THE WELCH BOYS

Many of you may know Kevin Welch from his frequent visits to Australia, whether solo, or with his old partners Kieran Kane and Fats Kaplin, (Kane Welch Kaplin). Over the years Kevin has written songs for Waylon Jennings (one of which was covered by the Highwaymen), Roger Miller, the great Solomon Burke, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Don Williams, Linda Ronstadt, Tim O’Brian, etc. Considered by many to be one of the founding forces behind the alt.country and Americana movements, Welch now resides in the Hill Country outside of Austin Texas and continues to record, produce, write, and tour the world as a performer.

Dustin Welch grew up in Nashville, surrounded by writers, singers, pickers, and artists of all kinds. His formed his first kid band with the Welch’s neighbour, Cary Ann Hearst, who grew up and became half of the acclaimed Shovels and Rope. His next kid band was with other Music Row offspring including Justin Townes Earle and Cory Younts (who now plays with Old Crow Medicine Show as well as with Jack White). Soon after, Dustin joined the West Coast Celtic punk rock band Scotch Greens playing banjo, and toured all over the world, before settling in Austin to start his solo career.

Writing for Music Connection, journalist Dan Kimpel said: In the hands of Dustin Welch a banjo possesses the ferocious firepower to confront abrasive electric guitars and hard- hitting staccato snares. “It can do a lot more than the three-finger bluegrass type stuff,” says Welch. “It can have a pretty evil sound if you want it to.” A consumate slide player as well, and an intensely literate songwriter, his first two solo records, Whisky Priest and Tijuana Bible put him into the upper realm of Austin rockers. Now the Welch boys have joined forces, and this collaboration, the result of years of hard work and dreams, is on the road and coming to your beautiful country.