Alan MacEwen-vocals, guitar, trumpet
Chris Watling-tenor & baritone saxes, accordion
Matt Sedgley-drums, vocals
Bassists John Young, Eric Bowers, Steve Sachse, Moe Nelson, Scott MckNight, to name a few.
Influences
New Orleans R&B, Duke Ellington, Slim Gaillard, Sam Butera
The GRANDSONS turn 21 !!!!!
Things are going great for The Grandsons as they move and shake into their 21st year in the world of rock and roll. They are excited about winning a Wammie for ARTIST OF THE YEAR. Just back from their 2nd annual Mardi Gras tour of the Virgin Islands, the roots rock quartet has toured Germany, France, and Taiwan, in addition to tours in the US over the past 21 years. The Grandsons sixth record, Live at the Barns Volume 2, just won a Wammie for BEST ROOTS ROCK RECORDING. They spent 2006 promoting their nationally acclaimed fifth recording, Party With The Rich. Their previous studio album, Pan-American Shindig, spent ten weeks in the Americana Radio top-forty and their musical reach has extended further than ever, with gigs in Taipei, Taiwan in 1999, and Reims, France in 2005.
A fan aptly described The Grandsons exuberant sound as "American music in a blender with the lid off." The more prominent elements in this eclectic whirlpool are New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing and country two steps. After eight years of plying their pop sound around the country as Grandsons of the Pioneers, the group's increasing notoriety resulted in a high-noon showdown with singing cowboys Sons of the Pioneers, who balked at the idea of acknowledging paternity to a low down tuba-toting, sax-blowing rock and roll band. Counseled by their team of cut-throat lawyers to keep on playing rather than pause to litigate, the band shortened its name to The Grandsons and has been going full throttle ever since.
The Grandsons bring with them a pawn shop of instruments. Vocalist-guitarist-trumpeter Alan MacEwen charms audiences with his sly wit and winsome original songs; DC blues veteran Matthew Sedgley locks in the groove on drums and percussion. Saxophonist Chris Watling puts out a sound so meaty and memorable that he is in demand all over as a guest artist and session player.
Hey Grandsons, Great to see y'all at jammin' java last week. You rocked the joint. Looking forward to seeing you again real soon! BTW check out my song App-O-Tite - you might get a kick out of it -
Huge congrats on the Wammies you guys! You are so deserving! I want so much to make the Surf Club..but have a family commitment..have a ball. See ya real soon, janet
Alan, Chris, That was some mighty fine playing at the Birchmere Saturday... Have fun in the islands. I'll try to meet you there for a sail next year. Peace, Peter
