Tripp Johnson hails from Charleston, South Carolina, and moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1973. Jenny Johnson comes from Claremont, California, and moved to Richmond in 1979. Both have lived primarily in Richmond since moving there, and subsequently met at a picking party in 2003.
Tripp and Jenny Johnson have performed as a duo since 2003. Tripp draws upon his past experience in jazz, blues, Americana, and rock and roll and infuses his flatpicking skills with these influences. He is a master guitar and mandolin player. Jenny initially began playing banjo in the bluegrass style, but as the two developed an ever growing interest in old-time folk music, she has since been playing clawhammer-style. She also plays rhythm guitar, and her voice has been described as a clear mountain stream. As a duo, they perform originals, traditional old-time Appalachian music, Americana, and folk music.
Since the fall of 2003, they have been hosting an old-time jam at Cary Street Café (see links). Tripp and Jenny’s Jam runs every Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00p.m. From this jam they formed a stringband, the Cary Street Ramblers.
Tripp and Jenny Johnson have performed with or opened for the following artists:
Drew Emmitt Band
Chris Sharp and David Long
Jackass Flats