EarlCanBird

Who's EarlCanBird? Country music like it used to be. Country music that fills a honky-tonk, starts a fight, buys a round, and cries into its glass.As perhaps the most versatile ensemble on New Orleans’ burgeoning classic country music scene, EARL CAN BIRD is on a mission to spread the great songs and sounds of the country music canon to diehard fans and novices alike. The EARL CAN BIRD vocal sound has been heavily influenced by the rich harmonies of classic “family bands” and vocal groups such as the Carter Family, the Blue Sky Boys, the Louvin Brothers, and the Maddox Brothers & Rose. Instrumentally, the BIRD’s diverse styles range from honky-tonk, rockabilly, and acoustic country and bluegrass to the guitar-driven “Bakersfield” sound to the tremolo-heavy soul of a 70s Nashville studio band. Their repertoire includes a healthy dose of original tunes combined with a wide range of classic country nuggets from the 1940s to the 1970s, drawing heavily from such legends as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Webb Pierce, Hank Williams, and Willie Nelson. In keeping with the populist tradition of a true family band, vocal duties are shared among all six band members, allowing the BIRD a tremendous range of styles and moods.EARL CAN BIRD was formed in early 2005 by New Orleans residents Lucas Davenport (guitar, vocals) and Mike Bradley (guitar, vocals) out of a shared desire to reconnect with the music that provided the soundtrack for much of their misspent youths. They began by recruiting North Georgia native Julinna Oxley to share her ample piano and vocal talents—skills that were finely honed during a childhood of playing and singing in church choirs and camp meetings. After enlisting the support of New Orleans music veterans Jim Smith (harmonica, guitar, and vocals), Pete Bradish (drums, vocals), and David Hyman (bass, vocals), the lineup was complete.In the months since "the storm," the band has refined its sound, honed its chops, and written a wealth of new original material. In addition, the band began recording in 2006 and completed the “Birdshot EP” one day before Vice President Dick Cheney shot his hunting buddy in the face with you-know-what. EARL CAN BIRD hopes to ride the momentum from this dubious publicity stunt to greater heights of honky-tonk glory in the months to follow.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4