New Years Eve: Malpass Brothers & Gary Mule Deer

Malpass Brothers:

As young boys, Christopher and Taylor Malpass soaked up the music of their granddad’s phonograph records. Christopher earned his first talent show trophy at age 7, and Taylor was playing mandolin by the time he was 10. Today, they promote the work and music of classic country artists they treasure while creating new music and making their own mark in the lineage of a rich American cultural heritage. With sincerity, honesty and an utter ease on stage that belies their years, their smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship layer infectiously into the deep respect they pay to legends who have paved the way. Add the funny, off-the-cuff quips between the two 20-something siblings, and the engaging concert becomes a magnetic time-traveling journey to when a calmer rhythm reigned supreme. The Malpass Brothers toured with the late Don Helms, former steel guitarist for Hank Williams, have opened for music legend Merle Haggard on multiple tours and appeared on stages from the Shetland Islands to Ryman Auditorium to Merlefest. Gifted musicians and songwriters, the brothers have shared billing with artists including Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Doyle Lawson, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Doc Watson and more. The title cut video from their “Memory That Bad” album hit CMT Pure Country’s Top Ten. Their most recent self-titled recording, produced by bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson, was released by Crossroads’ Organic Records in 2015. If you like cornbread & hush puppies, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. If you like sweet tea, barbecue & collards, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. If you like clean fresh air over a freshly-plowed field, if you like a great big ol’ corn puddin’ at a homecoming covered dish, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. That’s a promise. (And you don’t lie about a covered dish supper.) This is the real deal, folks. There is no pretense. This is music steeped in the legacy of the Louvin Brothers, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Sr. & others. Count on classic, real country. Count on new Malpass tunes. Count on a couple of old-time traditional gospels. Count on their probably coming down into the house at intermission and asking what you’d like to hear. Count on giggles and ribbing between brothers, along with daddy on the bass, who’s bound to be thinking, “What the hell are they doing now?” Count on some big, high man hair, and maybe an Elvis twitch or two. Count on lines at the CD table… and count on logging on to see where they’ll be next. 🙂

Gary Mule Deer:

Gary Mule Deer’s comedy and music have set him apart as one-of-a-kind. He has performed on nearly every major concert stage in the country and made over 360 television appearances, with many on both The Tonight Show and David Letterman. He was one of six comedians, along with Jay Leno, to star on the first HBO Comedy Special, was the comedy host of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert for four years on NBC, and a series regular on Make Me Laugh. He is currently featured on the DVDs Jeff Foxworthy’s Comedy Classics and The World’s Greatest Stand-up Comedy Collection. Gary is one of the most played comedians on Sirius XM’s Laugh USA.

Gary appears regularly on the Grand Ole Opry. And in a career spanning over five decades, he has shared the stage with more than a hundred music legends. He has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Royal Albert Hall, and has been part of the Johnny Mathis show as Special Guest since 1994 in major venues across the country.

In addition to his well-known comedy, Gary is a talented singer and musician, performing classic country, including the music of Johnny Cash in his show since the ’60s. The popularity of Gary Mule Deer’s comedy and music cuts across all ages and demographics.

“This is the funniest man in America.” Clint Eastwood

“You’re the greatest, the funniest…always were.” Steve Martin