The story of the Burly Atoms can be traced back to the autumn of 1984 when Andy Rogers (lead singer) wrecked his bicycle into the mailbox of brothers Gerald Welborn (lead guitar) and Cheston Welborn (drummer). After discovering Rogers lying in the ditch crying in pain, the Welborn’s mother was nice enough to take him inside their house for some routine first aid. At the time, Andy was 8, Gerald was 7, and Cheston was in diapers on the kitchen counter crying along in sympathy. The wounds from the wreck would soon heal, but a friendship of over 20 years had just begun. Mike Bailiff (bass player) was also from the same general area and actually rode the same bus as Rogers in 1st and 2nd grade. The musical roots started with a couple of small Yamaha keyboards which were popular gifts for kids in the 80’s. The boys never got too good on Piano but they enjoyed getting together and goofing off with them. It was always fun to hit the demo button and hear a great and super cheesy version of Billy Joel’s “I Love You Just The Way You Are” . In 1992, Rogers bought a 2nd hand guitar and cheap amp from the late Sam Moss at his shop and the older Welborn was soon to follow. The two would play together for hours making awful noise while learning the basics. This was a time when the hair metal bands of the 80’s were giving way to the grunge sound of the 90’s so one can imagine what it might have sounded like. At the same time, Bailiff was up to the same thing as his father helped him become a musician. In 1993, the younger Welborn (age 11) got a used drum set. This was when things really started to get fun. At separate times Bailiff and Rogers would stop by for a jam session with the Welborns. There was really no intent to start a band in the high school years and that may have been a good thing. In 1994 Rogers went off to college at WCU and there was very limited musical contact between the 4 for several years. Rogers participated in some talent shows while in college but did not join a band. In 2000 after years of practicing and getting good, Gerald joined a band named Six Foot Groove. They had good bit of success in the Boone and Winston-Salem area until 2004 or so. Bailiff joined a Bluegrass band “Grandpa Wood” in 2004 and also had a good bit of success in the Wilmington area. Cheston, who had sold his drums after just a few years, continued to be very interested in all types of music. In August of 2006 after discovering that Rogers happened to have a spot in his basement that could pass for a practice space the two Welborns decided it might be time for Cheston to buy another drum set so they could get back to jamming for fun like they had 12 years earlier. Even at this time starting a band was not the goal and there was no bass player. Rogers didn’t even have the proper equipment. He rigged up a microphone through a stereo system that sounded horrible, but did the job. After 3 or 4 months of playing and eventually buying a nice PA, the 3 started to gain momentum and decided to call up old friend Bailiff to see if he wanted to join as the bass player. The Burly Atoms name was coined in February of 07 just as the foursome was complete and officially a band. The name is what it is and means whatever one thinks it means. This is also pretty much the concept of the music. The Burly Atoms are out to play and write Rock and Roll music. There are several variations of rock out there and it is up to the listener to describe it however they wish. The goal of The Burly Atoms is to get out and play in Triad and surrounding areas and have fun together as friends just like they did over 20 years ago. By doing this, they hope to create an environment for other groups of friends to unite and enjoy themselves.
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Attention if you are a Artist, Model, Poet, and Band Come out to join us!!!! It Will be an All day event!!! You will have accsess to our studio facility, Photography Set Up!! and Much Much more!!!! Downtown Greensboro,NC 27405 109 Paisly Plaza accross the street from the marriott, and Exxon Gas Station. Contact Millie Stokes for more Details 336-541-3487
Yes, I remember playing with you! Good to hear from you again! Booking some stuff in Winston with the Turbo Pro Project here in the next few months. I'll let you know when we're headed that way.
Hey Fella's! Long time no see or talk but for a Wedding DJ this is our busiest time of year. Hope all is well and you guys are still plugging along. I am running sound now as well for my friend Bill's (drummer) band since the Hot Carls are no more....Long story...lol! Anyway, I hope to get out and see you all soon! Take care fella's! PEACE!
Whats up Andy and Gearld, thanks for requesting us. We all need to hang out sometime and catch up. Definetily coming to j butler to support you guys....later.
What up Druford! Damn dude its been a while. Im glad to see your still rockn' it out. The band sounds great but could use some more cow bell. So how can I get my hands on one of your CD's? Drop me line and great hearing from you. RG
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