Cornmeal

The bluegrass ensemble based in Chicago came together in the late '90s to give local jam-band players an outlet, pulling members from Uncle John's Band, Rebecca's Statue, and the Dime Store String Band. Singer/songwriter Jason Berger led the group, whose first configuration included guitarist Erik Smith and upright bassist Chris Gangi, with Berger also handling mandolin. The three musicians had already been performing together for more than a decade after meeting as teenagers in the suburbs northwest of Chicago.

A standing Wednesday-night slot at the Abbey Pub became their regular home, where an easygoing mood let visiting players step onstage—or perform from the bar floor—with minimal ceremony. Banjoist Wavy Dave Burlingame was soon added to the roster. Midwest touring followed and brought modest success, capped by a prominent appearance at the Big Wu's Family Reunion festival.

After completing the debut studio album In the Kitchen for Livin' Large Records, which included a guest vocal from Dark Star Orchestra's Lisa Mackey, the band recruited drummer Martin Kondziolka. His arrival broadened their sonic range, allowing richer textures to blend into the largely traditional old-timey framework.