The HillBenders’ Nolan Lawrence chats about Jan. 17 show at Hill Country, The Who, “America’s Got Talent” and more

by | Jan 14, 2016 | Coming Up, Culture, Events, Music

Having been a conceptual rock album, a Broadway show, and a touring production in multiple incarnations, many people would assume that The Who’s Tommy has been done to death. After all, in selling over 20 million copies, it’s questionable as to how fresh air can be breathed into a 46-year old album. However, the Missouri quintet The HillBenders managed to accomplish something unique with Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, which Rolling Stone named one of the “Greatest Country Albums of 2015 You Probably Didn’t Hear.”

On Jan. 17, The HillBenders will be in the area for an 8:00 p.m. show at Hill Country Live (30 West 26th St.). While the focus of the evening is said to be Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, within our Q&A, mandolinist Nolan Lawrence said that other music may be performed at Hill Country. However, there’s plenty more to the group – who released two albums and appeared on America’s Got Talent prior to the Bluegrass Opry – than classic rock tributes.

For more information on The HillBenders – which also includes guitarist Jim Rea, bassist Gary Rea, banjoist Mark Cassidy, and Chad “Gravyboat” Graves on dobro – click on over to www.hillbenders.com.

Photo: Christina Rea

Photo: Christina Rea

In retrospect, was appearing on America’s Got Talent beneficial for your career?

Nolan Lawrence: It has garnered us a little extra attention over the years, and has been a great talking point and an experience we will never forget. It probably helped us get a few shows here and there, but it wasn’t hugely impactful, no. It probably would have been more so had we seen more airtime, but we only got a few seconds when it was all said and done.

When it comes to learning The Who’s Tommy to perform it, did you actually chart it out? Or did everyone know what to play as a result of hearing it so much?

N: Our guitar player, Jim Rea, actually charted everything out and re-arranged the songs for the acoustic approach we took. There were extensive listening sessions, and countless hours of personal time invested in learning the nuances of the original recording.

Is it true that Pete Townshend — who’s notoriously overprotective of his music — gave his blessing to your interpretation of Tommy?

N: It is true. Within hours of receiving it, he responded with loving approval and invited us to attend their Nashville show at Bridgestone Arena as VIP guests so that he could meet us after the show. We met and spoke briefly backstage where he expressed his appreciation for the project and divulged that he had been following its progress for some time, as rumors of it had been circulating overseas prior to its release. The Who have since showed overwhelming support by promoting the release of the record on their social media outlets as well as releasing exclusive video content from Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry to millions of fans on The Who’s Facebook page.

Is Tommy your favorite album by The Who? For me, personally, The Who Sell Out is the stand-out of the catalog.

N: Before taking on this project, I would have said Who’s Next, but now Tommy has taken on a whole new depth for me and has edged its way into the top spot.

At Hill Country, will your group be performing anything besides The Who’s Tommy?

N: Depending on time constrains, we may be able to fit in a special surprise encore.

Do you know what your next album will be?

N: We’re working on that as we speak. The only thing I can divulge at this point is that it will be a multi-national undertaking.

When did your appreciation for bluegrass music first start? 

N: A little over a decade ago, a roommate of mine brought home a mandolin. I started searching for chord sheets and mandolin music, which led me to the band Nickel Creek. Their music was so inspiring it prompted a headlong dive into all forms of bluegrass and acoustic music. I eventually went back to college to study bluegrass music and learn the mandolin among other instruments. Coincidentally, that is where I met and became friends and roommates with our banjo player, Mark Cassidy. That friendship ultimately led to the formation of The HillBenders some years later.

Hayseed Dixie and the Pickin’ On series help bridge the gap to bluegrass for many rock listeners. Could The HillBenders ever tour with a similar sort of group? Or do you prefer playing alongside groups from other genres?

N: While I do think that variety is essential to a good lineup, we would absolutely tour with a group like Hayseed Dixie if the opportunity came up.

When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

N: I’m a huge foodie and love to cook, so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen among other things.

Finally, Nolan, any last words for the kids?

N: Put down that video game controller and try your hand at pinball!

-by Darren Paltrowitz

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