Caleb Roberts (Photo by Roy Cohen, Thomas Point Beach
Festival, Maine, Aug. 2002.)
Caleb Roberts, mandolin, vocals
Caleb's deep-rooted relationship with bluegrass can be traced back to the womb, where he believes he heard Bill Monroe recordings from his father's reel-to-reel tape player. Born in Columbia, S.C., Caleb moved to Boulder and began playing bluegrass mandolin more than a decade ago. His fervent, rhythmic sounds pay homage to the father of bluegrass and other heroes. Caleb is recognized for "a classic style that favors tremoloed double-stops over fast runs, and deep feeling rather than flash" (Vintage Guitar). A former member of alternative C & W band Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Caleb has also played with area bluegrass bands Cross Ties and Soul Tractor, and local bluegrass supergroup Mighty Squirrel. He lives in Lyons, Colo., where he teaches mandolin lessons and is involved with the local bluegrass community.