Crooked Still's five musicians know how to make traditional songs sound new again, in the process creating a genre fusion in which alternative folk blends with bluegrass and the sounds of string bands.

NPR: First Listen: Crooked Still, 'Some Strange Country'

Since 2001 Railroad Earth has been playing bluegrass plus snatches of rock, folk, and jazz with the same open armed, occasionally long-winded approach that's helped jam bands like Phish and the String Cheese Incident earn throngs of rabid fans.

NPR: Railroad Earth Jams Live on Two-CD 'Elko'

During the Renaissance, musicians played the trombone in town bands, royal ceremonial bands, and in mixed ensembles with string and keyboard instruments and voices.

NPR: Young Tuba Player Gets Nod from Phila. Orchestra

They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70s and 80s with a string of top 10 singles and albums and won Brit Awards, Ivor Novellos and Grammy Awards.

BBC: Bob Geldof

He adjusted his glasses, usually held together with Sellotape and rubber bands, hitched up his trousers, usually belted with string, and forged on.

ECONOMIST: Robert Oakeshott