Sarah Napolitan: Since Grandma Hazel handed down her used Epiphone to her in sixth grade, Sarah Napolitan has been singing and writing songs. Her first album of 12 original songs, Scrapeless and Nameless and True, was created in her basement in 1999. She founded and was president of the Folksong Society of singers and songwriters at Ursinus College from 2001-2004, and eventually helped coordinate the production of an album of fellow singer/songwriters in addition to dozens of hosted and programmed open mics and shows at which she coordinated and performed.
Gene Smith: “I was first introduced to Joe Tokay's "weird" cousin Ernie in the summer of 1974. A skinny, bug-eyed kid with curly hair, we let him hang out with us misfits for the day. He didn't say much, but I remember thinking he was funny and I liked him. We met again a few years later and instantly began playing music together. Ernie was the first guy I ever met who wrote his own songs. Good ones too. We consider ourselves most fortunate to be able to play the music we love with so many good friends. To us this is not just a collection of songs, but part of the soundtrack to our lives. We lay bare our hearts, souls and philosophies in the hope that we may entertain and enlighten a wider audience. Or at least make them laugh.”
Ernie Tokay: ”Dad taught me “Freight Train” when I was Five. Then later I met Gene through some High School friends. Gene and I are a very portable musical unit. Requiring only a small carbon footprint. The Turnips is really that portability at the core. We've enhanced the sound by adding some of our very talented friends. Out of the blue one day Sarah asks if she could sing with us. Sure, why not? Well it worked out real well! So for me the Turnips is one of those things that I can come back to center. Be small and tall at the same time. A place to restore, reinvent.”