Music
Press
Bluegrass Now Magazine reports that readers and participants of an on-line poll have chosen Williams & Clark Expedition's "I Played The Mandolin" as their top bluegrass song for March 2008. The magazine offers fans the opportunity to vote from a long list of songs from top bluegrass performer's latest projects. The votes are tallied and the top 20 picks are listed on the magazine's web site at www.BluegrassNow.com.
"I Played The Mandolin" was released on the latest self-titled project from Williams & Clark Expedition and holds special meaning for the band. Band member Kimberly Williams explains:
"This was such a surprise and it just means so much to me personally. My Daddy, Phillip East, wrote this song many years ago about me and my family's band. The Expedition was in the process of recording this project in 2005 when Daddy was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We had planned on recording this song and Wayne suggested we bring Daddy into the studio to record with us. It was so difficult for him to do, he was in a lot of pain. But he managed to play rhythm guitar on the song."
Phillip East contributed 4 other songs previously recorded by Williams & Clark Expedition but never heard his final recording on "I Played The Mandolin" as he passed away before the project was completed. Although the band has never performed the song live, it has been a constant on many radio play-lists. "This came about as a result of DJs liking this song and playing it and we are just so thankful that the fans have voted for it," stated Blake Williams. "Not only was Phillip a great writer but he was our biggest supporter. We know this would have made him really happy."
Williams & Clark Expedition was formed in 2000 by Blake & Kimberly Williams, Bobby Clark and Wayne Southards. The band was nominated in 2005 and 2007 for IBMA's Emerging Artist Of The Year and Blake Williams has been nominated the last two years for SPBGMA's Entertainer of The Year". They are also the host band for the Franklin, KY Music Festival held annually in September. For more information on Williams & Clark Expedition and their self-titled project, please visit www.WilliamsAndClarkExpedition.com. For information on the Phillip East Memorial Music Scholarship, please visit www.FranklinMusicFestival.com.
- East Public Relations
Discography
Brand New Set Of Blues 2008
Williams & Clark Expedition 2006
Old Kentucky Road 2004
Born To Roam 2003
New Ground 2002
Photos
Bio
Williams & Clark Expedition could be described by some as a new band on the bluegrass scene. But when you consider the members of the group are Blake Williams, Bobby Clark, Wayne Southards and Kimberly Williams, you know this is not a group of newcomers. All have very impressive musical credentials, having worked for the music’s forefathers, Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt, as well as second generation bluegrass bands, The Bluegrass Cardinals and Tennessee Gentlemen, and more current artists such as Mike Snider, Kathy Chiavola and Larry Cordle. No one can deny the bluegrass pedigree of Williams & Clark Expedition’s members.
What is surprising to most, is the band voice that was created when these talented people formed this band just over 5 years ago. With male and female lead vocalists, the Expedition has unlimited options with their performances. While the vocal style of Wayne Southards is more traditional, Kimberly
Williams’ style lends a bit more contemporary feel to their sound. And don’t forget the humor! Blake Williams is a master comedian and can work an audience who has never heard him before, into the palm of his hand with his wit and delivery. Toss in the mandolin prowess of 2-time world champion Bobby Clark and you have an unprecedented entertaining band!
Williams & Clark Expedition has enjoyed numerous successes since its inception in 2002. The band was approached by a group of people in Franklin, KY about helping to establish and host the Franklin Music Festival. The event is now in it’s 5th year and is not only hosted by the band, but is also
co-produced by the Expedition and has featured some of the greatest talent in bluegrass music and a few outside the realm such as Vince Gill and Marty Stuart. In 2004 the Expedition was the only
bluegrass act to perform for the Country Gold Music Festival in Kumamoto, Japan alongside country artist Darryl Worley and Blue County, which resulted in a feature story on GAC’s “Country Music Across America”, hosted by Storme Warren. And in June, 2007 they were invited to perform at the prestigious Ryman Auditorium for the venue’s “Bluegrass Nights At the Ryman” series. They are also the host band for the Mid-West SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America) awards. But the band received its top accolades thus far when the International Bluegrass Music Association chose them as one of 5 nominees for “Emerging Artist Of The Year” in 2005 and 2007. To date, the band has released 4 CDs and is currently working on their 5th project due for release Spring of 2008.
It is no mystery why this band is becoming so popular so quickly. They offer superb musicianship, hauntingly tight harmonies, traditional and contemporary lead vocal styles, original material, humor, and history in every performance. And each member is as personable as they are talented, believing the audience comes first. They do everything they can to show that, from their stage performances, to the lively conversation with any and all who want to visit afterwards. It really is quite simple…
Williams & Clark Expedition loves what they do and it shows!!!
Booking & Publicity: East Public Relations, info@eastpublicrelations.com, 931-808-8083
Web: www.WilliamsAndClarkExpedition.com
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