The
Wayword Sons is one of the most interesting new bands in today's music
scene. Combining the critically acclaimed songwriting of Benny Galloway
and stellar musicianship within the unique instrumentation of keyboards,
dobro, acoustic guitar and upright bass, The Wayword sound is truly something
special.
Though the band is newly formed, many music fans find familiar faces and
sounds in the Wayword Sons. Benny's musical association with Yonder Mountain
String Band, whose 2003 recording, “Old Hands”, features only songs written
by Benny, has made him a sort of cult hero among Yonder's multitude of
fans. Benny has handpicked a cohesive unit of some of the finest young
musicians in the country to play his music the way that it should be heard.
Calling upon traditional bluegrass as a jumping off point for musical
experimentation, the Sons create a sound that is jammy, yet tight, lyrical,
yet improvisational, and tender, yet rock solid. Bound by the love of
songs and the chance to play them together, The Wayword Sons’ genre-bending
live sound is an unlikely combination of old and new, sweet and salty,
… as creative and unique as it is hard to define.
While fans are falling in love with the live sound of the Wayword Sons,
musicians and peers are also taking note of the creative and inherently
musical nature of the band. When Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String
Band needed a band to fatten up his sound for a headlining festival set
in the spring of 2006, he called upon The Sons. Later that fall, Vince
Herman of Leftover Salmon did the same for a run of shows in the Southeast.
The band’s first album, “Poor Boy’s Delight” (Hamshack Records, August, 2006), being distributed nationally by MRI/RED Distribution, debuted in the top ten of Billboard Magazine’s bluegrass charts and is a diverse collection of original songs. Representing a combination of soft, tender tunes that spill into intense jams, this album speaks to The Wayword Sons’ success and showcases their ability to play host to a fusion of many new sounds. Commenting on the band’s first album, Galloway looks to the future: “To think that we all met in a small town out in southwestern Colorado is right around mind bending. Chance, luck, or fate and you hold in your hand this collection of songs and stories we call Poor Boy's Delight. I can only imagine the next batch of ideas rendered to melody at the hands of the Wayword Sons.” Boasting energy from their newly formed success and celebration of their new album, The Wayword Sons continue to amaze audiences and enlarge their rapidly growing fan base.
Benny “Burle”
Galloway :
Benny “Burle” Galloway has been one of the best-kept musical secrets in
the country. His songs sound like they are a hundred years old, yet connect
with the listener on a level that few songwriters achieve. Burle writes
songs that are both complex and simple, songs so powerful that the Yonder
Mountain String Band chose to make an album with Burle, consisting only
of tunes by Burle, with special guests like Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas,
Sally Van Meter, Darol Angor, Casey Dreisen and Dirk Powell. This album,
billed as “Yonder Mountain String Band and Benny Galloway”, “Old Hands”,
debuted at #5 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts and is Yonder Mountain
String Bands best selling studio album to date. As a performer, Burle
puts everything he has into his soulful singing and playing, whether he
is on the upright bass or guitar. As a songwriter, Burle continues to
crank out amazing songs, each one unique and better than the last.
Gregg
Andrulis:
(photo: Dave Boothroy)
Gregg Andrulis plays the keyboards. He is a musician who can fit into
and expand any realm of music he chooses to. Thankfully, he chooses to
play Burle tunes. Gregg has contributed to a number of rock, jam and jazz
bands over the years. Most notably, he played with Brendan Bayliss and
Ryan Stasik in Tashi Station, the precursur to today's jamband giants:
Umphrey's McGee. His entrance into the world of acoustic based music was
accidental. When he moved to Colorado and started looking for the best
musicians to play with, he found Burle and has been hooked ever since.
Gregg's keyboard stylings, be them the sweet sounds of a piano or the
psychedelic sounds of the space pad, help take the Wayword Sons just where
they want to be, uncharted territory.
Anders
Beck:
Anders Beck plays the resonator guitar or dobro. He was a founding member
of what may turn out to be one of the most notable farm-teams in bluegrass,
Broke Mountain . His playing and songwriting helped shoot the band quickly
into the spotlight when they won the 2003 Rockygrass Band Contest only
two months after forming the band. Anders' dobro playing is tasteful and
melodious, unique and ever evolving to create a sweet, lyrical sound that
fits perfectly into the Wayword Sons.
Pete
Kartsounes:
(photo: Dave Boothroy)
Pete Kartsounes plays acoustic guitar and he easily moves his strong and
soul-filled voice between harmony and lead vocals. Having played all over
the country in funk/jazz bands like Willis, newgrass bands like Possum
Logic and Acoustic Semi, and doing lots of solo singer/songwriter gigs
over the past ten years, Pete’s musical diversity makes him a perfect
fit for the Sons. Pete has shared the stage with the like of the North
Mississippi Allstars, Melvin Seals and JGB, Peter Rowan, Tony Furtado,
moe., and the Radiators. He is a great songwriter and is currently finishing
up his 3rd solo album.