Kevin Anthony-fiddle, vocals
Eric Paulson-upright bass
Al Epp-snare
Bill Quinn-pedal steel
Influences
Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Hank Williams, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Johnny Rodriguez, Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, The Balfa Brothers, Jimmy 'C' Newman, Vin Bruce, Harry Choates, Johnny Gimble, Doc Guidry, Rufus Thibodeaux, Terry Morris, Benny Thomasson, Dick Barrett, Lionel LeLeux, Dennis McGee, Freddy Fender, Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell, Johnny Cash,
The Twin City Playboys
Unlike many of today’s "old-timey" bands, who play a wide range of
folk, bluegrass and country, the Twin City Playboys are trying
something different: rather than encompass a variety of sounds, they
have pinpointed a very specific genre. Born and raised in Galveston,
Texas, band leader Kevin Anthony has always been drawn to the
combination of Texas and Cajun music that dominated his region growing
up, and their debut album Texas Memories plays like a tribute to
Anthony’s musical upbringing. "I love the old style of music mostly
because it reminds me of my family and the music that they used to
play," Anthony explains. "After the passing of my grandparents I felt
the strong need to carry on their musical tradition."
And carry it on he has. The cover of Texas Memories features a
photograph of Anthony’s grandmother Violet, perched on the back of a
pick-up truck playing her acoustic guitar. The opening track, "The
Violet Two Step," is an ode to Anthony’s first music mentor, and it
kicks off a disc full of classic Southern Texas country music that is
at once reminiscent and timeless.
After relocating to Minnesota a year and a half ago, Anthony has found
a niche in the Twin Cities roots scene and people respond positively
to his music’s Texas flavor. Despite the fact that those around him
continue to add electronics and distortions to their music to keep up
with the times, Anthony is persistent in sticking to a specific
traditional form. "I get lots of comments from folks that suggest
that I should add an electric guitar picker to the band. I can
appreciate that style of music but to me that’s not part of what I’m
doing."
In addition to Anthony, the Twin City Playboys includes John
Tallaksen on acoustic guitar/Cajun accordion, Eric Paulson on stand up
bass (bull fiddle), Al Epp on snare and Geoff Schley or Bill Quinn on
lapsteel/dobro/pedal steel.
