Black Crown Stringband

is the latest supergroup to emerge from the fertile SF Bay-Area bluegrass and old-timey scene. Comprised of founding members of the Earl Brothers and the Mercury Dimes, the band first appeared at the 2008 Berkeley Old-Time Convention Stringband Contest where their hard-driving sound earned them first prize.

Black Crown combine the best elements of old-time stringband music and Bill Monroe's "high lonesome" sound to create a unique fusion that is at once old-school and brand spanking new.

Whether playing a festival, square-dance or your private event, Black Crown Stringband deliver their music with high energy, soul and some serious skills.

The Band

John McKelvy made his debut to bluegrass & old time fans as the high lonesome vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the hillbilly gothic pioneers, The Earl Brothers. Since announcing his departure from the band in 2007, John has become a notable solo artist continuing on with his bi-polar songs of heartache, joy & despair. Originally from central Florida, McKelvy has performed all over the U.S., Canada & the U.K., opening for many of today's brightest stars including Junior Brown, Sam Bush, & Peter Rowan, among others.

Elise Engelberg, a Kentucky native, got her start in music as a classical violinist. After moving to California, she rediscovered her bluegrass roots and began learning to play the fiddle. Since then, she has became a sought after fiddler in the Bay Area old time scene. Elise has recorded with the Crooked Jades, The Mercury Dimes and has toured with the Stairwell Sisters. Her love for teaching young children has afforded her a thriving music studio in San Francisco.

Matt Knoth, hails from San Jose, CA where he grew up listening and playing bluegrass and old-time music with his father, Al. In addition to the 5 string banjo, Knoth is a well respected flatpicking guitarist and founding member of the rocking old-time group, The Mercury Dimes. When not performing as a bluegrass star, Knoth enjoys pursuing his love of nature photography & composing soundtracks for documentary films.

Karen Sonnenblick began playing bluegrass music while studying tropical biology in the Costa Rican rainforest. Stranded in a research station with a banjo player, Karen knew she had an important decision to make - go crazy trying to block out incessant banjo rolls while inspecting plant roots under a microscope or embrace and learn to love the music. She took up the guitar when she returned stateside and began playing bluegrass and old-time music. When Karen moved to California in 2009 she was inspired to learn the upright bass. She has played with several bluegrass and old-time bands in the Bay Area.