James Overbee and Roy Lee Centers are life long friends. Both grew up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky and came from very musical familys. The music of the mountians has had a profound influence on the music that these two have created together and apart. Bluegrass, folk and country music is in the blood in their veins. But the music of the time they were raised in had a lasting and profound effect on the way that the other influences come forth. The first project that they worked together in was 'Mad Wreck' back in 1998. This band was an electric band influenced by the 'Alternative' music of their young years. Today they are in 'James Overbee and The Talking Machine'. This project features the songs of James Overbee. James sings lead, plays acoustic and electric guitar and harmonica. Roy plays electric and acoustic guitar, dobro, mandolin and banjo. While Fred Spencer JR. plays drums and Ian North plays bass.James Overbee was writing songs from the time that he bagan to speak. James has written somewhere around 1000 songs in his time. His Father was in a popular southern gospel group when he was born. They made records and traveled the country playing churches and other religious functions throughout James early life. Sleeping on bunk beds in a converted Silver Egale was a common thing for the young James Overbee. His father was a successful songwriter in his own right. Recording, writing, studios, touring and royalties were constant topics of conversation in James' home at an early age. Numerous all-night bluegrass/country/folk jam sessions were a constant occurance in the Overbee home. And singing and performing in church and on television with his father and younger sister in 'The Overbees' was frequent also. Then in the late eighties Overbee's father (who was also a major fan of the music of his own generation) played The Beatles 'Abbey Road' album for him. That moment changed everything for James. "That's when I really understood what 'Rock and Roll' was" says Overbee.Roy Lee Centers was given the name of his grandfather, Roy Lee Centers, by his father Lennie Centers. Roys grandfather, Roy became the lead singer in Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys after Larry Sparks departed the band. He performed along with Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley while in the band. He is featured on some of the most popular bluegrass recordings ever made. These include 'Live in Japan' and 'A Cry From The Cross'. Roy Lee Centers was murdered in 1974. However his voice, his influence and his bloodline continue on in the massive talent of his son Lennie Centers and his grandson and namesake Roy Lee Centers. Also the extreme influence and awareness of many major artists in all styles of music. Young Roy Lee Centers' influences don't stop at bluegrass and country. His has a pile of Rock and Roll inside of him. Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, AC/DC and Led Zeppelin (to name only a very few) shine through in his gritty yet precise electric guitar musings. These influences can be heard in his acoustic instrument playing also. What a combination!
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