The Bankesters are a fast rising group on the bluegrass and roots music scene. Sisters Emily, Alysha, and Melissa, joined by brother-in-law Kyle Triplett and parents Phil and Dorene, have grown from a family that simply enjoys playing music together into a serious band. On their first internationally distributed album, Love Has Wheels (Compass Records), they shine as vocalists, instrumentalists, and articulate songwriters. The Bankesters offer some of the best harmonies in the business, and Love Has Wheels recently garnered them an Independent Music Award for Best Bluegrass Album. Emily, named 2012 IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year, contributes fiddle and claw hammer banjo, Alysha plays the mandolin and Melissa holds down the upright bass. Kyle Triplett is the multi-instrumentalist of the group, playing banjo, guitar, and tenor guitar parts while Phil and Dorene hold down rhythm guitar duties.
Calling all youth musicians (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, & bass) – you are invited to a pre-show jam workshop with Lynda and Jamie Dawson (of Kickin Grass Band)! Songs that the group will likely play together this coming Sunday are:
- Hot Corn, Cold Corn (G)
- Soldier’s Joy (D)
- Buffalo Gals (TBD)
Some songs the group played together in May are:
Instrumentals:
- Billy In The Lowground (C)
- Soldier’s Joy (D)
- Blackberry Blossom (G)
- Black Mountain Rag (A)
- Bonaparte’s Retreat (D)
Singing Songs:
- Bury Me Beneath The Willow (D)
- Hot Corn, Cold Corn (G)
- Footprints In The Snow (G)
A couple other songs that have been suggested are:
- Shortnin’ Bread
- You are My Sunshine
We probably won’t play all of these the same again next time, as some new ones will get tossed in the mix. Other songs will be determined depending on the skill levels of the students who come to the event. More experienced music students have the option to come prepared with a song to lead, either an instrumental or a singing song where they sing the verse/chorus, preferably with only 3 or 4 chords throughout (for simplicity in teaching) – this is not a requirement to participate. And after the jam, of course, stick around for the concert by The Bankesters! Lynda Dawson also teaches the popular songwriting sessions at PineCone’s Bluegrass Camps for Youth, and she’ll be one of the instructors at the NEW Bluegrass Jam Camp in Cary Aug. 10-14! Learn more about PineCone’s Youth Programs