Tater Diggers

The Tater Diggers came into being as a band in September 2008, while Caroline Pond, from the Snake Oil Medicine Show, and Ben Scales, acclaimed acoustic performer and songwriter were vacationing together on a horse farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Behind the farm was a potato patch, and Caroline and the Scales family spent nearly a day digging out "taters." That night, when the sun went down and the instruments came out, the "Tater Diggers" were born.

From the very first notes from that very first jam, Caroline and Ben knew they were onto something special. Upon returning home to Asheville, Ben called in his long-time musical partner Kevin Scanlon to play banjo and sing, and the Tater Diggers’ lineup was set.

Kevin and Ben have held down a regular weekly gig at the 1900 Inn on Montford bed & breakfast in Asheville since 2006, entertaining the guests at the Inn with their tight harmonies and solid picking on classic banjo and fiddle tunes reflecting the rich musical heritage of southern mountains. Adding Caroline’s exuberant fiddle playing and beautiful voice turned the Tater Diggers into a powerhouse of musical excitement.

The blend of Old Time and Maritime rewards the Tater Diggers’ listeners with “a mari-old-time.” Singing along and dancing always occur, and smiles appear spontaneously on the faces of all who hear. We can’t help it.