AJ Roach

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AJ Roach (born 1975) is a singer-songwriter originally from Virginia, but now based in San Francisco, California. Roach was born in Newport News, Virginia, but his family moved to his parents ancestral home in Duffield, Virginia when Roach was still very young.

As a teen-ager, Roach reportedly spent a number of months under the tutelage of cult blues guitarist Washboard Williams, however this rumor has never been properly substantiated, and Roach's playing style does not suggest such tutelage. Roach is best known for his vigorous touring schedule in both the US and in Europe, at times performing as many as 250 dates per year. Roach has had a number of "revolving cast" musicians who have formed his band over the years. Some musicians that Mr. Roach has performed and or recorded with include Mia Birdsong (vocals), Todd Sickafoose (bass), Noe Venable (vocals), Alisa Rose (violin), Nels Cline (guitar), Brian Williams (guitar), Adam Roszkiewicz (guitar, mandolin), Nino Moschella (drums), Tom Meshishnik (guitar).

In 2004, Roach was the general category receipiant of the 12th Annual Chris Austin Songwriting Award at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC.

AJ Roach's first full-length recording is entitled Dogwood Winter and was released in the United States in the summer of 2003 on the New Folkstar recording label. A subsequent UK release followed in January of 2005. A follow-up to Dogwood Winter, Revelation, was released in the UK in late 2006 and is expected to see an American release in early 2007. Revelation reached number 1 on the Euro-Americana Chart in December of 2006. Also in December of 2006, the album reached number 5 on the Freeform Americana and Roots (FAR) Chart.

Roach frequently appears in concert with Nels Andrews. The two have toured together in the United States and Europe in late 2006.[1]