The Black Lillies
Encyclopedia
The Black Lillies are an Americana
band from Knoxville, Tennessee
that was founded in early 2009 by Cruz Contreras (formerly of Robinella and the CCstringband). Other members include Tom Pryor on guitar/pedal steel and Jamie Cook
on percussion (both formerly of the everybodyfields
), bassist Robert Richards and vocalist Trisha Gene Brady. Cruz plays guitar and mandolin as well as providing vocals and song writing. The Black Lillies music provides a unique sound with influences from rock, country, blues, bluegrass, and jazz.
from Robinella
and the breakup of the band they shared. The album resonated strongly with listeners, and Whiskey Angel was ranked in several Best of 2009 lists in publications across the country.After Whiskey Angel they released their album "Black Lillies"
The Black Lillies made an immediate impact on Knoxville's growing music scene and the band was selected to play the Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival within weeks of releasing the album. They quickly signed a management and booking deal with Chyna Brackeen of Attack Monkey Productions and in October of that year, they launched their first national tour. The tour kicked off at the legendary Ryman Auditorium
and the band played 38 shows in 40 days. Two additional national tours took place in 2010 and included appearances at festivals including Bristol's Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Pickathon, Four Corners Folk Festival, Pagosa Folk & Bluegrass, and Rhythm & Blooms. The band has been ranked as the "Best Americana Band" in the Metro Pulse
Best of Knoxville poll. They have appeared multiple times on live radio shows including WDVX
's Tennessee Shines
and WSM 650-AM's Music City Roots. In 2010, they were the first band selected and announced to participate in the Americana Music Association
's Festival & Conference - their selection was announced a full two months prior to the rest of the lineup. The band was also featured on a half hour segment on NPR's Mountain Stage in December 2010.
In January, 2011, their album Whiskey Angel was nominated for The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards for the Americana Album Category.
that drew more than 300 people. The national radio release of the album "100 Miles Of Wreckage" was on April 4, 2011. "100 Miles of Wreckage" has quickly gained national attention and as of May 16 is #11 on the Americana radio charts. Acclaimed video director David McClister (Lady Antebellum, Leann Rimes, Dierks Bentley) has selected the album’s first track, “Two Hearts Down,” as his next project. The video will be filmed in June in Nashville. Additionally, the band is slated to perform at the Country Music Association’s Festival & Fan Fair on June 10. The Black Lillies will make their debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, June 17, 2011. The band will be the first independent artists from the Knoxville area to be featured on the Grand Ole Opry. See Official Web Site for complete Tour Information.
The Black Lillies, 100 Miles of Wreckage (the Alternative Root)
Wayne Bledsoe: Black Lillies blooming on 'Wreckage' (Knoxville.com)
The Black Lillies “100 Miles of Wreckage” (Beat Surrender)
Americana
Americana refers to artifacts, or a collection of artifacts, related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the United States. Many kinds of material fall within the definition of Americana: paintings, prints and drawings; license plates or entire vehicles, household objects,...
band from Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
that was founded in early 2009 by Cruz Contreras (formerly of Robinella and the CCstringband). Other members include Tom Pryor on guitar/pedal steel and Jamie Cook
Jamie Cook
Jamie Robert Cook is the lead guitarist for the British indie rock band Arctic Monkeys.He is the most outspoken member, going on record as saying he "fucking hates the [print] news" and defending the band's numerous successive records by saying, "I couldn’t see us being like Coldplay, it’d just be...
on percussion (both formerly of the everybodyfields
The Everybodyfields
the everybodyfields were an independent folk/country band from Johnson City, Tennessee. The band was fronted by Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews who met when they were nineteen while both working at a summer camp. Most recently, they were joined by guitarist and keyboardist Josh Oliver, pedal steel...
), bassist Robert Richards and vocalist Trisha Gene Brady. Cruz plays guitar and mandolin as well as providing vocals and song writing. The Black Lillies music provides a unique sound with influences from rock, country, blues, bluegrass, and jazz.
