Wimberley Bluegrass Band


Wimberley Bluegrass Band is an American bluegrass band that has been recording and performing since 2008. The group consists of the Wimberley siblings, Danielle, James, Mark, and Michael. Their sound is largely based on vocal harmonies and the traditional style of 40s era bluegrass and western swing. The group gained prominence in the Los Angeles music scene after an article appeared in CBS-LA naming them one of LA's Top-Five Bluegrass Bands.

History

The Wimberley siblings grew up in California and asked their parents for a banjo one Christmas after hearing Foggy Mountain Breakdown by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 1 album. They began performing regularly at Los Rios Rancho in Oak Glen, California. They developed an encyclopedic knowledge of the music's history, often memorizing album personnel from liner notes.
Within the next few years, Wimberley Bluegrass Band began performing and headlining at festivals and making occasional television and radio appearances.

Influences

Wimberley Bluegrass Band members cited musical influences like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, and Doyle Lawson.

College and academia

In 2011, the Wimberley siblings made the choice to go to college at the same time, despite ranging five years in age from eldest to youngest. They continued to perform during this time, incorporating their music into their academic careers, with a radio program on Chapman Radio and participating in their KCET broadcasts. They graduated from Chapman University together, walking commencement in the same weekend in 2016. At the time, Michael was 17, making him Chapman University's List of [Chapman University alumni|youngest graduate].

Notable work

The Wimberley Bluegrass Band met actor Atticus Shaffer at a concert in Pasadena and through that introduction, Wimberley Bluegrass Band's original Hard Working Man was featured on an episode of ABC's hit sitcom The Middle.
Wimberley Bluegrass Band participated in a benefit concert with John C Reilly produced by The New LA Folk Festival and LA Record for the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Wimberley Bluegrass Band made an unaired appearance on season 9 of America's Got Talent.
During their studies at Chapman University, they gave a bluegrass demonstration at TEDxChapmanU
Wimberley Bluegrass Band appeared as a guest on Jonas & Warren's song California to Tennessee.
Danielle and James, were featured musicians and background actors for a KFC Commercial featuring Darrell Hammond, parodying Colonel Sanders' Mandolin Band.
Wimberley Bluegrass Band were part of the inaugural performance at the Musco Center for the Arts along with the Mariachi Divas. They occasionally tour with Dennis Agajanian, making appearances with Greg Laurie, Franklin Graham, and Wil Graham.

Music

Wimberley Bluegrass Band has released seven albums since 2008, three of which are still in print. They perform a mix of traditional and original music.

Members

  • Danielle Wimberley - mandolin, vocals
  • James Wimberley - banjo, dobro, vocals
  • Mark Wimberley - guitar, bass, vocals
  • Michael Wimberley - fiddle, vocals