Four talented brothers from Genesee ranging in age from 13 to 17 are making a name for themselves as the Thorn Creek Express band.
They play Western, Country, Old Time, Bluegrass and Gospel, featuring songs from Hank Williams, Flatt & Scruggs, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Alabama, and Dierks Bently along with Irish and old time fiddle tunes. They will be playing at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 pm. Admission is $7 at the door. Their music is fun for all ages.
The boys have been home schooled on the oldest homestead along Thorn Creek. The original cabin dating back to 1870 still stands along the creek and was the first mail drop for the pony express in the Thorn Creek Territory, hence the bands name Thorn Creek Express. The band gives credit to their beginnings to the Banana Belt Fiddlers of Lewiston who gave them much encouragement and a place to perform. However, their first "real" band performance was at the Dahmen Barn four years ago when they played for a few art openings.
For the past two years, wanting to do for others what the Old Time Fiddlers have done for them, the boys have started a group which they call the "Young Old Time Fiddlers" with the intent to encourage young musicians to come perform with them at Royal Plaza Retirement Center once a month.
For the past 4 years the band has been playing mostly in the Lewis-ClarkValley and on the Palouse. They regularly play at the Café Sage and Moscow Co-op along with being featured guests on the Western Heritage Show on KRLC. Most recently they performed for the Endicott fourth of July celebration, and will be appearing at the Nez Perce County Fair in Sept.
Lucas is 17 years old and has been playing the bass and guitar for 4 years; he also plays classical piano.
Austin is 15 years old and started taking fiddle lessons at the age of 7 and also plays mandolin, guitar, and piano.
Tyler, also 15 years old, first began playing piano at the age of 7, followed by guitar at the age of 9. Two years ago he added the mandolin.
Carson, age 12, soon to be 13…Has been playing the fiddle since the age of 8, but recently has fallen in love with the banjo which he has played for one year. He also takes piano lessons.
All the brothers have added vocals to their bio this past year and continue to work on developing their voices and harmonies.
Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is on highway 195 in the big white barn behind the famous iron wheel fence. The non-profit creativity center is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The building is fully handicap accessible and has no daily admission fee. Information:
http://www.artisanbarn.org/ or 509-229-3414.
