July 14th, 2008 Webmaster
Comments, cheers and love for the Malpass Brothers was shown Saturday night when the boys put on a “show to remember,” for their very own local crowd in Goldsboro, NC. The auditorium at Wayne Community College was filled to capacity - and maybe then some - as the boys’ charisma and stage presence kept the crowd entertained for over two hours.
Chris performed a mix of hits from days past and performed some of his original work he’d written himself as well, while Taylor got a huge roar from the audience when he crooned his way through a set of solo tunes that included “Hello Walls.” Of course, the brothers also performed several duets as well.
The boys were backed by their father Chris on the bass fiddle, Clyde Mattocks on steel guitar and electric guitar and Dennis Daniels on the snare drum. After closing out the performance, the boys were drawn back to the stage for an encore set of another four, or five tunes, leaving the crowd feeling like they’d certainly gotten their money’s worth, but also leaving them wanting more.
The show producer, Brent Hood, opened the night for the boys with his niece Caitlin Hood of Cape Carteret, who played the trumpet as Mr. Hood sung the Johnny Cash hit “Ring of Fire” and played guitar. Hood dedicated the show in memory of his family’s long-time friend, Phil Weaver of Mount Olive, who had passed away just one week before the show. Mr. Weaver’s wife Ann, son Gary and daughter-in-law Ann Davis were in attendance. Christopher also dedicated a song in memory of Mr. Weaver.
The locals have sure been vocal about how much they enjoyed the show. Many comments were made following the Saturday night event, and several have made a point to contact the boys and Mr. Hood to express their positive feedback.
Thanks Goldsboro for giving us two sold out shows in one year in our home town. We’ve played all over the country, but there’s nothing like coming home to play for the folks that have been with us all along.
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June 26th, 2008 Webmaster
It was a night to remember. The boys performed for the first time ever at the Ryman Auditorium when they opened for Merle Haggard on Wednesday, June 25th. Always wanting to promote traditional country music, Christopher took to the Ryman stage where his heroes have all once stood and said, “It’s been a long time since good country music has been done on this stage, but you’re gonna hear some tonight.” Christopher’s rendition of Hank Williams’ Jambalaya turned the the crowd on and he had them hooked right from the start. Christopher said after the concert, “You could tell this was our kind of crowd. They like real country music.”
Taylor, who was picking the mandolin during the set, moved to the center mic for his chance at making a historic memory of his own. When he crooned just two words from his mouth, “Hello walls,” the crowd roared with appreciation, knowing these boys understood the heritage of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. Taylor commented after the show that he’d been wanting to do that Faron Young song at the Ryman, then said it was odd to see that Faron was in almost every photograph hanging backstage.
Christopher closed out the set with That’s Alright Mama, nearly bringing the house down as he gyrated and wiggled his hips and legs through one of Elvis’ most well-known songs. The boys went off the stage as the crowd roared for more.
Backstage, and while other opening acts were in action, Christopher got to meet country music star Gretchen Wilson by chance. She came out of Merle’s dressing room and was standing next to Christopher. He asked for a photo with her and the result can be seen below. Taylor, on the other hand, got to meet John Anderson out by the bus as John was leaving the show.
All the family and friends that attended the event had a wonderful time.
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June 22nd, 2008 Webmaster
While on tour with Merle Haggard, the boys got to meet the legendary performer Jerry Lee Lewis. The boys were able to visit with Jerry Lee for a good long time backstage while in Robinsonville, Mississippi last night. Now there’s another legend that’s played with them all - Elvis, Cash, you name ‘em, he’s played with ‘em!
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June 19th, 2008 Webmaster
Chris and Taylor left out of Goldsboro this past Sunday to meet up with Merle Haggard to start off another run of tour dates opening for the country music legend. The tour will run through the early part of July and will include the closest stop to North Carolina this year at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on June 25th. The Malpass Brothers will be opening for Merle that night, right on the same stage where all their country music heroes have once stood. Many of their friends and fans are making a pilgrimage to Nashville that week to see them open for Merle. We hope to see you there!
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May 14th, 2008 Webmaster
If you happen to get some photos of Christopher and/or Taylor while on tour with Merle Haggard, please send them to our webmaster to he can put them on our blog. It can be any type photo - on stage, backstage, after a show, with you and your friends - doesn’t matter. We want to see ‘em. Thanks! CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL NOW!
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May 7th, 2008 Webmaster
A fellow from Oklahoma sent us some cell phone photos and he put a short video of Christopher on MySpace of him singing Jambalaya while on tour with Merle Haggard. Check ‘em out.
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May 5th, 2008 Webmaster
The boys performed at the Ice House in Selma Friday night and the crowd went wild over the show. The boys and dad were backed by Bryant Aycock on the steel guitar and Dennis Daniels with a snare and hi-hat. Christopher said he was mighty pleased with how the sound came off, and that it was the first time the Malpass Brothers had ever been backed with drums. He said he was thinking of using them boys again some time.
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May 5th, 2008 Webmaster
The Malpass Brothers opened for Ray Price at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC this past week. The boys got to spend some time with Mr. Price before the show. Taylor made mention that Mr. Price didn’t move around much, but he still was able to work the audience and he still has that great voice. Christopher said Mr. Price asked about Don Helms, wanting to know if Christopher knew how he was doing. Here’s some photos from the show.
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April 8th, 2008 Webmaster
We’d like to put your photos of Chris on our blog. If you have a photo of him while on tour with Merle, please send it to us. We’re looking for show pictures, pictures before and after the shows, anything you have of Chris while he’s on tour with Merle. It doesn’t matter if you or other people are in the photo with him, we’d love to feature them here.
Please send your unedited images to our webmaster. Tell us a little about the photo, like when and where you took it. NOTE: Photos may be used on our blog, web site, and/or MySpace page.
Thanks!
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April 7th, 2008 Webmaster
Taylor gives an acceptance speech after receiving the Virginia “Ginny” Wicker award that was given to the Malpass Brothers for their continued support of traditional country music. Sonny Rains, Miss Ginny’s grandson (right) presented the award. Taylor stated,”Me and Chris didn’t think there was anybody who liked traditional country music more than us, until we met Miss Ginny back stage during one of our shows here at the JCC.”
Here’s the press release info:
Christopher and Taylor Malpass received the first annual Ginny Wicker Music Award Friday, April 4, 2008 at Johnston Community College’s Country Music Showcase in Smithfield, NC.
Wicker was one of the first folks sitting at the table that developed the idea of the Country Music Showcase at Johnston Community College.
Born in Kenly, NC in 1922, she was a local talent who managed to bring her love of country and gospel music to the people of Johnston County. She even hosted her own radio and television show entitled “The Ginny Wicker Home Folks Show.”
Wicker became a regular cast member of the Country Music Showcase and a beloved entertainer to many. Audience members will forever remember her by her original and often quirky songs such as “Sleeping Double on a Water Bed,” “Honky Tonk Joe and Flo,” “Christmas in Heaven,” and “Keep On Keeping On.”
The award was presented by Wicker’s grandson, Sonny Rains. Rains stated “his grandmother recognized the same intense and burning desire to play, sing, and preserve traditional country music in Christopher and Taylor that she possessed.” Rains added, “The country music family of Johnston County has been truly blessed to witness the development of the tremendous talent of the recipients of this award. We eagerly anticipate each success and milestone in their careers. The vision and dedication of these young men and their family serves as an inspiration that goes far beyond the performance stage. There could be no more fitting recipients of the first Ginny Wicker Music Award than Chris and Taylor Malpass.”
The Malpass bothers received a beautiful crystal obelisk award and a check in the amount of $500.00.
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