Chris Brandstatt – Guitar, Vocal Lead, Baritone & Tenor
While he may be the youngest of the group, 2001 SPGMA nominated Guitar Player
of the Year Chris Brandstatt lacks neither experience or talent. Playing
professionally since he was a teen, Chris’ musical experience ranges from
jazz to jugband, from blues to bluegrass. Chris’ band repertoire includes
Dayle Eskridge & Changing Times (nominated 2001 SPGMA Entertaining Band
of the year), Absolute Hickory, Juggernaut Jug Band, Roundabout (LEO Reader’s
Choice Cover-Band-of-the-Year), the Hot Picks Trio (with Brad Flood and
Jim Leach), Guthrie Trapp, Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers, just to
name a few.
Chris also brings recording creds for Absolute Hickory on “Chances Are”
and was thrilled for the opportunity to record with legendary Newgrass Revival
Founder Curtis Burch on the “Burchland” album.
Besides his wealth of experience, Chris also composes and arranges. Although
guitar is his first love and primary role in the band, Chris is also accomplished
on mandolin and vocals. Says Chris “I love music, in a bad-good way. Although,
I do have this thing with stage fright. Shhhhhh.”
Murrell Thixton began giving lessons at age 14 (yes I said GIVING, not
TAKING). Originally from Mt. Washington, Kentucky, Murrell has inspired
hundreds of young aspiring bluegrass musicians, through his teaching and
his clean, hard driving banjo style. Murrell made his professional debut
as a founding member of New Horizon, a mostly bluegrass band that reflected
the rock’n roll and country music of the day and later as founding member
of Storefront Congregation. Murrell has also performed as side man with
several country acts, including Hugh Hill and the Country Cats.
While his primary role in the band is that of banjo-man, Murrell also
composes, arranges and lends his services on mandolin, guitar, and that
high lonesome sound on lead and harmony vocals. When he’s not playing,
Murrell has two loves in his life, daughters Claire and Liane . . . oh
. . . and sweet tea.
Glenn Gibson – Dobro & Vocal Lead, Tenor & Baritone
Playing a Harlow resophonic guitar with Cast Iron Airplane is Glenn Gibson.
Glenn began playing banjo at age 12, switching to Dobro by age 15. A native
of the Louisville area, Gibson first honed his skills on the Dobro and banjo
as a member of Gary Brewer’s Kentucky Ramblers in the mid-1980s.
While living in Louisiana and Texas Glenn retired from music for over a
decade. Glenn resumed playing in 2001, after he returned to Louisville,
KY where he was heard by Michael Cleveland. And when the Dale Ann Bradley
Band needed a Dobro player, Gibson was their choice. Glenn’s resume also
includes time with the Louisville area groups Corn Island Band and RoundAbout
(LEO Reader’s Choice Cover-Band-of-the-Year).
From 2004 to 2006 Gibson toured with Karl Shiflett across the USA and in
Canada. Now Glenn enjoys sharing the singing and picking duties in Cast
Iron Airplane.
Dennis Talley – Upright Bass, Vocal Lead, Baritone & Bass
Dennis began playing professionally in 1989 with the Louisville based jazz
quartet Axis. He moved into the local R&B scene, grooving with Lamont Gillespie
& the Homewreckers, Tempus Fugit, Top Hat, The Magna Carta Band and The
Shannon Lawson Band. In 1993 Dennis found his true calling in bluegrass
music with the local phenom The Galoots and went on to tour nationally with
Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers. Later, Dennis toured nationally with
the blues rock group the Kelly Richie Band and the funky soul group V Groove.
Dennis lays the foundation on the upright bass and lends his vocal talents
in both baritone harmony and lead vocals. Dennis is a man of few words,
but if you want to hear his soul, just listen for the bass line.
The name Cast Iron Airplane sounds ‘out of the ordinary.’ Well, we hope the music you hear will also. If you haven’t heard CIA yet, you’ve now been extended an invitation. While the group is new, most of the musicians have been playing for decades and are well-known in the Louisville, KY area.
As individual artists, they bring influences ranging from R&B to Rock-n-Roll and from Country to Cajun, but in the end you’ll find bluegrass is their passion. Experience a unique sound of rhythms, harmonies, and picking. Cast Iron Airplane will take you there.
May 22nd, 2008 at Wick's On Dixie
April 10th, 2008 at Wick's Pizza Parlor
