing” them. Over the years, they have appeared with Leon Russell, Arlo Guthrie, John Hartford, Jonathan Edwards, Riders In the Sky, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tom Paxton and many others.

THE JUGGERNAUT JUG BAND is: Roscoe Goose on jug, vocals, washboard, trumpet, blues harp and snare drum Skip Tracer on vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo, Smiley Habanero on vocals, guitar, kazoo and mandolin Nick O’Time on vocals, acoustic and, washtub bass and kazoo.

While members of the band are accomplished musicians, “They don’t let virtuosity get in the way of having fun.” (Washington Post) Each performance is a challenge to the audience to have as much fun as the band. Don’t let their antics fool you though. Their exuberant music is the result of skillfully conceived arrangements and unique vocal harmonies.

Recently they have played The Kentucky State Fair (9th yr.) Delta Queen River Boat, Caesars, Gand Victori and Argosy casinos, Master Musicians Festival, Kent State Folk Festival, Great American Music Fest (Branson, MO) Blissfest, MI, Henderson Pavilion, NV, Nat’l. Jug Band Jubilee (3rd Yr) Strawberry Folk Fest, Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Las Vegas Jazz Festival, Dollywood, Millennium Center, B.C. Canada, Chautaugua Institution (NY), Tahoe Music Festival (NV), ArtsQuest (PA), numerous colleges and universities and appeared in “As you Like It”, Actors’ Theatre, Louisville, KY, and was selected to showcase at PAE (Performing Arts Exchange) 2000 & 2006 and CAPACOA in CANADA. They have been selected for inclusion in the KY Arts Council Performing Arts Directory (10th yr.)

Stu 'Roscoe Goose' Helm

Roscoe was introduced to jug band music when he was fifteen.
He's been "jugging" ever since, playing jug, washboard, kazoo, nose flute, harmonica and trumpet. Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky (the birthplace of jug band music), he loves the history and tradition of old time blues and swing. He is dedicated to keeping this music alive.

Chris 'Skip Tracer' Brandstatt

Although he is the youngest member of the band, he does
not lack experience. He has been a professionally musician for over twelve years. He has performed, toured and recorded with Bluegrass, Jazz, and Blues bands including a recording project with Newgrass Revival founder Curtis Burch & the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra. Skip brings his acoustic roots to the Juggernaut Jug Band on the guitar, banjo, and mandolin.

Mike 'Smiley Habanero' Hoerni

The spicy one of the group, when it comes to playing guitar he
can jump on stage with just about anyone and start jamming right along. In the late sixties, early seventies and eighties he toured sharing the stage with some of the big names of the day. He has played many styles, with many bands, one of which had a number one hit record. Smiley currently plays guitar and mandolin lending his deep musical background and talents to the Juggernaut Jug Band and folks, there are smiles all around.

Dennis 'Nick O'Time' Talley

The newest member of the Juggernaut Jug Band has played
bass for more than 20 years. His name says it all; he is the band’s time-piece. His experience in a variety of musical styles, including Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, R & B, and Bluegrass has served him well with the eclectic style of the Juggernaut Jug Band.