Under 21 with Guardian

The HillBenders www.thehillbenders.com "Bluegrass meets Rock 'n' Roll" The HillBenders are an acoustic ensemble from Springfield, Missouri, deep in the heart of the Ozarks. Blending the raw energy of rock 'n' roll with the heart of bluegrass, their music feels as comfortable and familiar as your favorite t-shirt. With more than 15 years of touring experience and a trove of accolades, The HillBenders have built a reputation for high-energy performances, a diverse and dynamic song catalog, and a sense of humor that brings audiences together. Whether you're dancing in the aisles or soaking it all in, their shows are about living in the moment and sharing the joy of music. Their original material and inventive mash-up projects, like the fan-favorite WhoGrass (a bluegrass tribute to The Who), along with collaborations with Keller Williams on GratefulGrass, PettyGrass, and KellerGrass, keep them on stages at festivals, theaters, and performing arts centers across the country and around the world. QUOTES "As I finished a new song in my studio, I was hoping to cool down by listening to [The HillBenders’] new record. But it has had the opposite effect, I am surrounded by the angels and excited as hell. I really like all of it. The recording is very special... Clean, dry, and intimate. It should win a f---cking Grammy, it’s that good!" -Pete Townshend of The Who “The HillBenders prove to be the perfect group...” -Rolling Stone “After catching the spotlight’s eye with their “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” album, [The HillBenders] were determined to stir its ardor with their originals, and overwhelmingly succeeded. The whole album is well written and performed with hardly a blemish or toss-away…” -No Depression “If The HillBenders proves anything, it’s the fact that its namesake combo clearly has the credence and conviction needed to carry them to the top ranks of today’s progressive bluegrass pantheon.” -Bluegrass Today