The Honky Tonk Happy Hour at The Shrunken Head brings still more outstanding neo-traditional country music to Columbus music lovers on Friday, November 5th with the venerable Miller-Kelton kicking things off at 6pm, followed by Gipson & Fitz at 7. Belly up to the bar for any number of drink specials, and if you are very lucky, you might just win one of Jamie Lyn’s homemade pies in the weekly raffle.
Miller-Kelton features Julia O'Keefe on vocals, Reilley Forman on Guitar and Banjo, Charlie Forman on slide guitar, Randal Webber, II on drums and keys and Chase Hurlow on bass. The Other Paper’s Rick Allen says “The band plays a pleasant blend of banjo-led Americana wrapped around the honey-sweet vocals of Julia O’Keefe…Keep your ears peeled, however, and you’ll realize the band uses that sort of inoffensive musical language to convey much more mature lyrical themes.” Not only that, but they do a hell of a good cover of “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers”, which is no mean feat in and of itself.
Gipson and Fitz will play their inaugural honky tonk happy hour, entertaining audiences with an original blend of Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, Country and Rock. Brant Gipson lends his extraordinary voice and acoustic guitar; Mark Fitzharris adds his unique vocal ability and his exceptional mandolin; contributing to the group's inspiring body of sound consisting of striking lyrics, strong vocals and bold melodies; String Bassist, Billy Cory, supports the bottom end of the group with his remarkable slap bass, driving bass lines and steady time which completes the unmistakable sound of Gipson & Fitz. It is Rachel Frank, joining the group on violin and viola, who adds an unmistakable edge and that traditional sound that everyone loves to hear, which finishes the fully developed sound of Gipson & Fitz. With solid vocals, harmonies and instrumental performances, Gipson & Fitz indulges the ongoing evolution of their music while maintaining the purity of its roots. The strong songwriting skills within the group, along with a vigorous passion for the art of music, drive Gipson & Fitz to continually strive for new sounds to please audiences of all ages. Having appeared in various projects, the members of the Gipson and Fitz are no stranger to the stage. The most notable of which were "Uncle Sam's Dream Machine,” the "Uptown Elephant Company" and the "Teeny Tucker Band.” As former members of these groups, they played many different venues across multiple states and shared the stage with legendary artists such as Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Dylan, Rusted Root, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Bo Diddley Jr. and Buddy Guy. If you enjoy discovering lively new original tunes and rediscovering classics in a new light, then be sure to check out Gipson & Fitz at the Honky Tonk Happy Hour!
