Anna Lankford and Deeper Roots
Anna Lankford
Anna Lankford is a native of musically rich Wilkes County in the North Carolina Blue Ridge foothills. Her sophomore year in high school, she picked up a guitar and started to learn from local greats including her father and Uwe Kruger of the trio, The Kruger Brothers. Early recognition of her talent was evident when her high school peers voted her “the student to most likely become a rock star.” Unknowingly, Anna had entered the music business. Her recognition continued as Anna performed at MerleFest, an international festival held annually in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. She won back-to-back awards from the N.C. Society of Historians for her soundtracks included on a compilation of music from productions of the local theater group. She appeared on the live radio shows on WKBC’s Hometown Opry. Anna was invited to perform by Jens Kruger at Carolina in the Fall Music Festival.
This traditional music became a stepping stone for her into contemporary roots music, where she was destined to add her own Appalachian flair to the vocals. In 2007 she heard of the band Deeper Roots gaining popularity with its work in eclectic, original music, and she approached band founder, Rick Brockner and asked to audition. Now, a part of the band, her lilting mountain vocals can be heard on their new album Anna’s Deeper Roots, to be released April 2008.
Rick Gaughan
Bass player since the age of 14. Started in the Rock (Garage Band) genre and moved into various Country gigs. (I liked to eat and they were working.) Spent over 5 years working in and out of Nashville where I adopted the name "THE DOC". Some highlights of that time were a spot on the Grand 'ol Opry with Charlie Louvin, (2) USO tours, one to the far East and one to the far North and Europe. One of my claims to fame is to have played every nasty, smoky, dirty bar in America, the bad ones twice!!!! There were several two week long dates in Las Vegas in some of the high end Country Casinos. When not on the road, I did manage to spend some time in the studio, as often as possible. My style of playing can best be described as the "eclectics of a musician's life." I enjoy most styles but have more of a love for Country and Jazz, with a dash of classic 60's & 70's. I play a Fender Jazz bass and have for most of my musical life. We work well together and as the man says, "When it works, DON'T fix it."
Rick Brockner
Rick Brockner is a seasoned writer and performer with a rich background and 37 years experience in the music business. His bands have traveled the Eastern seaboard of the United States, playing a variety of musical genres, including folk and new acoustic. Now he writes and produces his own music, incorporating the influences of the mountain music of western North Carolina, where he makes his home. His talent produces music showcasing traditional mountain sounds and his original compositions with old time and contemporary instruments. One reviewer, Art Menius proclaimed “Rick has one foot in the past and the other in the now.” Rick’s band creates new growth inside the great mountain traditions.
During his career, Rick’s opportunities were expanded when his music was included in two movies. One, entitled “Blue Ridge Byways,” was produced by the State of North Carolina for use by elementary school students studying North Carolina history. The other, entitled “Continental Ohio” was commissioned by Ohio Public Television to document the history and evolution of a turn of the century ”Show Print Shop” over time. When Mark Freed, the folklorist for Watauga County Arts Council, talks about Rick’s approach to acoustic music, he says “This man does crazy things with a dulcimer.”
Now, Rick is digging the deeper roots of the music he loves. The addition of Anna Lankford’s vocals, with her pure mountain sound, will let you see how modern life mixes with the mountain past. Rick Gaughan’s bass adds a depth to all the music. Rick’s harmonica wails and sings and his dulcimer reminds you of evening on the porch. Deeper Roots, abundant with rich new sounds and traditions, is what Rick hears and captures and brings to you, the listener.