Chuck Ragan

Widely known as the former front man of Hot Water Music, Chuck Ragan branched off from his 1990s punk band in the mid 2006 to focus on a solo career. Much to the surprise of his punk rock following, Ragan began creating acoustic folk with hints of rollicking bluegrass provided by friends he recruited to play the violin and mandolin. Based out of San Francisco, he often writes songs based on old California narratives, lending seasoned and nostalgic qualities to his music. Though his dramatic shift in musical style definitely caters to a new audience, Ragan has earned the respect of folk music aficionados with each passing record starting with his 2007 debut solo album, Feast or Famine.