Swiftwater was conceived around campfires and on porch swings where friends and family played old tunes and swapped stories. In 2005, Joan Alderman, Amy Alderman, and Al & Wretha Webb submitted a recording of their songs to the Florida Folk Festival and Swiftwater was officially born. Their music is a reflection of pride in their heritage, incorporating collected memories and stories from generations of loggers, farmers, Florida regimental volunteers, Scotch and Irish immigrants, and other Panhandle pioneers. They are a fusion of bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues, and classic country styles, what some might call “traditional-plus.” By 2007, Swiftwater had grown to include the talents of Ruth Hagy on bass and Jesse Seabolt on mandolin.