The founding members--consisting of Joe Ewers, Fred Ewers, John Frayler, Dave Goss and Bob Beeman-- were amateurs who played a variety of 19th-century instruments, including banjo, bones, drum, fiddle, guitar, and tambourine.
As the group grew older the roster comprised seven members, including players of the fife, flute, and penny whistle.
Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has featured their music in his films Mark Twain and Jazz.
In November 2004, the band received the Stephen Collins Foster Award for their preservation of 19th-century American song.
The band's last personnel includes: Joe Ewers (banjo), Fred Ewers (fiddle), Dave Goss (guitar), Bob Beeman (tambourine & bones), Mike Paul (fiddle), Joe Whitney (flute) and Tom DiGiuseppe (banjo).