News

Back in the 80's when gas was cheap and speed limits were flexible it was possible to drive across the country listening to the Chicken Chokers on the radio in 10 minutes. Here's a movie of Mark Grahm and Bob Naess doing just that...

It's hard to find on the Dickinson College website but here is some information about the bands playing at Bluegrass on the Grass at Dickinson College this year (2008). The Chicken Chokers play at 3:25 and 7:25 p.m. We'll have our new black Tee Shirts, 3 different CDs, Posters and Stickers to sell, plus some darn nice business cards for free.

The Field Recorder's Collective has released a cd of the Chicken Chokers material recorded 1985-1986 when Mark Graham was in the band. It is called FRC603 – The Chicken Chokers (From the collection of Ray Alden).

Troubled Times, Spring- Summer 1986, B. Idaho
Review of Chokers & Flies Old Time Music

On side one, the Chokers play up a storm and make me happy and sad in the space of twenty minutes. ... They represent what's good about old-time music; not sounding like bluegrass, but not sounding like "biblethumpers" either. ... I'd like to get my hands (and ears and feet) on a full-length record from this group.

Dirty Linen #133, Dec '07 / Jan '08 - article by Bill Chaissson

It is this exuberance and absolute absence of ironic distance from this music that makes listening to the Chokers such an uplifting experience.

The cover art by Q. Cassetti continues the tradition of putting arresting modern design out front instead of a picture of guys in hats stooped over banjos.

The Chicken Tractor

Your gig at the Pourhouse last Wednesday that ended up spilling out onto the street, and then the transcendent Sunday set at Grassroots were the perfect bookends and the highlights of those 4-5 days of music. And the new cd is absolutely great. You guys hit it like a damn 2 by 4, right between the eyes -- THANKS and we'll see you next time -- Welcome back, fellas.

Dick Kimmel / Bluegrass Unlimited

"Two old-time bands sharing a recording of some of the best old-time music to be released in many years. Both these groups play with that unique drive and feeling made popular in many circles by Tommy Jarrell, Kyle Creed and other older musicians from the Galax, Va. / Mt. Airy, NC. area. If bands like The Chokers and The Flies continue to record and tour, this fine breed of old-time music will never be something of the past. It will always be exciting and fresh."

Grassroots Program Notes

"Pioneers of the old-time-is-punk-rock movement of the late 1970s, The Chicken Chokers are, in fact, the reason that many of our musician friends say they started playing folk music. It's true!"