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R E L E A S E S 2006
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July 26, 2006
The Holmes Brothers Play MASS MoCA's Summer Alt Cabaret Series
(North Adams, Mass.) -Known for their ability to perform sanctified gospel, low-down roadhouse blues, deep soul, bar room country, and pure pop all in one set, The Holmes Brothers have recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Jungle Brothers and Joan Osborne. They've performed all over the world and on Saturday, August 26, at 8 P.M. they'll bring their deep soulful sound to MASS MoCA's Alt Cabaret series. The London Times says, "their rhythms take over your body while their voices go straight for your heart."
OffBeat says the group possesses "great spirit and outstanding vocal harmonies with a jam band aesthetic that anticipated the 'sacred steel' movement by a decade." The Holmes Brothers will perform under the stars in the Courtyard Café weather permitting. The event moves indoors to Club B-10 in case of rain. Doors open at 7 PM for dinner and snacks from Lickety Split and full bar. The event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union. With the same three members for more than 30 years -- singer and guitarist Wendell Holmes, Sherman Holmes on bass and vocals, and Willie 'Popsy' Dixon on drums, percussion and vocal -- The Holmes Brothers have enjoyed a long and illustrious career. Coming from Virginia, it was Sherman who first moved to New York City in 1959, followed by Wendell a few years later. In 1968 they met Dixon, and the Holmes Brothers were born. Since their debut album in 1989, The Holmes Brothers have worked virtually non-stop. In addition to their four critically acclaimed Rounder albums, they recorded Jubilation for Peter Gabriel's Real World label in 1992, becoming the first American group to record for the standout world music imprint. In 1994 they joined Van Morrison in the studio on the song That's Where It's At for the Real World compilation album, A Week Or Two In The Real World. 1996 found The Holmes Brothers starring in the independent motion picture Lotto Land, for which they also recorded the soundtrack. The albums all received massive praise. They backed many acts, and went on to host a regular jam session at Dan Lynch's in the East Village, where, during the '80s, they met singer Joan Osborne, who would go on to produce their latest album Speaking in Tongues, in addition to adding some gritty background vocals. The Chicago Tribune called the album a "joyous, foot-stomping carnival…a gift to the world of music." In 1997, Joan Osborne asked The Holmes Brothers to be her backing band when she opened for Bob Dylan. Helmed by the same Grammy-winning pair -- producer Craig Street (Cassandra Wilson, Chris Whitley) and engineer S. Husky Höskulds (Tom Waits, Joe Henry, Wallflowers) -- who were part of the creative team for the 2003 Norah Jones smash Come Away With Me, The Holmes Brothers' latest album, Simple Truths, features 13 striking songs reflecting their wide-ranging musical palette. Tickets for The Holmes Brothers are $14 in advance or $18 the day of the concert. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. daily. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org. MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org