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Draffenville Native on Playing with The Gibson Brothers and Kentucky Opry Show

gibsonbrothers.com

Clayton Campbell, fiddle player for award-winning Bluegrass group The Gibson Brothers talks with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about growing up on stage at The Kentucky Opry, his career in music, and performing in front of his hometown friends and family in Draffenville.

Recent Acclaim

The Gibson Brothers are one of the biggest names in Bluegrass today, named "Entertainer of the Year" two consecutive by the IBMA Awards, among other honors. Recently signed on with Rounder Records, they are working on an album paying tribute to 'brother duets' like The Everly Brothers and Monroe Brothers, to early artists like The York Brothers, The Delmore Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys. The album is set to release in January 2015. 

Roots in Draffenville

Campbell got his start playing on stage at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville around the age of 6 or 7. His father opened the place in 1988 as a venue for local musicians to play and for people to come out to see music that wasn't a bar or nightclub. Campbell credits his fortunate experience early in life - hanging out backstage with Bill Monroe, Merle Haggard and Ray Price - for his broad musical base and passion for music. His brothers are also musicians: Cody plays keyboards with the Van-Dells, a 50s and 60s style band, and Casey plays banjo and guitar with Paducah-based band Bawn in the Mash.

Joining the Band

He went on to attend Murray State University, where he received classical training and played in the orchestra. About 12 years ago, while on tour playing with Adrienne Young's folk and old-time band, they shared the stage with The Gibson Brothers who were looking to add a fiddle to their touring band. Campbell started playing with them and eventually joined the band.

"I'm really happy where I'm at The Gibson Brothers are deeply rooted in bluegrass and old country music and I get a chance to play some of that stuff which I am happy about."

Concert Info

The Gibson Brothers play The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this Friday (July 25) and come back to Draffenville for a performance at The Kentucky Opry this Saturday (July 26). Tickets to the Kentucky Opry show are $16 in advance and $19 at the door.

The Gibson Brothers website

The Kentucky Opry website

Clayton Campbell plays "Ragtime Annie" with The Gibson Brothers:

http://youtu.be/oUnALbc10sw

Tracy started working for WKMS in 1994 while attending Murray State University. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees from MSU he was hired as Operations/Web/Sports Director in 2000. Tracy hosted All Things Considered from 2004-2012 and has served as host/producer of several music shows including Cafe Jazz, and Jazz Horizons. In 2001, Tracy revived Beyond The Edge, a legacy alternative music program that had been on hiatus for several years. Tracy was named Program Director in 2011 and created the midday music and conversation program Sounds Good in 2012 which he hosts Monday-Thursday. Tracy lives in Murray with his wife, son and daughter.
Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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