The Ebony Hillbillies

The Ebony Hillbillies is an old-time string band based in NYC, New York City.[2]

The Ebony Hillbillies
OriginNew York City, New York, USA
GenresOld-time, Americana, blues, folk, country, jazz
Years active1980’s–present
LabelsEH MUSIC
MembersHenrique Prince
William Salter
Gloria Thomas Gassaway
Reggie “A.R.” Ferguson
Newman Taylor Baker
Allanah Salter
Iris Thomas Olden
Dave Colding
Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon
Past membersNorris Washington Bennett
Websitehttp://www.theEbonyHillbillies.com [1]

A recording of their music is held in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution's Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.[3]

History

During the 1980s Henrique Prince began putting together a band due to "an idea of specializing in dance music, because I really liked the idea of the violin as a dance instrument."[4] He also wanted to make "music African Americans used to perform and dance to before they found the blues and jazz and the other stuff became associated with grizzled mountain white guys".[5] Based in New York City,[6] The Ebony Hillbillies began performing on New York subway platforms.[7][8] As the band continued to perform they were invited to perform in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center,[9] Washington state's Wintergrass Festival,[10] and the Kennedy Center.[11]

Members
  • Henrique Prince: violin, vocals[12]
  • Gloria Thomas Gassaway: bones, lead vocals
  • Reggie “A.R.” Ferguson: washboard, “cowboy" percussion kit (consisting of organic wood and metal materials)
  • William “Salty Bill” Salter: acoustic bass, voice
  • Newman Taylor Baker: washboard
  • Allanah Salter: vocals

Additional Members
  • Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon: washboard, percussion
  • Dave Colding: acoustic bass, vocals
  • Iris Thomas: vocals
  • AW: banjo, bass

Deceased
  • Norris Washington Bennett: 5-string banjo, mountain dulcimer, lead vocals

Discography
  • 2004 — Sabrina’s Holiday (EH MUSIC)
  • 2005 — I Thought You Knew (EH MUSIC)
  • 2011 — Barefoot And Flying (EH MUSIC)
  • 2015 — Slappin’ A Rabbit - LiVE! (EH MUSIC)[13]
  • 2017 — 5 Miles From Town (EH MUSIC)[14][15][16][17][18]

Further reading
  • Fischlin, Daniel (2013). The fierce urgency of now : improvisation, rights, and the ethics of cocreation. Ajay Heble, George Lipsitz. Durham: Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-5464-2. OCLC 817799607.
  • Hubbs, Nadine (2014-03-18). Rednecks, Queers, and Country Music. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-95834-0.
  • Pecknold, Diane (2013-07-10). Hidden in the Mix: The African American Presence in Country Music. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-5149-8.
  • Ritchie, Fiona; Orr, Doug (2014-09-29). Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia. UNC Press Books. ISBN 978-1-4696-1823-4.

References
  1. "THE EBONY HILLBILLIES - 5 MILES FROM TOWN on AirPlay Direct".
  2. "Martha Redbone and The Ebony Hillbillies". ROUTES. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  3. "Ebony Hillbillies". Smithsonian Music. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  4. "The Ebony Hillbillies: Becoming a Part of the Music". The Bluegrass Situation. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  5. "Spreading good cheer". Los Angeles Times. 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  6. "Press Pass: The Ebony Hillbillies". Falls Church News-Press Online. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  7. "'Ebony Hillbillies' bring down home sound to streets and stage". TheGrio. 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  8. "The Ebony Hillbillies Bring String Band Music to The Parrish". The Sag Harbor Express. 2015-09-03. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  9. BWW News Desk. "THE EBONY HILLBILLIES Will Appear at Town Hall's Black History Month Educational Series". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  10. Thompson, Richard (2008-02-27). "The Ebony Hillbillies". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  11. "The Ebony Hillbillies". Kennedy Center. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  12. "EH music - EH band". THE EBONY HILLBILLIES. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  13. McCauley, S. (2015-04-29). "Americana folk heroes the Ebony Hillbillies release new live album 'Slappin' a Rabbit – Live!'". Music Talkers - Latest Music News & Artist Exposure. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  14. "The Ebony Hillbillies". Elmore Magazine. 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  15. Wetnight, Rainey (22 April 2019). "The Ebony Hillbillies – 5 Miles from Town : Album Review". BluesBlast Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  16. Miller-Gould, Dodie (2018-12-14). "The Ebony Hillbillies bring current events to life with an old-school flair on "5 Miles From Town"". LemonWire. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  17. Lindsay, Bruce (2019-05-09). "Ebony Hillbillies: 5 Miles From Town". Jazz Journal. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  18. "The Ebony Hillbillies - 5 Miles from Town (EH Music)". JAZZIZ Magazine. 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
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