Ashland’s Genuine Junk Band is a funky, but true to their soul blend of rock, jazz, blues and Americana roots music. The band prides itself that most of the group has a classical background and music degrees. They are a touring band, very popular with their jam style. We sat down with Ian Caldwell, lead guitarist, to chat about their music. For more info, check out www.genuinejunkband.com.

Graffiti: What are your latest projects?

Caldwell: We are currently releasing our second CD, which (was released) May 16 at our CD release show at the V-Club in Huntington. We are headlining the Paramount Arts Center Friday, May, 23. We are also currently booking our summer tour throughout the northeast.

Graffiti: You’re one of the few jam bands to play the main stage at the Paramount. What do you attribute this to?

Caldwell: We have been playing in the region for about nine years now, so we have gotten our name out there. I also think that our music spans a wide audience, which helps us get notice from lots of people. My friends always tell me about how they have to make copies of our CD for their parents — so lots of people can relate to our music.

Graffiti: Who are your musical influences?

Caldwell: I try to be influenced by all kinds of music but some of my main influences would be Stevie Ray Vaughan, Derek Trucks, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Phish, The Grateful Dead and of course, The Beatles.

Graffiti: How old were you when you started playing?

Caldwell: I was about 12 or 13 when I started playing the guitar.

Graffiti: Do you come from a musical family?

Caldwell: Well my dad and my uncle play guitar in a band together called The Neverly Brothers, so I grew up listening to music my whole life.

Graffiti: What CDs are you listening to these days?

Caldwell: I am currently listening to a lot of Martin Sexton these days, who is mainly a singer-songwriter.

Graffiti: What venues in West  Virginia and eastern Kentucky do you play?

Caldwell: We mostly play at the V-Club or Marley’s in Huntington, but we have played many different venues throughout Huntington, Charleston, Beckley, Parkersburg in West Virginia and many venues in Lexington, Ky.

Graffiti: What are the biggest gigs you’ve played?

Caldwell: We have opened up for many great acts over the years. We have played many big festivals such as the Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival and the Appalachian Uprising Festival. We even put on our own festival last year called the Junk Band Jam. We plan on having the second one this Sept. 26 and 27. For me the biggest gig will be playing the Paramount Arts Center. I have wanted to play there ever since I became a musician.

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Contact Tamar at tfleishman@graffitiwv.com