Background
The band's debut album, Whiskey Angel, was recorded in Cruz's living room and released in April 2009. It featured Billy Contreras on fiddle, Taylor Coker on bass, and Leah Gardner on backing vocals. Contreras wrote and arranged all of the songs on the album. It is deeply personal material, covering the fallout of his divorceDivorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
from Robinella
Robinella
Robinella is the band of singer Robinella Bailey. The band was first formed as Robinella and the CCstringband in the late 1990s by Robin Ella and former husband, Cruz Contreras at the University of Tennessee...
and the breakup of the band they shared. The album resonated strongly with listeners, and Whiskey Angel was ranked in several Best of 2009 lists in publications across the country.After Whiskey Angel they released their album "Black Lillies"
The Black Lillies made an immediate impact on Knoxville's growing music scene and the band was selected to play the Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival within weeks of releasing the album. They quickly signed a management and booking deal with Chyna Brackeen of Attack Monkey Productions and in October of that year, they launched their first national tour. The tour kicked off at the legendary Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium is a 2,362-seat live performance venue, located at 115 5th Avenue North, in Nashville, Tennessee and is best known as the historic home of the Grand Ole Opry....
and the band played 38 shows in 40 days. Two additional national tours took place in 2010 and included appearances at festivals including Bristol's Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Pickathon, Four Corners Folk Festival, Pagosa Folk & Bluegrass, and Rhythm & Blooms. The band has been ranked as the "Best Americana Band" in the Metro Pulse
Metro Pulse
Metro Pulse is a weekly newspaper in Knoxville, Tennessee.It was founded in 1991 by Ashley Capps, Rand Pearson, Ian Blackburn, and Margaret Weston. Metro Pulse has been a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies since 1993....
Best of Knoxville poll. They have appeared multiple times on live radio shows including WDVX
WDVX
WDVX is a Knoxville, Tennessee, FM radio station broadcasting at 89.9 and 102.9 MHz.WDVX plays American roots music, including bluegrass, Americana, classic country, alternative country, Western swing, blues, old-time and traditional mountain music, bluegrass gospel, Celtic, and...
's Tennessee Shines
Tennessee Shines
Tennessee Shines is a radio show presented by the Knoxville Americana Music Foundation and brings together qualities of Knoxville and East Tennessee's musical scene by combining the atmosphere of Bijou Theatre, local radio station WDVX and its successful Blue Plate Special, and the reputation of...
and WSM 650-AM's Music City Roots. In 2010, they were the first band selected and announced to participate in the Americana Music Association
Americana Music Association
The Americana Music Association is a trade organization developed to provide professional support and to promote awareness of Americana music. Toward these ends the organization works with artists, radio stations, record labels, publishers, and others to create networking opportunities and to...
's Festival & Conference - their selection was announced a full two months prior to the rest of the lineup. The band was also featured on a half hour segment on NPR's Mountain Stage in December 2010.
In January, 2011, their album Whiskey Angel was nominated for The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards for the Americana Album Category.
Current
In early 2010, the Lillies announced that they were beginning work on a new album. The project was entirely fan-funded via sponsorship packages sold through the band website. The final funds needed were raised through a house concertHouse concert
A house concert or home concert is a musical concert or performance art that is presented in someone's home or apartment, or a nearby small private space such as a barn, apartment rec room, lawn, or back yard....
that drew more than 300 people. The national radio release of the album "100 Miles Of Wreckage" was on April 4, 2011. "100 Miles of Wreckage" has quickly gained national attention and as of May 16 is #11 on the Americana radio charts. Acclaimed video director David McClister (Lady Antebellum, Leann Rimes, Dierks Bentley) has selected the album’s first track, “Two Hearts Down,” as his next project. The video will be filmed in June in Nashville. Additionally, the band is slated to perform at the Country Music Association’s Festival & Fan Fair on June 10. The Black Lillies will make their debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, June 17, 2011. The band will be the first independent artists from the Knoxville area to be featured on the Grand Ole Opry. See Official Web Site for complete Tour Information.
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Whiskey Angel |
|
| 100 Miles of Wreckage |
|
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Two Hearts Down" | David McClister |
Reviews
New Album Review: 100 Miles of Wreckage by the Black Lillies (Hot Hot Music)The Black Lillies, 100 Miles of Wreckage (the Alternative Root)
Wayne Bledsoe: Black Lillies blooming on 'Wreckage' (Knoxville.com)
The Black Lillies “100 Miles of Wreckage” (Beat Surrender)
External links
- Official Website http://www.theblacklillies.com
- Various Music Videos http://www.theblacklillies.com/videos/
- Metro Pulse: Best of Knoxville http://www.metropulse.com/news/2010/may/12/best-americana-band-black-lillies/
- Article about the formation of the band http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20090409/ENT/304099966/
- The Stranger (Seattle's) review of The Black Lillies http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/up-and-coming/Content?oid=4555323