The Hill City String Band was formed by Matt Downer as an old-time musicians’ collective for the Chattanooga, TN area.

The primary goal of the group is to perform, preserve and foster an appreciation for the traditional music of our region. While there are many “bluegrass” (a musical genre, native to Kentucky, which began in the 1940’s) groups in the area, there are only a handful of traditional old-time (indigenous American fiddle/banjo music and songs,  some of which date back centuries, which were brought to our country/area by early settlers and early American string band music) in the Chattanooga/Tri-State area.

Hill City String Band believes this is the people's music and many of their performances are examples of taking the music back to the people. At a typical performance, one would hear – regional/local fiddle tunes/songs, clawhammer banjo, stories relating to the origins of the tunes/songs, stomping, hooting and hollering.

Members include (but not limited to) –

Matt Downer – fiddle, banjo, guitar, kazoo, vocals

Ken Parr – fiddle, banjo, mandolin, vocals

Ron Williams – banjo, slide guitar, vocals

Joseph Decosimo – fiddle, banjo, banjo-uke, vocals

Bob Townsend – fiddle, tenor guitar, vocals

Daniel Binkley – banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals

Clark Williams – fiddle, guitar, vocals

The  Hill City String Band has performed at Riverbend, 4 Bridges Art Festival, Laurel Theater, Rhythm & Noon, Rhythm & Brews, Riverfront Nights, TN Aquarium, TaleSpin, Bob Douglas Fiddle Fest, Chattanooga City Hall 100th Anniversary, Mountain Makins Festival, North Georgia String Band Festival and the Great Southern Old Time Music Convention, as well as regularly on the streets of Chattanooga.