Cadillac Sky

• Official web site

Dosey Doe Coffee House

November 20, 2009

Dosey Doe Coffee House presents Cadillac Sky.

When the first strains of Cadillac Sky's "Born Lonesome" come pulsing out of the speakers, it's immediately apparent that there's a different kind of bluegrass band on the scene—one wrapped in tradition, but not bound by it. That song, has a high, lonesome sound that would do the great Ralph Stanley proud. And when they follow that up with "You Again," a song where they display the ferocious intensity of the great rock and roll bands, it's obvious Cadillac Sky is a band poised for greatness.

Their propulsive brand of bluegrass is the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. This original approach comes from a deep-seated respect for tradition wrapped around an unbridled musical curiosity. There's no dichotomy in the band's sound, just a synthesis of the band's eclectic influences. The Cadillac Sky sound is the fruition of bandleader Bryan Simpson's groundbreaking vision to create a bluegrass band built for the 21st Century.

The band first came together in 2002 in Texas when Simpson (mandolin, vocals) teamed up with young banjo whiz Matt Menefee. The timing was perfect because Simpson was beginning to have success as a mainstream country songwriter but was burdened by a deep well of more personal material that he felt deserved a forum but had no vehicle for. Menefee's colorful and rhythmic banjo playing combined with a similar musical vision, was the launching pad that Simpson had hoped for but not expected to find.

They soon added a veteran influence in Mike Jump who had found success playing with regional favorites Southern Union and the Andy Owens Project. And shortly after, on the word of Menefee, added the virtuoistic, Ross Holmes (fiddle, vocals), and, more recently, the talents of Houston native, Andy "Panda" Moritz (bass, vocals).

When the band began rehearsing, they quickly realized the diverse, but complimentary musical backgrounds they could pull from. They blended the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe and the colorful stylings of The Beatles with free form jazz to develop their signature sound. Being rooted in the traditions of bluegrass, along with prodigious picking and singing skills has allowed the band to win fans on both sides of the traditional/progressive bluegrass fence.