Roving Roots shares their story and performs at Piedmont Folkways this Wednesday
Updated: Aug 29
Roving Roots, a three piece band brings in talent from various backgrounds, came together to share their love and passion for bluegrass music. Roving Roots is performing at Piedmont Folkways on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Statesville Historical Collection center.
The three piece band, Chalmers Croft (guitar), Drew Egerton (mandolin/guitar) and Julia Migner (fiddle), share their experience within the music industry and their love for bluegrass music. The trio has roots all across North America from playing in local jam sessions, discovering bluegrass in Canada and touring with larger country musicians. The three sat down to tell their story.
Croft started playing guitar at the age of six, growing up with a musical talented family. He grew up playing with his brothers and father in church but after the passing of his father at 15, Croft was drawn to pursue music even more. He toured with famous country singers as guitarist out of Nashville.
Migner, a violinist since the age of five, wanted to find a new way to playing her instrument without confiding to orchestra pieces. After living in Canada, she became interested in bluegrass music by attending jams and learning the genre of music. in 2024, Migner moved to Charlotte where she dived headfirst into the world of bluegrass music.
Egerton started his music journey after being gifted a guitar at the age of 16. Being a self-taught musician, he worked his way through learning both the guitar and mandolin. Looking for a new outlet for bluegrass music, he joined the Swannanoa Gathering where he met Julia.
From there, the trio met at jam sessions and events, sharing one thing in common—their love and passion for playing music without the stressors of having a band. “I wasn’t looking for a band with a lot of commitments and stressors. I have been in that situation and it sucked the fun out of it,” said Egerton. “It was a nice, low pressure setting and being in the same place musically, it is fun. We just get together to work on new songs and try new things together.”
“I resonated with both Drew and Julia because we both have full time jobs and are within the same age bracket,” said Croft. “We all have an appreciation for authentic raw music. As long as it is authentic, we dig it.”
While each of the members work full-time jobs, the band releases their creative energy into playing and song writing. Migner shares how songwriting for her is a way of looking at life through a different, creative perspective. She adds that she has been working on a song for a couple of years but it came together a few months ago.
“I saw ants carrying other ants and I was curious about them,” said Migner. “I thought about writing a song about it, without it being clear if it is an ant or a person. I thought it would be cool to bring to the group and these guys add to their own way.”
Both Egerton and Croft share how their learning experience as a musician is still an ongoing process. “There is no end to getting better. Even the guys that I look up to, they are still working and learning how to get better,” said Egerton. The band dedicates themselves to playing original music that shows off their craftsmanship of their musical talent.
Check out Roving Roots on their Facebook and website. Below is a list of upcoming shows that the group will be performing at.
August 29, 2026
Bluegrass Jamboree at Lost Worlds Brewing Company (Cornelius, NC) from 5:45 – 6:45 PM
September 2, 2026
Piedmont Folkways (Statesville, NC) from 7:30 – 8:45 PM
September 10, 2026
The Cabin (Davidson, NC) from 7:00 – 10:00 PM
October 8, 2026
The Cabin (Davidson, NC) from 7:00 – 10:00 PM
October 10, 2026
Divine Barrel Brewing (Charlotte, NC) from 3:00 – 6:00 PM
October 23, 2026
Essence on Broad (Statesville, NC) from 7:30 - 10:00 PM
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