Jared Boyd represents a new generation of clawhammer masters.  His style reflects both the ancient sounds of clawhammer playing while at the same time represents the current emphasis on speed and improvisation.  In his short career he has won nearly every major banjo competition in the region, while maintaining a very strong family legacy.

            Although Jared was reluctant at first, he began to show interest in clawhammer playing in high school.  Once enrolled in the remarkable Junior Appalachian Musicians program (JAM) he latched on to a teacher and mentor, Ray Chatfield, who was a legendary Round Peak style player.  In some ways, this was ironic, because Jared’s own grandfather had a strong clawhammer legacy of his own, being the founder and primary instigator of one of SW Virginia’s most popular old time dance bands, “The Dry Hill Draggers.”

            As Jared developed his own unique style, his grandfather, Jimmy Boyd, supported by Jared’s father, Stacy Boyd on bass, filled dance halls, festivals and street fairs across the state.  When he was just 17, Jared became deeply interested in his family’s musical legacy and received a Virginia Folklife Mentorship to study both banjo under Jimmy’s tutelage and to study another skill of his grandfather’s; moonshining.  Jimmy Boyd had been active in both pursuits for over 40 years.

            Adding this family history to his repertoire made Jared a formidable force in fiddler’s competitions: the ability to adapt his style of playing to both the rhythmic punch of Galax-style playing that his grandfather had helped pioneer, while at the same time incorporating the more complex melodic lines favored by such incredible players of the Round Peak style such as Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham. 

            Soon, Jared’s. playing began to be recognized both in his family’s close-knit circle of players with the Draggers, and at competitions throughout the region. As his grandfather retired from the “Draggers” and his Uncle, Jamie, needed to attend to duties on his Franklin County Farm, Jared was asked to play banjo with a new iteration of the family band, featuring the rhythmic, driving fiddle of Chris Prillaman, who had also been mentored by Jimmy.

            As the “Dry Hill Draggers” sound evolved under new membership, including his father, Stacy, still on bass, the name was changed to represent a new era, to “The Twin Creeks Stringband.”  The new band quickly filled the void left by the 40 some years of “The Draggers” and with Jared’s unique style driving the sound, and dancers and fans flocked to their events.

            Jared began winning big, placing first both in clawhammer and old time band at the Galax festival and winning virtually every other contest from Elk Creek to Tazewell.  His style and his ability to relate to audience members landed him an “Artist in Residence” from the Crooked Road organization, affording him the opportunity to both perform regularly and to assist a variety of bands and individuals in SW Virginia. 

            At the same time, Jared began giving back to the community that nourished his artistry and became a regular teacher and facilitator with the “Handmade Music School” in Floyd, where he is  a mentor to many younger talented musicians.  Currently, Jared’s banjo playing continues to evolve and the Twin Creek String Band is in very high demand.