The Muddy Basin Ramblers are a favorite in Taipei’s live music scene for their blend of “old-time” American music styles, including early 1920s and 1930s blues, swing jazz, bluegrass, and string-band and fiddle music. Formed by a group of US/UK expatriates in 2003, the Ramblers have played events big and small throughout Ihla Formosa, including the National Concert Hall’s Summer Jazz Party and the Migration Music Festival. Outside of Taiwan, the Ramblers have headlined the Yokohama Jug Band Festival in Japan and the Gloomy Island Blues Festival in Hong Kong. With their arsensal of homemade instruments, guitars, violins, harmonicas, and brass horns, this seven-piece band are beloved by audiences everywhere for their joyously cacophonic, irresistibly-danceable music and soulful, good-time vibes. The Ramblers are well-recognized recording artists, having received two Grammy nominations for their CDs, “Formosa Medicine Show” and “Hold That Tiger” (both for best album packaging). The band have also received accolades from the American Independent Music Awards, with nominations for Best Blues Song (“Dharma Train”), and best American roots producer (bandleader David Chen). Band members David Chen and Conor Prunty are active in Taiwan’s music circles, with both having received Golden Melody Music Awards — Taiwan’s highest music honor — for their work with Taiwanese Hakka singer Lo Sirong. BAND MEMBERS: The Muddy Basin Ramblers are David Chen, originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, on vocals, guitars, drums and banjos; Tim Hogan, of California, on washboard and percussion; TC Lin, originally from the US but now a proud Taiwanese citizen, on washtub bass, baritone, and trumpet; Cristina Paradise, of Scranton, PA, on violin, mandolin, and various wind instruments; Zach Paradise, of Scranton, PA, on whistles, saxophone, and ukulele, Conor Prunty, of London, England, on harmonica, washtub bass, and ukulele; Will “Slim” Thelin, from Omaha, Nebraska, on jug, tap shoes, kazoos, trombone, harmonica, and vocals.
Awards
Grammy Best Packaging/Design “Formosa Medicine Show” – Finalist 2015
Grammy Best Packaging/Design “Hold That Tiger” – Finalist 2020
Golden Melody Awards Best Layout Design “Hold That Tiger” – Winner 2020
American Independent Music Awards Best Blues Song – “Dharma Train” – Finalist 2020
American Independent Music Awards Best Roots/Country Producer – Head David Chen Finalist 2020