Mac Benford was banjoist and a founding member of Dr. Humbead's New Tranquility String Band in the late 1960's in the Bay Area of California, where he and some of the members migrated  from Cambridge, Mass. The Humbeads had a unique and lovely "parlor" sound, and Mac, a longtime fan of Charlie Poole  and the North Carolina Ramblers, was a major factor in creating that sound. As a Fat City and Highwoods Stringband member, he also added much vigor and repertoire to the band. When the Highwoods ceased playing, he started a new band the Backwoods Band, who also cut an LP for Rounder in the early 1980's. His most recent band, the Woodshed All-stars, has made a cassette on Marimac # 9047, and more recently a CD on Rounder called Willow, RR-0371-CD. Mac's Cassette "Kentucky Favorites" now has a companion tablature book published by him. Contact Mac.
    Mac is also an accomplished guitar player, having played plenty of guitar in the Fat City Stringband days. He also occasionally plays in the mega-band, Noah's Arkestra, so called because there are two of every instrument, which makes rare appearances in the vicinity of Ithaca NY.