Any info on the Hutchison Bros. Band or Hutchison Family Band ?

Slim Rinkle · #1 01-07-2009, 07:25 PM

I played a New Years gig the other day in Zanesville, Ohio for a square dance at an old folks center. Didn't know any of the folks playing, or even who was going to play, but was amazed at how unbelievably good these musicians were, and the nicest people you might want to meet! Funny too! The electric 5 string mandolin player was a real tall fellow named Zeke and the fiddle player was named Doug Jackson; all from around the area. A friend said that "Zeke" was Zeke Hutchison and his Dad was also Zeke and one of Tony Triska's favorite banjo players. I'd believe it! He and Doug and the lap steel player, named Wilson or "Hank"
Brinkly, who was a wonder too as well as the guitarist and female vocalist. A pure pleasure for me and the most fun I've had in a long time. I'm fairly new to the current Bluegrass scene; anyone familiar with these fine folks? Sure do hope they call me again!
Slim

Jake deVilliers · #2 01-08-2009, 11:21 AM

Um, electric 5 string mandolin and lap steel aren't bluegrass instruments, even if the guys are ripping up 'Wheel Hoss'! What was the drummer's name?

Try 'Google'

Slim Rinkle · #3 01-08-2009, 02:22 PM

No drummer per se. There was a fellow who kinda half tapped a bass drum and sorta lightly played brushes who, he and his wife, did most of the calling. Here is the band's site:
http://www.backporchswingband.netfirms.com/
Don't know why that didn't come up a hyperlink .... ahh well.
You can go to www.backporchswingband.com if you have any interest at all. Thanks for the response. Slim

Jake deVilliers · #4 01-08-2009, 04:36 PM

Well, that explains it - maybe you should ask your question in the 'Western Swing' forum.

Slim Rinkle · #5 01-08-2009, 05:44 PM

Ah yes, I'm pretty new. Didn't realize there was a Western Swing forum. That is for sure those fellows! Lot's of fun for bass.
Thank you for redirecting me sir. Slim

ASBass · #6 01-08-2009, 06:10 PM

Zeke Hutchison is an incredibly talented musician and one heck of a nice guy. His father and uncle, along with a couple of others, made up the Hutchison Brothers band back in the 70's or 80's. No western swing there, strictly bluegrass, and good too. Zeke is THE best mandolin picker that I've ever encountered. He gives mandolin lessons and I was fortunate enough to be one of his students for a couple of years.

Slim Rinkle · #7 01-09-2009, 04:53 AM

Oh yeah! Zeke and I hit it off right away. He's a real hoot too! We knew quite a few folks in common and he was in another group with an old friend I used to work with, Dean Inboden, another very fine player. He and Doug Jackson, the fiddler, and as amazing as Zeke, were constantly cracking jokes all night over there on the other side of the stage and then ripping off the most incredible playing. I finally said " Hey, you guys have your own ecosystem going on over there." and then everyone started calling it their "Zekosystem". Mighty fun night!
Thanks for the info and comment. Slim

4hill_gal · #8 07-06-2010, 07:35 AM

Back in the 70s & 80s the Hutchison Bros were based out of Barnesville, OH. Can you believe I've never heard Zeke play mandolin live? Would love to though. On the two albums I have, Zeke is on banjo, while "Peach" Hampton is on mandolin. Zeke is a hunting buddy of my father-in-law and came to our wedding back in '90. We talked him into playing a song or two at our reception. He had his banjo in his car.

The original members of the Hutchison Brothers were: John D "JD" Hutchison - guitar/vocal, Robert "Zeke" Hutchison - banjo/vocal, Greg Dearth - fiddle, Thomas "Peach" Hampton - mandolin/vocal, and Tim "Rock" Sparkman - bass. Tim O'Brien also played fiddle and guitar with them on occasion.

4hill_gal · #9 07-06-2010, 10:44 AM

Duh! on my part. I just realized that it's "Zeke" Jr. who plays mandolin. His dad, Bob "Zeke" is who I am familiar with and who was in the Hutchison Bros. JD is Robert's uncle. Sorry for my confusion.

Robert "Zeke" Hutchison, Barnesville, OH - 1990.

Steve Swan · #10 07-10-2010, 12:04 PM

The Hutchison Brothers were a real fixture during their brief relocation to San Francisco (late 1970s?). John Hutchison has written many great songs, some of which were covered by the band Hot Rize. The bass player sometimes went by the stage name "Pud Zippers". It was a different time, for sure.

juuzek · #11 07-13-2010, 06:33 PM

Check out this interview with him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym-4E_-dadA