Davidson Brothers

The Davidson Brothers, "Bluegrass wizards",^[1] originally from Yinnar, Victoria, consist of brothers Hamish and Lachlan Davidson.^[2] They have written and performed together since their youth,^[3] "they are multi-instrumentalists on banjo, fiddle, and mandolin and have won many awards on the country circuit."^[2] They released their first album, Blue Spruce, in 1999 when they were both in their early teens. This was the beginning of what would span into numerous recordings and national awards.^[1][4][5][6] "With their dynamic brand of classic bluegrass and more contemporary newgrass music, the pair has not only blitzed the Australian country music industry, but has attracted plenty of attention in the United States and Europe as well." ^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

While they have toured extensively as the Davidson Brothers, they have also shared the stage with many well known Australian artists (Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Melinda Schneider, John Williamson, Jimmy Barnes, Eric Bogle, Tommy Emmanuel, Adam Harvey, Sara Storer, Joy McKean, Anne Kirkpatrick, Peter Denahy, Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicholson, Hugh McDonald). They have entertained the troops in the Middle East, made regular appearances on national television (Hey Hey It's Saturday, Good Morning Australia, The Panel, Spicks and Specks, It Takes Two, Australia's Got Talent), and played on many recording sessions with range of other artists (Smoky Dawson, Kevin Bloody Wilson, Mark Saul, Travis Sinclair, Joe Camilleri, Kristy Cox, Bruce Rowland).^[3][11][12]

Since completing university the Davidson Brothers have made Bendigo, Victoria their home^[13] and split their time between music and their other chosen professions. They were among the Top 10 Most Outstanding Musicians in the 2010 Melbourne Prize.^[14] In 2011, the brothers established the Australian Youth Bluegrass Scholarship to encourage and nurture singers and musicians who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication in the field of Bluegrass Music.^[15][16]

Discography

Wanderlust (2014)

Recorded in Melbourne in March 2014 and release on June 20, 2014,^[17] Wanderlust is the seventh studio album released by the Davidson Brothers, this time self-produced. There are eleven original tracks, all of which are written by Hamish and Lachlan.

Transpacific (2012) (Single)

Here To Stay (2011)

Recorded in Nashville in April 2011 and release on July 1, 2011,^[18] Here To Stay is the sixth studio album released by the Davidson Brothers, with producing duties shared between Mark Thornton and Larry Marrs. There are eleven original tracks, ten of them written by Hamish and Lachlan.^[19]

Born To Play (2009)

The third album to be produced by Mark Thornton, Born To Play was again recorded in Madison, Tennessee. However, this time around, Hamish and Lachlan set out to showcase their ability to slip comfortably in and out of different musical genres, including bluegrass, country, gypsy, swing and Celtic music. Guest musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton, Randy Kohrs, Kevin Grant, Kenny Malone, The Cherryholmes family, Pat Bergeson, Jeff Taylor, Larry Marrs and Jerry Salley.^[20]

Davidson Brothers (2007)

The Davidson Brothers recorded this self-titled album in Madison, Tennessee, in September 2007. This was the second album produced by Mark Thornton. After Raised on the Road won 2007 Independent Album of the Year in Tamworth, Hamish & Lachlan felt pressured to make a better album this time - and they did just that. This album has lots of variety, from traditional bluegrass to country to intense gypsy swing. Guest musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton (guitar), Rob Ickes (dobro) and Dennis Crouch (bass). Also featuring is a guest vocal by one of the pioneers of Australian bluegrass, Trev Warner, as well as vocal harmonies from Larry Marrs and Cia Cherryholmes.^[21] Left Hand Drive won the 2009 Golden Guitar (Country Music Awards of Australia) for Best Instrumental.^[22]

Raised On The Road (2006)

This is the first album the Davidson Brothers recorded overseas. It was produced by Mark Thornton (Jerry Reed band) in Nashville, Tennessee. Musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton (guitar), Randy Kohrs (dobro) and Dennis Crouch (bass). There is also a guest vocal by Travis List of South Australia.^[24][25][26]

Where I Want To Be (2004) (EP)

This 3 track EP was recorded in 2004 by Hugh McDonald (formerly of the Australian group Redgum) in Melbourne, Australia. The tracks are all original and feature other talented Melbourne musicians Gerry Pantazis on drums and James Clark on bass. The Brothers went on to film a live music video for "Where I Want To Be" at the 2004 Deniliquin Ute Muster. This song was renamed "Where I Wanna Be" and rerecorded in 2006 on the Davidson Brothers "Raised On The Road" album.^[28][29]

Stay All Night (2003)

Stay All Night was recorded in 2003^[30] across two cities. The eight Bluegrass music tracks were recorded at Allan Eaton Studios in St Kilda, Victoria. The studio was familiar to the boys as they had previously played on the The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular soundtrack at this studio. Five Country music and Western swing tracks were recorded at Swinging Doors Studios in Kareela, New South Wales. Laurie Grundy and Josh Grundy, members of their live band at the time, played on all of the tracks.^[31][32]

Blue Spruce (1999)

Blue Spruce was the first album recorded by the Davidson Brothers and was released in 1999. Hamish was 15 and Lachlan was 13^[33][34] when they took the day off school to record the album at the family home in Yinnar, Victoria with Andrew Clermont in 1998. The album only contains one vocal track, "Lonesome Road Blues". Only 500 copies were printed and this release has been out of print for quite some time.^[35][36]

Music Videos

Awards

Australian Country Music Awards (The Golden Guitars)^[22][38][39]

Australian Bluegrass Championships, Tamworth, NSW^[40]

Tamworth Independent Artist Recognition Awards (TIARA)^[41]

Victorian Country Music Awards^[42]

Golden Fiddle Awards (Tamworth, NSW)^[43]

References

External links

• Davidson Brothers Official Website