The Ditty Bops

The harmonizing Ditty Bops may reside in a contemporary metropolitan city (Los Angeles) but their music pays tribute to a dusty bygone era of ragtime, swing and vaudeville cabaret. Founding singers Amanda Barrett and Abby Dewald both grew up in California -- Amanda in Topanga where she learned to play the fretted dulcimer and Abby up north in Shasta County, where she lived in a house where only classical music was played. They met as adults in NYC while both were attending a late-night showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1998. Four years later (and now sweethearts) they moved back to California, began writing and playing songs together and, in 2004, released their first self-titled album. It showcased the enchanting old-timey sound that they first stumbled upon while members of a band that wore period costumes and performed 1920s cover songs. In 2006, their second effort Moon Over The Freeway was released. This launched the Ditty Bops' 2006 Bicycle Tour, a cross-country trip from Los Angeles to New York City not only in support of their latest CD, but also to promote cycling and clean air. They performed along the way and also encouraged fans to join them on parts of their trek.