The Waybacks

Last updated
The Waybacks
Waybacks.jpg
Background information
Origin San Francisco Bay Area
GenresProgressive bluegrass, rock
Years active1998-present
LabelsCompass Records, Fiddling Cricket
Members James Nash
Warren Hood
Joe Kyle Jr.
Chuck Hamilton
Past membersWayne "Chojo" Jacques
Stevie Coyle
Glenn Houston
Chris Kee
Peter Tucker
Website www.waybacks.com

The Waybacks are an American four-piece band based in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Their style has been alternately described as Americana, Progressive bluegrass, rock-n-roll, folk, and acoustic mayhem. [1] They described themselves as a "power trio with a fiddler" in an interview with NPR. [2]

Contents

The group's most notable performances to date have included sets at large festivals such as MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, [3] the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, [4] and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. [5] They have also headlined the Great American Music Hall and Yoshi's in their home city of San Francisco. They have a tradition of covering entire classic rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's II , the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers , and the Beatles' Abbey Road at the Hillside Album Hour at Merlefest. [6] They have performed with a wide array of artists, including Bob Weir, [7] Emmylou Harris, [8] Elvis Costello, [9] Joan Osborne, Susan Tedeschi, Sam Bush, John Cowan, [7] Gillian Welch, [5] and David Rawlings. [5]

The band's second album, Burger After Church, was described by David Royko of the Chicago Tribune as the "near-ideal balance of irreverence, chops, discipline, and originality". [10] The band began recording for Compass Records in 2006, releasing From The Pasture To The Future, produced by Lloyd Maines. Their 2008 Compass release Loaded, produced by Byron House, [8] made it to number 4 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums list, [11] and featured a guest appearance by Sam Bush on mandolin. [8]

History

1998: Formation

The band got its start at Irish pub The Plough And The Stars in San Francisco, where Stevie Coyle (vocals, fingerpicked guitar), Wayne "Chojo" Jacques (vocals, fiddle, mandolin) and Glenn (Pomianek) Houston (flatpicked guitar), began performing as an acoustic trio. The band soon became a five-piece with the addition of Peter Tucker (drums) and Chris Kee (vocals, bass). [12]

19992000: Rise to national attention

Songwriter, lead guitarist and singer James Nash replaced Glenn Houston in June 1999, before the recording of the Waybacks' first album Devolver. [13] With the addition of Nash's songwriting and distinctive guitar improvisations, [14] and without professional management or an agency (booking and promotion spearheaded internally by Coyle), the Waybacks quickly moved from playing small local pubs and coffeehouses to headlining concert halls and roots/folk/bluegrass festivals throughout North America and abroad. [15] James Nash remains the most consistent of the band's members, and he is featured on all of the Waybacks' studio and live recordings. [16]

The band released their first album Devolver in May of 2000. Critics praised the “absolutely top drawer musicianship,” noting the dual leads of Nash and Jacques, and the “driving finger-style guitar” of Stevie Coyle. [13]

Performances during the Coyle/Jacques/Nash/Kee/Tucker period included the Strawberry and Wintergrass music festivals, [17] and showcases at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN, and Folk Alliance in Vancouver, BC, and Kerrville, TX. The band began to build a national audience as tracks from its first album were added to playlists on KPFK Los Angeles, WNUR Chicago, WICN Boston, KFAI Minneapolis, WYEP Pittsburgh, and WYMS Milwaukee. [18]

2001Present

James Nash at MerleFest in 2010. Jamesnash-fls.jpg
James Nash at MerleFest in 2010.

Bassist Joe Kyle, Jr., and drummer Chuck Hamilton replaced Chris Kee and Peter Tucker in early 2001, as the Waybacks transitioned into a full-time touring project. This five-piece (Coyle/Jacques/Nash/Kyle/Hamilton) is featured on the band's second studio album Burger After Church, released in 2002. [19] In 2003, the band hired manager Michael Nash (Tritone Management) and agent Mary Brabec (now of Billions Corporation), [20] both of whom still represent the Waybacks. Songwriter, fiddler and singer Warren Hood replaced Chojo Jacques in September 2004 during the recording of the band's third studio album, From The Pasture to the Future. Stevie Coyle left the band in September 2007, leaving the quartet lineup that continues to this day: Nash, Hood, Kyle, Hamilton.

The band's performances have included venues such as the Kennedy Center, [21] Ryman Auditorium, Old Town School of Music, [22] The Warfield, The Fillmore, and the Bumbershoot, [23] Wakarusa, [24] and Edmonton Folk festivals. In their peak touring seasons between 2000–2009, the Waybacks averaged between 100-200 shows/year.

