Joplin, based in New York, and Starr, in Nashville, met while on the road performing their solo music. At Joplin's suggestion, they got together to record an album of traditional folk music. The eponymous album was completed in six days, without any label affiliation having been set. Verve Forecast then stepped in to pick it up, and Among the Oak & Ash was released on June 16, 2009, while the duo was embarked on a spring tour to promote it. ~ William Ruhlmann