Jimmy George and Russell Clepper have been performing together since the spring of 2005 and have released four CD’s independently including Broken Sand Dollars, and their their latest, Clepper George Holiday Music featuring Tish Hinojosa & Neal Flanz and others.
Clepper was born in Lubbock and brought up mostly on the Texas coast. He came back here to go to Tech where he majored in Journalism.
“I started playing the guitar and writing songs while I was a student at Tech.’ says Clepper. “Not because I didn’t have anything else to do. It was just something I was born to and Lubbock had the scene and the scenery that inspired me to go for it.”
His songwriting style grew from an early love of folk, bluegrass and gospel, and later drew from songwriters such as John Prine, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Billy Joe Shaver. He first performed his original music right here in Lubbock as a member of a folk/rock trio that included local songwriter, hobo hero and cowboy, Eddie Beethoven.
Jimmy George grew up in Arizona and Eastern Pennsylvania, but has lived in Austin for nearly 20 years. Taking inspiration from the likes of Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Jeff Beck, Michael Hedges and other progressive and experimental rockers as well as songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and Bruce Cockburn JG developed his own sound.
The years since have seen him take up the acoustic guitar and open for acts like Santana, the California Guitar Trio and Tom Petty. In Austin, he has a long series of notches in his music belt, including a stint with the Asylum Street Spankers and Weird Cousin. Currently, he is one of the top session players at Lava Studios and just finished doing some of the recording and most of the mastering in his own studio of David Rodriguez’ latest effort,
Constant War/Winter Moon.
The duo Clepper George brings these widely divergent musical backgrounds together to forge a unique, powerful, new acoustic sound that features rich guitar tapestries and tight vocal harmonies.
Russ, it was great to see you and Liz this last weekend. Great show at the dog. Let's stay in touch about that Charlie Stagg Benefit show in the fall. Can't wait! j
I really hope to be at another one of your gigs sometime. And soon I hope. Wow, thank you. You guys are amazing musicians, please come back to Fredericksburg:)
Hey. It was great meeting ya'll. We had a blast at the barn, and at the station. I hope yall can get back this way soon. and Yall are welcome back to the station anytime... Later
What up guys. I hope you both are doing well. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. Great show last Saturday in Fredericksburg! I can't wait to see you guys play in Austin. I have been talking about you guys all week to my friends. Thanks again for the good music.
