Railroad Earth in Portland

Railroad Earth is an American roots band formed in Stillwater, New Jersey, in 2001. Its music draws on bluegrass, folk, country and extended jam-band improvisation. The group introduced that approach on The Black Bear Sessions and developed it further on Bird in a House and The Good Life; “Seven Story Mountain” and “Mighty River” became enduring parts of its repertoire. Railroad Earth has performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, carrying its acoustic-based songs into major outdoor settings. The band also established recurring concert traditions, including the Thanksgiving-season Horn O’ Plenty shows at the Sherman Theater and the Hangtown Halloween Ball in Placerville. The live lineup is built around acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass and drums, and the arrangements often expand into extended instrumental passages. Todd Sheaffer leads the vocals and guitar, while Tim Carbone’s fiddle remains a central voice in Railroad Earth concerts.