The Waybacks continue performing sporadically, and in July 2011 the band released a live album covering The Allman Brothers' "Eat A Peach" in its entirety with Joan Osborne on lead vocals. [25] In April 2012, the band hosted the 5th Annual Merlefest Album Hour, performing Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" with guest vocalists Sarah Dugas, Susan Tedeschi, Jim Lauderdale, and John Cowan. [26] In the years that followed, the Album Hour became a "mainstay" at Merlefest, running 12 years in a row as of 2019, [27] featuring the music of Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Bob Dylan, The Band, Bruce Springsteen. The event has become a "fan favorite," notable for "exploring... lyrical themes by juxtaposing music from other artists and time periods". [28] In 2017, "Rolling Stone" magazine dubbed the annual event "one of the most anticipated performances of the festival," and described the band's adaptation of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" as "an inventive tribute studded with sounds that spanned the psychedelic era". [29]

In August, 2019, the Waybacks began performing a song by the North African band Tinariwen, who were receiving death threats for their overlapping tour of the American Southeast. [30]

Discography

Related Research Articles

Bill Monroe American bluegrass musician, songwriter

William Smith Monroe was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".

Doc Watson American guitarist, songwriter and singer

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's fingerstyle and flatpicking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional American music, were highly regarded. Blind from a young age, he performed publicly both in a dance band and solo, as well as for over 15 years with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, until Merle's death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm.

Béla Fleck American banjo player

Béla Anton Leoš Fleck is an American banjo player. An acclaimed virtuoso, he is an innovative and technically proficient pioneer and ambassador of the banjo, bringing the instrument from its bluegrass roots to jazz, classical, rock and various world music genres. He is best known for his work with the bands New Grass Revival and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Fleck has won 15 Grammy Awards and been nominated 33 times.

Sam Bush American mandolinist

Charles Samuel Bush is an American mandolinist who is considered an originator of progressive bluegrass music. In 2020, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of New Grass Revival.

Old Crow Medicine Show Americana string band based in Tennessee

Old Crow Medicine Show is an Americana string band based in Nashville, Tennessee, that has been recording since 1998. They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on September 17, 2013. Their ninth album, Remedy, released in 2014, won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. The group's music has been called old-time, folk, and alternative country. Along with original songs, the band performs many pre-World War II blues and folk songs.

Del McCoury American bluegrass musician

Delano Floyd McCoury is an American bluegrass musician. As leader of the Del McCoury Band, he plays guitar and sings lead vocals along with his two sons, Ronnie McCoury and Rob McCoury, who play mandolin and banjo respectively. In June 2010, he received a National Heritage Fellowship lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts and in 2011 he was elected into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Merle Watson North Carolina bluegrass and folk musician

Eddy Merle Watson was an American folk and bluegrass guitarist. He was best known for his performances with his father, Doc Watson. Merle played and recorded albums together with his father from age 15 until his death in a tractor accident 21 years later. Merle was widely recognized as one of the best flat-picking and slide guitarists of his generation. MerleFest, one of the world's largest and most-prestigious folk music festivals, is held annually in Wilkesboro, NC and is named in his honor.

MerleFest

MerleFest is an annual "traditional plus" music festival held in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on the campus of Wilkes Community College. The festival, which is held the last weekend in April, was hosted by Grammy Award winner Doc Watson prior to his death and is named in memory and honor of his son, Eddy Merle Watson, who died in a farm tractor accident in 1985.

Abigail Washburn American musician

Abigail Washburn is an American clawhammer banjo player and singer. She performs and records as a soloist, as well as with the old-time bands Uncle Earl and Sparrow Quartet, experimental group The Wu Force, and as a duo with her husband Béla Fleck.

The Greencards American progressive bluegrass band

The Greencards are an American progressive bluegrass band that formed in 2003 in Austin, Texas, and relocated in 2005 to Nashville, Tennessee. The band was founded by Englishman Eamon McLoughlin and Australians Kym Warner and Carol Young. The musicians originally performed in local Austin bars, and soon found increasing acclaim. They have released one independent album, Movin' On, in 2003, and two albums, Weather and Water and Viridian, on the Dualtone record label. Their fourth album, Fascination, was released on Sugar Hill in 2009. Their fifth album, The Brick Album (2011), was self-produced with the direct support of their fans. Pre-production donors were recognized with their names inscribed on the "bricks" that make up the cover art.

FestivaLink presents The Duhks at MerleFest, NC 4/24/09 is the second live album by The Duhks. It was produced online at FestivaLink.net, drawn primarily from their live performance at Merlefest 2009. It is notable for several special guest musicians.

