Hillbenders Win Bluegrass Comp

2009 Telluride Band Competition Winners: The Hillbenders

The Hillbenders

The Hillbenders are taking the bluegrass world by storm. From the Ozark Mountains to the Rocky Mountains, The Hillbenders continue to rise like the sea level, reaching for the sky. With original music, strong vocals, rich harmonies, unwavering energy, and out-going personalities, The Hillbenders claimed the prestigious title and recognition as the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition Winners (check out JamBase’s review of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival here).

The Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition in Colorado is nationally recognized and has served as the proving grounds for such bands as Nickel Creek and The Dixie Chicks in years past. It is an immense honor to win the competition and to perform on a stage that has been graced by some of the greatest names in bluegrass, many of whom still make regular appearances.

Residing in Springfield, MO, The Hillbenders are a dynamic string quintet of individually accomplished musicians; Nolan Lawrence on mandolin/vocals, Jim Rea on guitar/vocals, Gary Rea on bass/vocals, Mark Cassidy on banjo/vocals, and Chad “Gravy Boat” Graves on dobro/vocals. Brought together through their mutual desire to write and perform original music, they combine the traditions of bluegrass with their own diverse musical influences from Jimmy Martin to The Beatles to Guy Clark. They bring a toe-tapping, knee-slapping good time wherever they go by delivering catchy, original music filled with rich, four-part harmonies, intricate arrangements, and skilled instrumental parts.

What’s next for the Hillbenders? They will keep their momentum going by returning to Colorado in July to compete in the equally prestigious Rockygrass Bluegrass Band Competition. They are also hard at work in the studio with producer Jeremy Chapman wrapping up their first full-length record, slated to release early this fall. The highly anticipated album will be a must-have for bluegrass fans near and wide and is expected to be a hot commodity upon release.

Tour Dates:
07/10/09 Fri Sounds on the Square Springfield, MO
07/11/09 Sat Basin Park Ampitheater Eureka Springs, AR
07/17/09 Fri Canoe Club Lees Summit, MO
07/18/09 Sat Swing Station Laporte, CO
07/24/09 Fri RockyGrass Lyons, CO
07/25/09 Sat RockyGrass Lyons, CO
07/31/09 Fri Patton Alley Pub Springfield, MO
08/16/09 Sun Mud Lake Bluegrass Festival Dubuque, IA
08/22/09 Sat Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival Eureka Springs, AR
08/28/09 Fri Fall Fest Holden, MO
09/26/09 Sat Grapegrass Music Festival Warrensburg, MO
09/28/09 Mon IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN
09/29/09 Tue IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN
09/30/09 Wed IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN
09/30/09 Wed IBMA After Hours Showcase – NIBGA Nashville, TN
10/01/09 Thu IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN
10/02/09 Fri IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN
10/03/09 Sat IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Nashville, TN