One band, two towns. The Wild Rumpus, hailing from wild, wonderful West Virginia, actually calls two towns – Fayetteville and Lewisburg – home. For fans of Blue Ridge Outdoors, these two towns sound like the perfect nexus of rugged mountain sports and high lonesome mountain sounds. Trail Mix caught up with Allan Sizemore to chat up just what it is that makes the band’s hometown(s) so special.
BRO – Favorite hometown venue to play?
Allan – We love the Rendezvous Lounge in Fayetteville. This is our home base and during whitewater season we play here about once a month to great crowds. Crazy shows.
BRO – Favorite hometown band to see live?
Allan – Well, we have friends all over the country, some of whom are from here originally and have moved on to other areas for their home base. Johnsons Crossroad and The Honeycutters, both from Asheville, and If Birds Could Fly, from Southwest Virginia, are a few we love to play with and see.
BRO – Favorite spot for a post show libation?
Allan – Wherever we happen to be is usually good…haha!
BRO – One thing an out-of-towner should know about your hometown?
Allan – BOTH of our hometowns have been named America’s Coolest Small Towns by Budget Travel Magazine – Fayetteville in 2007 and Lewisburg in 2011. That’s pretty dang neat, we think. There are lots of great things in our towns; both have awesome places to eat that are original and local, great shops, and both are recreation and outdoor meccas for the state.
BRO – Must see spot for someone visiting your hometown?
Allan – In Fayetteville I would say the New River Gorge Bridge and overlooks- amazing sights. In Lewisburg- Carnegie Hall, WV! It’s one of just four Carnegie Halls in the world!
BRO – Interesting tidbit that has put your town on the map?
Allan – We are home to the New River Gorge Bridge- the longest arch span bridge in the western hemisphere – where over 100,000 people show up to watch folks BASE jump from the bridge on Bridge Day. 100,000 people!
BRO – Favorite outdoor adventure in/near your hometown?
Allan – Fayetteville is the whitewater capital of the world! Class VI whitewater, the New and Gauley Rivers, Bridge Day; there’s just lots of cool stuff to do in Fayetteville. Lewisburg has the Greenbrier River Trail, the river itself, hiking, climbing, caving…man, if you love the outdoors, this is the place to be!
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On Friday, August 16th, you can catch The Wild Rumpus in Floyd, Virginia, at the Dogtown Roadhouse. If you happen to find yourself in West Virginia for Bridge Day in October, make sure to catch the band at the Rendezvous Lounge. In the meantime, take a listen to “Ramblin’ Now,” off the band’s brand new disc, Shake Yer Rumpus, on this month’s Trail Mix.
Speaking of that new record, Trail Mix and the boys in The Wild Rumpus would like to give you a shot at a copy for your very own self! Shoot an answer to the trivia question below to [email protected]. A winner will be chosen from all of the correct answers received by high noon tomorrow, Thursday, August 15th!
Good luck!!
Question – Along with roots music stalwarts Tedeschi Trucks Band, Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, and Alabama Shakes, The Wild Rumpus was named as part of what webzine’s Top Fifty Bands in Americana?
Pssst . . . hint hint. . . . . surf over to www.thewildrumpus.com . . .
