News

Holmes Brothers Live On Acoustic Cafe
3/16/2004
The Holmes Brothers will be the featured artists on the nationally syndicated program, Acoustic Cafe, beginning the week of 3/22. Join them for an intimate set of music and conversation as they play tunes from their new release, Simple Truths. Acoustic Cafe airs on over 70 stations nationwide. Check your local listings.
Holmes Brothers in Performance at the Kennedy Center
2/24/2004
Watch two complete Holmes Brothers performances recorded at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The first is from 2001, the second from 2004.
HOLMES BROTHERS TO APPEAR ON LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN
2/17/2004
The Holmes Brothers – guitarist/vocalist Wendell Holmes, bassist/vocalist Sherman Holmes and drummer/vocalist Popsy Dixon – will appear on NBC Television’s “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” this Wednesday, February 18. They will sing “We Meet, We Part, We Remember” from their new Alligator CD, SIMPLE TRUTHS – a song Entertainment Weekly called, “A timeless original.”

HOLMES BROTHERS TO APPEAR ON LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN

Produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson) and released on January 13, 2004, SIMPLE TRUTHS is receiving massive amounts of critical acclaim, radio airplay and popular support. Stellar reviews appeared in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, The Washington Post, The Associated Press Newswire, The Detroit Free Press, Guitar World, GuitarOne, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and All Songs Considered. Currently holding the #7 spot on the Billboard Blues Chart, SIMPLE TRUTHS is receiving airplay on over 250 stations nationwide, and was the #1 album on the Friday Morning Quarterback’s Public Radio chart two weeks straight. The album is in the Top Ten on the influential Radio & Records Americana Charts and reached the Top Five on the CMJ Adult Rock chart.

Ever since 1979, The Holmes Brothers have been bringing their brand of gospel-inflected, spiritually moving and funky music to audiences around the world. Their breathtaking harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their inspired musicianship and their ability to perform sanctified gospel, low-down roadhouse blues, deep soul, barroom country and pure pop--all in one set.

Originally from Christchurch, Virginia, brothers Sherman and Wendell Holmes grew up listening to traditional Baptist hymns and spirituals as well as country and blues music. After moving to New York, the two formed The Sevilles in 1963, often backing up touring artists like The Impressions and John Lee Hooker. In 1979 Sherman, Wendell and a fellow Virginian, drummer Popsy Dixon, formed The Holmes Brothers band. The sound of The Holmes Brothers is unique; the rhythmic foundation laid down by Sherman's bass playing and Popsy's drumming perfectly compliment Wendell's hard-driving guitar solos. But even more gripping than their instrumental prowess is their amazing three-part harmony singing, mixing Wendell's gruff and gravelly vocals with Popsy's soaring falsetto and Sherman's rich baritone.

The Holmes Brothers have recorded with many artists, including Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, and Joan Osborne, and have gigged all over the world. They joined the Alligator Records family in 2001, and their label debut SPEAKING IN TONGUES amazed and delighted everybody who heard it. The Chicago Tribune called it a "a gift to the world of music."

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Holmes Brothers on Voice Of America
2/12/2004
The Holmes Brothers and their new Cd, Simple Truths, are featured in a five-minute audio feature on the Voice of America Radio Network.
Holmes Brother Feature Story in Billboard.com
2/5/2004
Writer Jason Macneil interviewed the Holmes Brothers about their new CD, Simple Truths, in this feature story for Billboard.com.
B.B. King Set to Headline Living Blues’ Second Annual Blues Today Symposium
1/26/2004
OXFORD, Mississippi – Legendary musician B.B. King returns to his home state February 26-28 to perform at the University of Mississippi’s (UM) second annual Blues Today symposium. Produced by Living Blues magazine – a publication of UM’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture – the event includes everything from a panel discussion on the current state of the blues to a goat roast at a local juke joint.
Holmes Brothers' Simple Truths Reviewed on National Public Radio's All Things Considered
1/20/2004
Critic Meredith Ochs reviewed the Holmes Brothers' CD Simple Truths on the January 19, 2004 edition on the National Public Radio program All Things Considered.
Kenny Neal & Billy Branch's Double Take Reviewed in Billboard
1/19/2004
Philip Van Vleck reviewed the new Kenny Neal & Billy Branch cd, Doubletake, in the January 13, 2004 issue of Billboard.
Holmes Brothers Simple Truths Championed on All Songs Considered
1/14/2004
The Holmes Brothers new cd, Simple Truths, received a glowing endorsement from reviewer Meredeth Ochs on the National Public Radio On-Line program, All Songs Considered. Ochs declares, "This is the best contemporary electric blues record I've heard in a long time." The Holmes segment occurs at the 31:22 point in the show.
Holmes Brothers' Simple Truths Receives 3 1/2 Star Review in USA TODAY
1/13/2004
Writing in the 13 January 2004 edition of USA TODAY, Brian Mansfield says "Simple Truths" features the most eclectic mix of songs you'll hear this year...masterful."
Holmes Brothers' Simple Truths Reviewed in New York Post
1/13/2004
Dan Aquilante checked in with this positive review in the 13 January 2004 edition of the New York Post, declaring Simple Truths "a timeless album."
Holmes Brothers on "Here And Now"
1/13/2004
The Holmes Brothers appeared on the WBUR program "Here And Now." Hear Sherman and Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon talk about their new cd, Simple Truths in this 10 minute segment.