Additional Resources
Artist's Official Website: http://www.grandsons.com/
Millennium Stage Home Page
Part of the Performing Arts for Everyone Initiative
THE GRANDSONS
About the Artist
ALAN MACEWEN, Vocalist, Guitarist, Trumpeter
CHRIS WATLING, Saxophonist
MATTHEW SEDGLEY, Drums and percussion
The Grandsons are celebrating their 21st year in the world of rock and roll. The group recently won two WAMMIE’s for “Artist of the Year” and “Best Roots Rock Recording” for their sixth album, 2007’s Live at the Barns-The Legendary Wolf Trap Recordings Volume II.
The roots rock quartet has performed throughout the U.S. and toured internationally in Germany, France, Canada, and Taiwan. Their 1991 debut album Howdy from the Grandsons produced by ex-Slickee Boy Mark Noone, was hailed by The Washington Post as “so free-spirited and so subversively anti-sophisticate that it's practically new territory.” After catching a set at Austin's South by Southwest conference, Rounder Records quickly added the album to its mail order catalog, the Record Roundup. The group’s follow up album, It's Hip to Flip, showcased their maturing style with 11 new hard-hitting songs and won a WAMMIE. They spent 2006 promoting their nationally acclaimed fifth recording, Party with the Rich, and their previous album, Pan-American Shindig, spent ten weeks on the Americana Radio top-forty. The disc has garnered rave reviews as it explores Americana roots rock with originals and adaptations of obscure R&B tunes.
The Grandsons bring with them a pawn shop of instruments. Vocalist-guitarist-trumpeter Alan MacEwen charms audiences with his sly wit and winsome original songs. Saxophonist Chris Watling puts out a sound so meaty and memorable that he is in demand all over as a guest artist and session player. D.C. blues veteran Matthew Sedgley locks in the groove on drums and percussion. The group employs first-call bassists to hold down the low end, including Moe Nelson (Hula Monsters, Dan Hicks), John Young (Spottiswoode & His Enemies), Eric Bowers (Bombpop, I Like Dinner), and Steve Sachse (Lloyd Price, Ben E King, Jerry Butler).
Past Performances
January 1, 2009
Winners of the 2007 WAMMIE Award for Artist of the Year, this roots rock quartet combines New Orleans R&B, rockabilly, swing, and country two step.
July 30, 2007
The roots rock quartet The Grandsons whirls an eclectic mix of New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing, and country two-step.
January 28, 2003
The Grandsons break out a veritable pawnshop of instruments to create an eclectic whirlpool of New Orleans rhythm and blues, rockabilly, swing, and country two steps.
August 17, 2000
New Orleans rhythm and blues are prominent elements in the electric whirlpool known as The Grandsons.
