Whitey Morgan and the 78's
Encyclopedia
Whitey Morgan and the 78's are honky tonk
country band based in Flint, MI. In 2010 they signed a recording contract with Chicago based Bloodshot Records
.
"Runnin' with the Devil" for the label's Sucking in the 70's compilation.
on Small Stone Recordings. In 2009 the band sees the addition of Tamineh Gueramy on Fiddle. The band then headed to Woodstock, NY in the fall of 2009 to begin recording the follow-up to Honky Tonks... at the Grammy Award winning Levon Helm Studios. With almost 200 shows a year and the new album nearing completion the band drew the attention of Chicago's Bloodshot Records and signs a new record contract. In June 2010, with the new self titled album "Whitey Morgan and the 78's" complete and the new label in place, the band went through another line-up change, losing both Benny James on guitar and Mike Popovich on drums. The album was released on October 12, 2010. Having gone through many changes since the band's inception in 2005, the band has settled into its current five-piece line-up for live shows. Whitey Morgan, the founder and vocalist also plays guitar, Jeremy Mackinder on bass, Tamineh Gueramy is on backing vocals and plays the fiddle
. Brett Robinson joined the 78's in 2010 as Whitey Morgan decided to add the pedal steel
sound to the mix. Finally, Travis Harrett recently joined on drums.
, Whitey Morgan and the 78's were signed to Bloodshot Records in the spring of 2010.
On 16 October 2010, the band performed on NPR's
Mountain Stage
. They played a four song, fifteen minute set. The episode also featured Scott Miller
, Abigale Washburn, Gene Watson
, and The Steel Drivers.
: Best Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Songwriter, Best Country Album.
Honky tonk
A honky-tonk is a type of bar that provides musical entertainment to its patrons...
country band based in Flint, MI. In 2010 they signed a recording contract with Chicago based Bloodshot Records
Bloodshot Records
Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
.
Formation and Early History
Started in 2005, under the name Whitey Morgan and the Georgia Waycross Farmboys, the original members included Whitey Morgan (a.k.a. Eric Allen), formerly of Dixie Hustler, on Vocals and Guitar; Jeremy Mackinder, formerly of South Normal, on bass; and Dylan Dunbar and Jack Schneider, formerly of Long Black Sedan, on guitar and drums respectively. After establishing themselves in the Midwest Honky Tonk scene, the band recorded a self-produced EP which includes early versions of "Goodbye Dixie," "Prove It All To You," and "If It Ain't Broke." The band soon signed a deal with Detroit's own Small Stone Recordings and went back into the studio to record a cover version of Van Halen'sVan Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
"Runnin' with the Devil" for the label's Sucking in the 70's compilation.
Line Up and Name Change
In 2007 the band changed its line-up to Whitey Morgan on Vocals and Guitar, Benny James Vermeylen on Guitar and vocals - formerly of 3 Speed and South Normal, Jeremy "Leroy" Biltz on Guitar, Jeremy Mackinder on bass, and Mike Popovich - formerly of The Holy Cows, 3 Speed, and The OffRamps, on drums and officially becomes Whitey Morgan and the 78's. In 2008 the band released its debut album Honky Tonks and Cheap MotelsHonky Tonks and Cheap Motels
Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels is the first studio album by Whitey Morgan and the 78's.-Recording:The album was recorded at Rustbelt Studios, Royal Oak, MI and released in 23 September 2008 on Small Stone Recordings...
on Small Stone Recordings. In 2009 the band sees the addition of Tamineh Gueramy on Fiddle. The band then headed to Woodstock, NY in the fall of 2009 to begin recording the follow-up to Honky Tonks... at the Grammy Award winning Levon Helm Studios. With almost 200 shows a year and the new album nearing completion the band drew the attention of Chicago's Bloodshot Records and signs a new record contract. In June 2010, with the new self titled album "Whitey Morgan and the 78's" complete and the new label in place, the band went through another line-up change, losing both Benny James on guitar and Mike Popovich on drums. The album was released on October 12, 2010. Having gone through many changes since the band's inception in 2005, the band has settled into its current five-piece line-up for live shows. Whitey Morgan, the founder and vocalist also plays guitar, Jeremy Mackinder on bass, Tamineh Gueramy is on backing vocals and plays the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
. Brett Robinson joined the 78's in 2010 as Whitey Morgan decided to add the pedal steel
Pedal steel guitar
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
sound to the mix. Finally, Travis Harrett recently joined on drums.
National Recognition
After touring with fellow Detroit area band, and Bloodshot Records recording artists, The Deadstring BrothersThe Deadstring Brothers
The Deadstring Brothers are an alt-country/rock band from Detroit, Michigan who play in a style somewhat reminiscent of the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street...
, Whitey Morgan and the 78's were signed to Bloodshot Records in the spring of 2010.
On 16 October 2010, the band performed on NPR's
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern...
. They played a four song, fifteen minute set. The episode also featured Scott Miller
Scott Miller
Scott Miller may refer to:*Scott Miller *Scott Miller *Scott Miller *Scott Miller , rock singer, former member of Game Theory, lead singer of The Loud Family...
, Abigale Washburn, Gene Watson
Gene Watson
Gary Gene Watson is an American country singer. He is most famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon," his 1982 hit "Fourteen Carat Mind," and his signature song "Farewell Party." Watson's long career has notched six number ones, 23 top tens and over 75 charted singles.-Biography:Watson...
, and The Steel Drivers.
Discography
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels is the first studio album by Whitey Morgan and the 78's.-Recording:The album was recorded at Rustbelt Studios, Royal Oak, MI and released in 23 September 2008 on Small Stone Recordings... |
|
— | — |
| Whitey Morgan and the 78's Whitey Morgan and the 78's (album) -Recording history:It was recorded in December 2009 and January 2010 at Levon Helm's studio in Woodstock, NY. The band members at the time of recording included Whitey Morgan on Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Benny James Vermelyen on Guitar and vocals, Tamineh Gueramy on Fiddle, Jeremy... |
Bloodshot Records Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country... |
64 | 48 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||
Awards
In 2009, after the release of their first studio album, the band was awarded three Detroit Music AwardsDetroit Music Awards
The Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
: Best Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Songwriter, Best Country Album.