...Clayton Knight ...Runs Real Good

Runs Real Good

Runs Real Good: photo of the band

Runs Real Good plays traditional bluegrass... mostly. Now and then we stray over the musical border, when we find a song that's just too good to pass up. We got together in the spring of 2007, looking for a chance to play honest, wholehearted music. We like songs that tell good stories, that go to familiar places—and we try to play them in a way that wouldn?t upset the founders too much: with energy, humor, and a little polish.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Runs Real Good features Clayton Knight, Luke Merriam, Kelli Plummer and Tom and Bill Marshall (see our bios below).

Logo for RRG is an illustration of an old-style locomotive

We perform regularly throughout the Northwest. Check back here to see where we'll be next! Or sign up for our mailing list to receive notification of our appearances.

For Booking information or other Inquiries, drop a line to RunsRealGood@comcast.com.


Clayton Knight

Clayton Knight

Clayton discovered bluegrass music at a festival in Culpepper, Va. in 1972.

A member of the high-energy traditional band Sasquatch Revival from 2005 to 2007, he plays guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, and sings lead and tenor. His heroes are the great brother duets: Charlie and Ira Louvin, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, and Everett and Bea Lilly.

Kelli Plummer

Kelli Plummer

Kelli started playing the string bass at age 8 by standing on a chair to reach the strings. She grew up playing in church, in high school and college orchestras, and accompanying her banjo- and guitar-playing Dad.

Kelli sings lead and tenor, and in her spare time, teaches Special Education at Prairie High School.

Tom Marshall

Tom Marshall

"It may not look like it," Tom Marshall says, "but I can play the dobro like the wind blows."

Actually, Tom is the most humble member of Runs Real Good, but he?s right. He?s happy to be Bill and Kathy?s son, and Emily?s dad. He writes great songs, sings lead and baritone, and—oh yeah—has been building and driving race cars since he was fifteen.

Bill Marshall

Bill Marshall

Raising a family and putting bread on the table, Bill Marshall never got around to the banjo. Until 2002, that is, when he picked it up and hasn't set it down since.

Before joining RRG he played the 5-string with The New Old Timers. He is known for having built a complete banjo out of stuff he swept up from the floor of his shop.

See photos

A Runs Real Good Photo Selection

As we play our music around town, friends and fans often take pictures of our performances. We hope you enjoy seeing them.

To view some of the photos in our collection, please go the gallery page.