Band Biography
Hailing from Kentucky, the 23 String Band pays homage to the deep roots of American traditional music, while pushing forward with genre-bending, hard-driving originals and distinctive arrangements. Their youthful brand of “original hillbilly music” weaves in and out of old-time, bluegrass, acoustic roots, and anything else that strikes their fancy — it’s not uncommon to hear a Beastie Boys cover by these boys. It’s a winning combination that makes for an entertaining and energetic performance, and it’s taken the band everywhere from regional venues and private parties to literary conferences and music festivals. Notable 2010 performances include the Master Musicians Festival, the Forecastle Festival, and the International Bluegrass Museum’s River of Music Party (ROMP). Previous highlights include the 2009 Rhythm-n-Roots Reunion in Bristol, TN/VA; the 2009 Mountain Heritage Literary Festival, featuring Silas House; the 89.3 WDVX Blue Plate Special in Knoxville, TN; and the 2008 ENVI Awards.
MEMBERS
Born into a musical family in the hills of eastern Kentucky, CHRIS SHOUSE began singing and playing guitar around campfires and church revivals. His love affair with mountain music continues to this day; you can hear it in his fine pickin’, and above all in his singing. By turns powerful, sweet, and haunting, he’s got the kind of voice that’ll set your neck hair standing up . . . in a good way! Being one of distinction, you may see Chris with tight rolled jeans, argyle socks, and a band of gypsies following his every footstep.
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CURTIS WILSON comes from the Cumberland Valley region of Kentucky. His grandma having grown up across the street from Dave “String Bean” Akemon had nothing to do with his decision to pick up the banjo, and although he plays the clawhammer style like String Bean, he also plays the two- and three-finger melodic styles as well. He also has a big share of the band’s songwriting. Aside from being the sole voice crying out for Kentucky to cease its involvement with the State Quarter collection, he also moonlights as the lead cut man in the corner of reigning kangaroo boxing champ, “The Captain.”
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Growing up in the river city of Owensboro (just up the road from Bill Monroe’s old homeplace), DAVE HOWARD didn’t play the mandolin, and he didn’t play bluegrass. His first stage appearance was at a high school talent show, playing bass on a Beck song — but losing to the seniors who played the Pearl Jam song. Since then Dave’s made a name for himself as a fine mandolin player and harmony singer — sitting in with Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, filling in for Adrienne Young and Little Sadie, and performing with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra and with bands all over the region. He often has the additional distinction of having the best beard in the room.
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Scotty Moore is a member of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. SCOTT MOORE is not, but he hopes to be one day. Another Kentucky product of a musical family, Scott started playing violin at age four, writing music at six, and singing since before he can remember. He’s been a classical soloist with a number of orchestras, played Bach and Paganini in bars all over the country, and Kentucky fiddle tunes in Carnegie Hall. He’s played and written music in almost every style you can imagine. He’s also been known to climb trees, drive too fast, and streak, but has since cut at least one of those out.
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Leo Weekly –Louisville, KY
While The Avett Brothers are selling out theaters nationwide for high-dollar tickets, it would be pretty easy to catch The 23-String Band around the state for less money and just as much fun. Yes, these local boys employ a very similar approach — a thick concoction of bluegrass, Gram Parsons country, cowpunk (particularly on opener “Ramblin’ Around”) and what the band describes as “Original Hillbilly Music,” though the group seems to stay closer to the source material. Their eponymous debut album features mach-three pickin’, ornate fiddle and mandolin arrangements, upright bass and all the elements of traditional, authentic mountain music with a youthful twist. It doesn’t necessarily matter that The 23-String Band, on record, is not the most original alt-country exploration. The group unequivocally wears its excitement on its sleeve for all 10 tracks, and each song sounds like a blast to see live, which is all that counts in true bluegrass music.
Silas House-
The 23 String Band is the best band to come out of Eastern Kentucky in a long while. Their shows are electrifying, their songwriting is top-notch, and their vocals are as tight as the cork in a jug of moonshine. They’re my favorite band from the region.
Bluegrass Unlimited-Warrenton,VA
The Twenty-Three String Band is old-time group that offers up a new twist to traditional music. The 10 songs are a blending of public domain numbers and such band originals as “Ramblin’ Around,” “East Kentucky Water,” and “Valentines Love Bouquet.” The band’s forte is to take numbers such as “St. James Infirmary,” “Cluck Old Hen,” and “Sleepy Eyed John” and dress them up with fresh new arrangements. The Twenty-Three String Band has certainly given old-time music a face lift and this CD should be eagerly sought after by those who are familiar with the band’s extraordinary brand of music.”