Lovell Sisters Musical artist

The Lovell Sisters were an American acoustic music trio, known for their tight harmonies and strong instrumental performances. The Lovell Sisters consisted of three permanent members: Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell. Although the band had roots in bluegrass and classical music, the band described its music as progressive acoustic.

Megan Nash is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Mortlach, Saskatchewan. Her latest album Seeker was released on September 22, 2017.

Watchhouse American folk duo

Watchhouse is an Americana/folk duo based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group was formed in 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and consists of songwriter Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, who are married to each other. Watchhouse has produced six albums of Marlin's original works of American roots music. In the last three years, the group has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Rooster Walk, and MerleFest and the Omagh Bluegrass Festival. Watchhouse was the featured artist on CBS This Mornings Saturday Morning Sessions on December 7, 2019.

Billy Strings American bluegrass musician (born 1992)

Billy Strings is an American Grammy Award–winning guitarist and bluegrass musician.

Korby Lenker American singer-songwriter

Korby Lenker is an American folk and Americana singer-songwriter as well as an author of short stories. He is known for his album Thousand Springs and his book of short stories, Medium Hero. The son of a mortician and a school teacher, Lenker was born in 1976 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Lenker maintains an active touring schedule.

James Nash (musician) American guitarist and singer

James Nash is an American guitarist and singer best known for his work with the band the Waybacks.

North Carolina Songbook is the 11th album from American bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers. The album was released on Yep Roc Records on November 29, 2019, for Record Store Day/Black Friday. The digital and wide releases for North Carolina Songbook came on April 10, 2020. album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart. It also reached #9 on the Americana/Folk Albums chart, #22 on the Current Country Albums chart, #29 on the Record Label Independent Albums chart, and #119 on the Top Current Albums chart. North Carolina Songbook was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in March 2021.

References

  1. Yonke, David (2004-05-28). "'Acoustic mayhem' works for Waybacks". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  2. Blum, Jim (2008-04-15). "The Waybacks: Power Trio and a Fiddler". NPR. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  3. Burtch, Anson (2006-04-30). "Americana Lives At Merlefest". Jambase. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008.
  4. Payne, Bob (2010-06-13). "Chattanooga's Live Music Scene - Riverbend Day 2 Review, Day 3 Preview". The Chattanoogan. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2006 (Sunday)". strictlybluegrass.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2006.
  6. Wood, Jesse (2017-04-17). "Three Cryptic Clues Released So Far for The Wayback's 10th Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest". High Country Press. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  7. 1 2 "The Waybacks". Free Times. 2008-07-16.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Graham Weekly Album Review #1519: The Waybacks: Loaded, by George Graham". georgegraham.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  9. Gilmor, Susan (2013-04-26). "Air of mystery surround Hillside Album Hour". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  10. Royko, David (2002-12-15). "Best Compact Discs of the Year: Bluegrass/Newgrass". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012.
  11. "Bluegrass Albums - The Week of April 19, 2008". billboard.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  12. Parrish, Michael (January 2010). "Houston Jones: Rebellious Children or Triumphant Lions" (PDF). Dirty Linen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Devolver - AllMusic Review by Ann Wickstrom". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  14. Jude Gold (December 2003). "Chops: Hot Guitarist Alert! James Nash". Guitar Player . Vol. 37, no. 12. Archived from the original on 2003-12-07.
  15. "Folk Explosion: The Waybacks strike a chord with fans of old-timey music". sfweekly.com. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  16. "The Waybacks: Discography". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  17. "Strawberry Music Festival CDR's". shootyourradio.8m.net. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  18. "Top Albums and Songs of December 2000". folkradio.org. Archived from the original on 26 April 2005.
  19. "Burger After Church: Review". rambles.net. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  20. "Billions: The People". billions.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2009.
  21. "Pop Rock Folk Jazz Etc". Washington Post. 2001-07-27. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  22. "The Waybacks CD Release". oldtownschool.org. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009.
  23. "Monday Lineup". bumbershoot.org. Archived from the original on 9 August 2005.
  24. "2007 Artist Lineup". wakarusa.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012.
  25. "Joan Osborne returns for Hillside Album Hour". The Watauga Democrat. 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  26. Oliver, Kevin (2012-04-28). "MerleFest Day 3: And the Hillside Album is..." Country Standard Time. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  27. Correspondent, Eddie Huffman Special. "The Waybacks to bring spirit of invention, surprise to The Ramkat". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
  28. "Exclusive: James Nash and The Waybacks Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest 2015". No Depression. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
  29. Streissguth, Michael; Stone, Rolling (2017-05-01). "MerleFest 2017: 11 Best Things We Saw at the Roots Music Festival". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
  30. O'Donnell, Lisa (2019-09-10). "Local musicians stand up to hate, record songs of Tinariwen". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2021-03-06.