Long Forgotten is a high-energy string band from Fresno, California, blending the raw spirit of Old-time, Bluegrass, Honky-tonk, and Country music with a distinctly modern edge. Known for their driving rhythms, heartfelt harmonies, and infectious stage chemistry, the trio brings timeless American roots traditions into the present day with honesty and grit.
The group features Nick Kennedy on clawhammer banjo, acoustic guitar, and vocals; Jackie Bootstraps on mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar, and vocals; and Patrick O’Brien on upright bass and vocals. Together, their sound is a seamless weave of traditional instrumentation and dynamic two- and three-part harmonies, drawing audiences into songs that feel both familiar and freshly alive. Kennedy and Bootstraps both honed their craft through years of touring with Old Tire Swingers, performing hundreds of shows across the United States and overseas, from small-town street corners to festival stages abroad. O’Brien anchors the band with a rich, rhythmic bass foundation and soulful vocals that deepen the trio’s resonant blend.
While Long Forgotten’s roots are deeply planted in Old-time and Bluegrass music, Kennedy and Bootstraps also bring a rock ‘n’ roll edge from their other band, the Fresno punk outfit Tower Rats, infusing Long Forgotten’s performances with raw energy and fearless experimentation. At its heart, Long Forgotten celebrates the enduring pulse of Western music. Their performances channel both the rowdy spirit and the reflective soul of California’s Central Valley, offering a sound that bridges past and present—and a reminder that roots music is very much alive and evolving.