Old Crow Medicine Show Delivers High-Energy Roots Music Performance
For fans of soulful, traditionally-inspired music, there’s a reason why Old Crow Medicine Show’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” resonates so deeply.
“If you’re watching this, it’s because you love a song — more than that, you love how someone plays that song,” the band’s leader, Ketch Secor, seems to whisper directly to the viewer. And though many artists have covered this folk festival staple, Old Crow Medicine Show imbues it with a raw energy unique to their style.
Almost two decades after the band’s iteration of “Wagon Wheel” became a phenomenon, Secor and his bandmates graced the Tiny Desk with an electric performance, kicking it off with their signature take on the beloved tune.
“Wagon Wheel”
“O Cumberland River”
“Wolfman of the Ozarks”
“One Drop”
### Highlighting their Signature Style
For nearly three decades, Old Crow Medicine Show has served up a refreshing and energetic approach to old-time music, folk, bluegrass, country, and everything else simmering in that rich “roots music” cauldron. The band’s infectious energy, honed during their early busking days, remains evident in their Tiny Desk performance.
Their setlist seamlessly weaves together “O Cumberland River” and “Wolfman of the Ozarks,” both brimming with the group’s signature sound: train-chugging harmonica melodies intertwining with the hypnotic riffs of a jaw harp.
The performance culminates in a hopeful and gospel-tinged rendition of “One Drop,” a powerful anthem for unity—a message that resonates deeply in our current times.
The Musicians Behind the Music
- Ketch Secor: fiddle, vocals
- Morgan Jahnig: upright bass, vocals
- Cory Younts: mandolin, keys, vocals
- Mike Harris: dobro, banjo, electric guitar, vocals
- PJ George: acoustic guitar, keys, vocals
- Dante’ Pope: percussion, vocals
The Team Behind the Tiny Desk
- Producer: Lars Gotrich
- Director/Editor: Maia Stern
- Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
- Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
- Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
- Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
- Tiny Desk Team: Hazel Cills, Josh Newell
- Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
* What elements of Old Crow Medicine Show’s performance style contribute to the “raw, visceral energy” described by the guest?
## Old Crow Medicine Show Brings the Heat to Tiny Desk
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! Today we’re talking about Old Crow Medicine Show’s incredible recent Tiny Desk performance. With me is [Guest Name], a longtime fan and music critic. [Guest Name], thanks for joining us.
**Guest:** Thanks for having me! I was blown away by their performance. They really brought the energy.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! They kicked things off with their signature version of “Wagon Wheel,” which is always a crowd-pleaser. What makes their rendition so special, in your opinion?
**Guest:** I think it’s the raw, almost visceral energy they put into it. As Ketch Secor says, it’s more than just a song - it’s about how they play it. They give it this grit and soul that really connects with listeners on a deep level. [[1](https://www.wunc.org/2024-12-04/old-crow-medicine-show-tiny-desk-concert)]
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Ketch Secor. He seems to really connect with the audience in this performance.
**Guest:** Absolutely! He has this presence, this way of just pulling you into the music. He really understands the power of storytelling through song, and it comes through loud and clear.
**Interviewer:** Old Crow Medicine Show has been around for a while now. How have they managed to stay relevant and continue to attract new fans?
**Guest:** I think it’s because they’re so authentic. They stay true to their roots music influences but aren’t afraid to experiment and evolve. Their performances are always electrifying, and they clearly love what they do. It’s infectious!
**Interviewer:** Well said! Thanks for sharing your insights, [Guest Name]. This Tiny Desk performance is definitely one for the books.
**Guest:** My pleasure!
