He performs solo and with his long-time musical partner and wife, Linda Higginbotham, and with his band, The Humdingers, which also includes Sam Bartlett and Abby Ladin.

Originally from Carroll County, Virginia, Rush and George played the traditional style of old-time music that was common in their area.

It was during one of these summer breaks that Leftwich and a friend first visited noted old-time fiddler Tommy Jarrell at his home in the Mount Airy region of North Carolina.

Shortly after graduating from Oberlin College in 1975, Leftwich moved to the musically active community of Lexington, Virginia where he co-founded the Plank Road String Band.

[9] In his new home, Leftwich met Linda Higginbotham, an active member of the Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group.

His Mel Bay books on Round Peak fiddling and banjo playing, as well as his teaching videos for Homespun, have also contributed to an increased appreciation for traditional old-time music and its subtleties.