About Option 22

Option 22 isn’t just a band—they’re a force for transformation, rooted in Appalachia and resonating far beyond. Based in the creative wilds of Princeton, West Virginia, this five-piece collective creates music that emerges organically from soul, rhythm, and flow—often described as living at the intersection of roots rock, world funk, folk, and Americana—shaped by a deep commitment to love, peace, and community healing.

Led by founding duo Lori McKinney and Robert Blankenship, Option 22 approaches music as medicine, crafted to elevate, empower, and connect. Their live performances are both cathartic and electric, weaving uplifting messages, improvisation, and presence into high-vibe sets that invite audiences into a shared experience.

Rounding out the lineup are James Hart on bass, Ary’an Graham on drums, and Jacob Brooks on lead guitar. Together, they bring deep groove, rich texture, and a soulful, fire-forged chemistry to every stage they touch.

But Option 22’s work extends far beyond the music. These artists are changemakers—visionaries and builders who have spent the last two decades cultivating a cultural movement in their hometown. Through their nonprofit, RiffRaff Arts Collective, they’ve helped transform a once-forgotten downtown into a thriving hub of music, art, dialogue, and connection. From hosting festivals and community conversations to founding the long-running Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival, their mission remains clear: use creativity to spark transformation from the inside out.

That same vision carries into their touring multimedia show, Create Your State, which inspires other towns to ignite their own creative revolutions. Most recently, they launched We Need to Talk, a powerful music-video-and-dialogue series designed to bridge divides and build community through honest storytelling and artistic truth.

With three albums of unreleased music ready to drop and a deep well of lived experience to draw from, Option 22 is stepping back into the spotlight—not for ego, but for impact. Their earlier releases, The Change and Choose the Music, laid the foundation. What’s coming next is rooted, intentional, and alive. Calling in Awakenings is slated for release in Spring 2026, with two more albums of unreleased music waiting in the wings.

The Journey & The Mission

Since 2004, Lori McKinney (vocals, drums, djembe, spoken word) and Robert Blankenship (guitar, shamisen, hand drums, didgeridoo) have been weaving music that inspires and unites. Now infusing the mix are the intricate bass lines of James Hart (bass), the rock-solid, seasoned rhythms of Ary’an Graham (drums) and the soulful guitar stylings of Jacob Brooks (lead guitar). Rather than focusing on touring and promoting our music, we chose a different path—We planted roots in our neighborhood, dedicating our energy to creating spaces where music could heal, uplift, and inspire. We create venues, events, and experiences that inspire and uplift, including open stage nights, festivals, public art, and community conversations, and we launched Culturefest, now in its 22nd year—a weekend-long creative oasis promoting unity and connection. For us, music is the seed, the spark, the revolution. It fuels everything we do—every show, every festival, every community movement. Option 22 isn’t just a band—it’s an ongoing creation, a story we’re still writing, and a vision for what’s possible when music and art lead the way.