Bio
Our Story.
Holt & Cabe is a brother duo from Southwest Florida that composes and performs original Americana music. Their unique, tongue-in-cheek story songs take audiences on an acoustic listening journey. Holt (on guitar) and Cabe (on mandolin) have been working together since 2016 and have played on stages across the U.S.
Inspired by groups including Homer and Jethro, They Might Be Giants, and Simon & Garfunkel, Holt & Cabe focus on originality, creativity, and musicianship. Their original music has been nominated for New Mexico Music Awards. The duo also recently placed third in a national anthem competition with their heartfelt tune, Freedom Hero, judged by Darius Rucker, Rhiannon Giddens, Jason Isbell, and Genesis Be.
In 2017, Holt and Cabe attended their first ever Bluegrass kids camp and fell in love with Bluegrass. Soon after, their family sold their home, and they hit the road. During their three-year cross-country road trip, they attended open mics, music camps, and festivals including the Walnut Valley Festival, the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, MerleFest, and many others. They also learned to play other instruments including harmonica, ukulele, foot tambourine, fiddle, banjo, resonator guitar, accordion, saxophone, and more.
They have busked on the streets from Times Square in NYC to Sunset Celebration in Key West. Along the way, they met many new friends, musical instructors, and supporters. In 2020, they found themselves in Florida, which they now call home.
Holt & Cabe’s varied experiences inspire their music. Recently, they have performed at MerleFest, at the Will McLean Festival, and at The Florida Folk Festival.
Our Timeline.
May 2022
Florida Folk Festival 2022
Three days, three entirely different shows!
Holt & Cabe performed all original music!
April 2022
Cabin Stage at Merlefest
with Pete Wernick
Performing our original tune,
Daisy McGregor, at Merlefest.
Photo by Tim Timberlake.
2020
Move to Florida
In 2020, our family decided to make Florida home.
April 2020
First Online Bluegrass Festival
Performed for the first-time ever online at the TBS Online Bluegrass Festival.
March 2019
First Place in Charleston, SC,
BG Festival Band Competition
A fun weekend at the Charleston BG festival.
September 2018
Cabe competes in WNVF
National Mandolin Competition
With Holt as rhythm player, Cabe competes at festival in Winfield, KS. We also performed with Andy May’s Acoustic Kids Showcase! So much fun!
Fall 2017 – Jan 2020
Busking Cross-Country
As our family traveled, we busked across the nation.
January 2017
First Performance as a Duo
Holt & Cabe perform their original music in Santa Fe, NM.
September 2016
Co-Wrote First Song:
“Cross Country Roadtrip”
In the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north
of Santa Fe, NM, we wrote our first song on a beautiful fall day where the aspen leaves were changing. This day also inspired our song, Deep Down In the Fall.
2012
Started Piano Lessons
We took piano lessons for 3 years before taking up string instruments.