‘Power Grass With A Twang’

Wolf Creek Brings Rocking Roots Sound to Canyons June 6

Story by David Brewer

East Tennessee-based quintet Wolf Creek will bring their eclectic blend of electric bluegrass, alt. country and classic rock to Canyons on Saturday, June 6. There is no cover charge.

A quick listen to the tracks on Wolf Creek’s MySpace page and you can hear the band’s experience shine through on tracks like The Flying Burrito Brothers’ “Devil In Disguise,” the Bill Monroe Classic “Uncle Pen” and Steve Earle’s redneck anthem “Gettin’ Tough.” The band attacks songs from throughout various strains of Americana with the same blend of rock attitude, bluegrass precision and roots rock grooves.

On Saturday, June 6, the East Tennessee-based quintet will return to the High Country for a show at Canyons in Blowing Rock. The show will begin at 10:00 p.m. There is no cover charge.

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists Jason Crawford, Kevin Jackson, Edward Main, Jim Price and Robbie Stevens, Wolf Creek draws from myriad musical influences, including Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, John Conlee, Waylon Jennings, Asleep At The Wheel, Radney Foster, Diamond Rio, Marty Stuart, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Earle, Chris Knight, Buddy Miller, The Eagles, Poco, America, Pure Prairie League and The Allman Brothers Band.

According to the band’s website, the band formed “with the sole purpose of exposing audiences to what we call ‘powergrass with a twang’… which is the product of bluegrass roots…fused with the punch and impact of a tight and powerful rhythm section.”

Wolf Creek’s collective experience on the regional live music scene is considerable. According to Price, he and Main’s musical relationship began in the mid-1980s with the band Double Shot. However, Wolf Creek’s roots were sewn while Price, Jackson and Crawford worked together backing Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Reagan Boggs.

Price said that the band’s vast influences and love of multiple genres make Wolf Creek’s live shows something that all sorts of music lovers could enjoy.

“It’s really hard to pin it down,” said Price. “There’s everything from Chris Knight and Steve Earle and Charlie Daniels, to bluegrass standards and the Doobie Brothers.”

Price also noted that band members frequently flex their musical muscle during shows, swapping instruments to add new flavors to various songs.

“It’s not just five guys playing the same thing all night,” said Price.

Price said that the band has been in the studio in recent months working on their debut CD. The disc will feature several original compositions by the band members, as well as songs by talented regional writers including Milan Miller, Mark Bumgarner and Blue Highway’s Tim Stafford.

In addition to their performance at Canyons, Wolf Creek will hit the stage in Banner Elk later this summer for the town’s Concerts in the Park series.

For more information on the band, click to www.wolfcreekmusic.com or www.myspace.com/wolfcreekband.