The Onlies
photo credit Joel Savoy
The Onlies are a longstanding collective of friends defining a powerful new generation of string band music. Comprised of multi-instrumentalists Sami Braman, Riley Calcagno, Leo Shannon, Vivian Leva, and Nokosee Fields on banjo, fiddle, guitar, and bass, the band moves effortlessly between ripping dance tunes, delicate waltzes, and strong, vocal-driven songs—woven together with rich two- and four-part harmonies.
Equally at home headlining a festival stage for a crowd of dancers or holding an intimate theater audience in rapt attention, The Onlies bring traditional music vividly to life for the modern ear.
Their fourth studio album, You Climb the Mountain (2025), marks 20 years as a band. True to its name, the record is a volcanic journey, featuring fiddles, banjos, guitars, bass, autoharp, harmonium, electric guitar, and expansive vocal harmonies across 15 generous tracks, including a special cameo from bluegrass legend Alice Gerrard.
The Onlies have earned first place at the Appalachian String Band Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia, and currently serve as Artistic Directors of Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, one of the largest and most venerable fiddle festivals in the country. As staples of the fiddle camp community, they have taught and performed extensively across the United States and internationally.
They have supported and collaborated with notable artists such as Bruce Molsky, Elvis Costello, Darol Anger, and Watchhouse, and have appeared at major festivals including Pickathon, the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, and Father’s Day Festival. Riding the momentum of recent successes, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy festival season for the band. Don’t miss the opportunity to book The Onlies as they step into their strongest commitment to this project yet.
*****
Now booking concerts and festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“The Onlies, a young old-time stringband based in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, have plenty of heart and soul, but also boundless talent, imagination, charisma, fire and musical intelligence. The band is, in a word, groove-y.”
-Bluegrass Unlimited
“The Onlies’ brand of bluegrass skews more robust and vibrant - an energy so palpable and vivid, it’s like you’ve been transported into the center of their sonic world, burrowed deep down with the variegated melodies and sparkling string-band grooves.”
-Bandcamp best of 2025
“Simply put, The Onlies are the best old-time stringband out there.