The Hillbenders Blog

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We are playing in Springfield Oct 6th, which just happens to be @gravyboatjohnson birthday! Celebrate with us and hear tunes off our upcoming record, and rock out with @moodringcircus and The Midterms. Mega jam at the end of the night. Boogie! (at The Riff) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKLvU9gBa4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bpl37nykdxdt

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The view from @GravyBoatJohnson s perspective. #pettygrass #kellerfreakerbythespeakerwilliams (at Mishawaka Amphitheatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BngCRz_Ag0x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lzrbvhd7djm7

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Vegas! We are pleased to announce we will be at the Bender Jamboree with Keller Williams’ PettyGrass, as well as TOMMY a Bluegrass Opry! #pettygrass #tommyabluegrassopry #hillbenders @bender_jamboree (at Bender Jamboree)

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Thanks Floyd Fest for having Keller Williams PettyGrass with The HillBenders! @floydfestva #pettygrass #kellerwilliams #hillbenders (at FloydFest)

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We are thrilled that Keller Williams has asked us to join him this year to honor the late Tom Petty in a bluegrass fashion! Keep an eye out for upcoming dates!

https://kellerwilliams.net/projects/pettygrass-ft-the-hillbenders/

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The HillBenders turned 10 this year! It’s been quite a journey, we are proud to say we still have all the original members. Lots of new things on the horizon, keep an eye out for a new record this year, as well as more fun adventures to follow. Thanks from Jimmy, Nolan, Mark, Gary and Gravy to all of you who have kept us going for the last decade. 

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Tommy gets featured performance on SiriusXM

We recorded a live performance of "Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry" at SiriusXM Studios in NYC recently, complete with commentary by yours truly! As if that wasn't cool enough, it will be featured as a 4th of July weekend special airing Saturday 7/4 9 am & 5 pm ET and Sunday 7/5 noon & 9 pm ET on SiriusXM Outlaw Country!!! Tune in and check it out!

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Country Standard Time Review

Great review by Donald Teplyske:

“Six months ago, few had heard of The Hillbenders, a rather non-descript bluegrass band from Springfield, Mo. Today, they are garnering more press for their new release than most bluegrass bands attract in a decade.”

Full Review: http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=5755

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High Notes Magazine Review

Check out this fantastic feature written by former IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell. 

Full Review: http://www.wellspringpub.com/flipbook2015/index.html

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New York City Music Daily Featured Review

“And while it’s probably unfair to weigh how much more texture, and dynamics, and flair guitarist Jim Rea, mandolinist Nolan Lawrence, dobro player Chad Graves and banjo player Mark Cassidy add, by comparison to all of Pete Townshend’s overdubs, the ultimate result is that the Hillbenders’ version is arguably even more epic. And what more could you possibly want from a rock opera? That probably explains why Townshend has given his blessing to the album.” Full review: https://newyorkmusicdaily.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/hillbenders/

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Tommy debuts at #3 on Billboard Bluegrass Chart!

We are so excited to share the news of our Billboard Chart action with the world. Thanks to everybody who has picked up a copy already. Don’t forget to call your local radio station and request tracks of the new record!

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UK Purchase Links Announced!

Got any extra Euro burning a hole in your pocket? Grab a copy of “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” and thank us later!

Proper Music UK: http://goo.gl/ULjPam

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/lx46ie

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Lonesome Road Review

Amazing review by Aaron Keith Harris:

“The HillBenders’ re-telling of The Who’s Tommy, the first great rock opera, shows that bluegrass music is not only capable of doing this sort of thing, but that it is uniquely suited for it.”

Full Review: http://lonesomeroadreview.com/2015/06/09/tommy-a-bluegrass-opry-by-the-hillbenders/

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The wait is over - “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” is now available to the public!

It has been an exciting few months leading up to the release of this album, including critically-acclaimed performances at SXSW and FOLK Alliance International, sold out CD release shows, and even getting an invitation from Mr. Pete Townshend himself to meet backstage at The Who's Nashville concert at Bridgestone Arena.

You can purchase the record here on our website, or by visiting any of the links below:

From us Directly: https://hillbenders.spinshop.com

Your Local Record Store: http://goo.gl/XmXPF4

iTunes: http://goo.gl/50U8w8

Amazon: http://goo.gl/MJQwFM

We have a busy schedule coming up this June bringing TOMMY to the Northeastern United States and Canada. Don't miss your chance to catch a live performance of Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, we’ll even sign your copy if you bring it to a show! Don't live in the area? Tell your friends (because friends don't let friends miss good shows). Current dates are listed below, but new dates are being added all the time so be sure to check the website often!

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Pete Townshend invites us to The Who show in Nashville!

The night after our sold out TOMMY show at Nashville's legendary bluegrass mecca, The Station Inn, we got invited by the man himself to see The Who live in concert and to visit backstage about our new project (which he loves!).  It was a good trip to Nashville. Here's the full story: http://www.cybergrass.com/node/4584

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Tommy gets chart action on AirPlay Direct

Since the release of “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” to AirPlayDirect (a tool for radio DJ’s to find new music), the record has been bouncing between the top few spots in several categories on the AirplayDirect charts! Thanks to all the DJ’s who have been spinning Tommy and thanks to all our fans for you support!

If you haven’t yet heard Tommy on your local station, please call them and request it!

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BillBoard video premiere & Tommy pre-sales available!!

Billboard premieres an exclusive video from our upcoming release “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry”!!! Read the interview by Billboard writer Gary Graff and watch the video for “Tommy’s Holiday Camp/Eyesight to the Blind” here: 

Billboard’s Tommy Video Premiere

As if that weren’t enough... we are also excited to announce that pre-sales for “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” are open as of today! Click the links below to be first in line to hear what critics have called “A phenomenal and brilliantly executed homage to the classic rock opera” 

Buy on Amazon

Buy from your local record store

Buy on iTunes