Michael Connolly - Fiddle
Andy Simmons - Bass
Chad Gibson - Guitar
Miller McNay - Mandolin
Will 'Binkle' Roberts - Banjo
Influences
John Hartford, Danny Barnes, Greg Brown, Tony Rice, Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, David Grisman, Old and in the Way, Jerry Garcia, Sam Bush, Bill Monroe, The Firehouse 5+2, Johnny Horton, The Beatles, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Bill Keith, The Del McCoury Band, The Bad Livers
When the five members of Captain Gravel take the stage, it’s clear that this is not “bluegrass as usual.”
The vintage suits, single microphone, and acoustic instrumentation may seem familiar to traditional bluegrass fans. But the bluegrass tradition is just a starting point for what The Stranger calls “one of Seattle’s smoothest string bands.” Over the past two years, Captain Gravel has developed a signature blend of bluegrass, Grisman-influenced Dawg music, Southern gospel, fiery fiddle tunes, and even a taste of Dixieland jazz.
You’ll find no frontman in this band, which thrives on the musical diversity of its young members. Native Chicagoan and reformed rock’n’roller Chad Gibson winds his way through The Captain’s varied setlist on archtop and flattop guitars. Miller McNay, originally from North Carolina, writes and sings many Captain Gravel originals, chopping chords and playing down-home lead lines on the mandolin. Memphis native Michael Connolly, who draws on the old-time, blues, and gospel sounds of his hometown, invariably snaps a few bow hairs with his rip-snorting fiddle breaks. Sporting suspenders, red socks, and a Ph.D. in atmospheric science, British-born Binkle Roberts is known for his tongue-twisting jazz tunes and stellar banjo picking. Andy Simmons, the band’s native Northwesterner, thumps out the foundation on the upright bass, and he’s been known to take a mean solo as well.
The band is equally at home whether playing to a hushed concert audience or bringing a bar crowd to its feet. Standing ovations have greeted Captain Gravel at Seattle’s Paramount Theater, Town Hall, and the Oregon State Bluegrass Festival. And The Captain regularly packs the house at Seattle’s Conor Byrne Pub and Tractor Tavern, where the string band has shared billing with both Danny Barnes and The Wilders.
The Captain's first full-length studio album, Mountain Lair, appeared in 2006. Engineered by Grammy-winner Garey Shelton, the disc has received regional and national airplay. Bluegrass Unlimited praised the band's "sweet harmony singing," and the Victory Music Review called the Captain "a must-see band with a must-have CD!"
The band makes a return appearance at Town Hall in March. "If you haven't seen Captain Gravel yet, please make it a point to go see them," said Ken Cartwright, thirty-year luthier and president of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. “Great pickers, good vocals and they dress neat too!”
Nice to make your acquaintance! I hear your set at Wintergrass was great, congratulations. Keep on a rockin' those pretty sounds, we need all we can get!
Hey Captain G, Nice to meet ya'll... love your tunes. If you are every down by Portland, let us know...otherwise we'll keep an eye out for you whenever we're up by you. Keep the sun shin'in for us! -Tarnation
The late jug master (1939-2005) plays some of the spookiest tones ever on the previously unreleased "Visiting Day." Recorded by the Jailhouse Jug Band, the tune is currently spotlighted on the Jug Bandolier player.
Hurrah! I am a friend of The Captain! Looking forward to hearing you guys play one of these days... and hey, I like the looks of the new bass player. ;)
hey hey,
thanks for the shout out. yep, i'm moving to germany, and yep i'll be up at wintergrass pickin. if y'all have a room up there let me know and i'll definitely come by to pick. (congrats by the way for getting into that one!) i don't know if i'll be able to afford a ticket to come in and see you, but i'll be around!
Hey, thanks for adding Widow Maker to your friends! We'd love to jam with you too. Will you be at Wintergrass? Three-fifths of our band will be (Will, Craig & Julie). Maybe we'll see you there.
Happy New Year!! I thought you might help me spread the word about tonight...
Starting January 2nd 2007 Fiddle & Steel Music will host a vintage record hop every Tuesday. DJ Tom LG will be spinning an assortment of obscure and classic records from the 1950s. Here's the dope...
A Pocket Full Of Nickels
w/ DJ TOM LG
Every Tuesday 9-12
@ Conor Byrne Pub
5140 Ballard Ave NW (Seattle)
21+ NO COVER
rockabilly - western swing - doo-wop - R&B
You're invited to dance, have a drink, relax, kick back, enjoy the music or all of the above! See ya there!
Hey all,
Just got the Wintergrass info in the mail today. And look who's listed on the cover! Nice work, y'all. Looking forward to seeing you on the big stage.
Just stoping by to say HI. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in day to day life we forget our friends. So I'm trying to let everyone of my friends know how much they mean to me. Thanks so much for for being my friend. Ed
