Old Crow Medicine Show: A Raw ‘Wagon Wheel’ Gem From 2005
A newly-resurfaced YouTube clip from the 2005 Cambridge Folk Festival captures Old Crow Medicine Show at their most stripped-back – just a handful of musicians, one mic, and the kind of harmony work that reminds you why this band became a force in modern Americana.
Old Crow Medicine Show at Cambridge Folk Festival
Long before stadium crowds and Grammy wins, Old Crow Medicine Show were carving out a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts in roots music. This video – filmed on what looks like a handheld camcorder in a field at Cambridge – brings it all back. No production tricks, no big stage, just the band doing what they originally did best: busking.
They circle around a single microphone, acoustic instruments packed in tight, a small crowd gathered inches away. It’s raw, unvarnished, and bursting with the kind of energy you only get when a band is playing because they have to, not because someone told them to.
Old Crow Medicine Show Perform a Raw ‘Wagon Wheel’
Hearing “Wagon Wheel” in this setting almost feels like discovering the song for the first time. Long before Darius Rucker turned it into a global country anthem, Old Crow’s version had that dusty, road-worn charm – a tune passed down through generations and re-stitched into something new.
In this clip, that spirit is front and centre. The harmonies ring out in the open air, Ketch Secor’s fiddle absolutely tears through the melody, and you can see the emotion written across every band member’s face. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why this song resonated long before mainstream country radio ever touched it.
“Wagon Wheel” appears on Old Crow Medicine Show’s 2004 album O.C.M.S., the record that helped cement them as revivalists of old-time string band music while still sounding fresh and urgent
OCMS’ Legacy – And Why They Deserve More Credit
There’s always been a bit of irony in how “Wagon Wheel” became synonymous with Darius Rucker for so many people. His version was huge – undeniably – but it sometimes overshadowed just how good Old Crow Medicine Show are as a band. They aren’t one-song wonders. They’re multi-instrumentalists, storytellers, and a group of musicians who kicked open the door for the new-generation Americana revival.
Their early years busking on street corners shaped that unmistakable grit: fast banjo runs, high-lonesome harmonies, and that fiddle that can slice through a crowd like a siren. This 2005 video is a perfect reminder of all of that – a band built on craft, not commercial polish.
Where Old Crow Medicine Show Are Now
Nearly two decades after that Cambridge performance, Old Crow Medicine Show are still going strong. They’re frequent guests at the Grand Ole Opry – practically part of the furniture at this point – and remain one of the most energetic live acts in roots music. Most recently, the band released OCMS XMAS, a festive record packed with their signature string-band swagger and old-time charm. It’s a reminder that even after all these years, they’re still finding new ways to put their stamp on American music while carrying that same spirit you see in the 2005 Cambridge clip.
Check the full song out on Spotify here: