Culture
Ralph White and Washboard Hank play The Union June 18
< < Back toATHENS, Ohio – Ralph White (ATX, Bad Livers), the Caitlin Kraus Band, and Jerrod & Bailey play The Union (18 W. Union St.) June 18.
One of our foremost instrumentalists and a true hidden American treasure, Ralph White has taken the back roads in his inspired pursuit of the ancient roots of music. The “folk/noise/avant-whatever genius” (Joe Gross, Austin Statesman) has made many strange travels as an itinerant musician and laborer. Thus his intimate, nuanced musical language has slowly revealed itself, along a path that meanders from the apple orchards of British Columbia to the villages of Zimbabwe and Namibia, from the lonesome moors of Ireland to Australia, Brittany, Peru, Louisiana and beyond. There is also the influence of White’s hometown of Austin, Texas, a rich musical crossroads in and of itself.
Along with Danny Barnes and Mark Rubin, White completed the original and definitive lineup of country/bluegrass mavericks (and recent Texas Music Hall of Fame inductees) The Bad Livers. He now performs his singular blend of ancient rural folk music and original songwriting as a soloist. Since touring extensively in North America and Europe, White has kept a prolific schedule of independent releases, “where borders are erased and music is the only language” (Insound). Most recently, his “Navasota River Devil Squirrel”, called “a fine navigation of the American mystery zone” (Volcanic Tongue) was reissued on vinyl LP by Mystra Records/Spirit of Orr. And in late 2009 the Resipiscent label issued his improv collaboration with San Francisco sound artist Hora Flora Sound System. New releases are scheduled for 2010, including a solo album with Austin indie Monofonus. White has also self-released limited edition works and is called on for various recording projects and film scores & appearances.
In addition to his solo work, White has recorded or performed with a diverse group of folk and avant-garde musicians: Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Jandek, Jack Rose, Eugene Chadbourne, Michelle Shocked, Sun City Girls’ Sir Richard Bishop, Powell St. John and Michael Hurley. He plays fiddle in traditional Cajun dance band The Gulf Coast Playboys, and, with folk singer Amy Annelle, performs in the roots country & folk duo Precious Blood.
Washboard Hank’s exploits as singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and comedic backwoods philosopher, have delighted and entertained people for over 35 years.He started as a street musician playing all over North America where he learned how to present a truly entertaining show. Late at night he would have total strangers laughing and dancing in the grimmest of urban settings. This ability to spread joy has been Hank’s constant goal.
The Stradovarious Washboard, from which he gets his name, is a musical phenomenon of the first order that he plays with breathtaking virtuosity. With wild flailing motions he carves out melodies in the most unlikely yet spectacular fashion. Hank also plays guitar, 4 & 5 string banjos and the kitchen sink tuba.
Instruments: In addition to the 4 & 5 string Banjos, Martin Guitar, Kazoo, Dobro, and Mandolin, he plays his legendary Stradovarious Washboard, a truly amazing conglomeration of bells, license plates, horns, duck calls, pots and pans. Hank kicks, dances and flails arms in a display of musical wizardry, carving out complicated melodies which leaves them rolling in the aisles.
One day driving down the highway, he saw what he thought was a tuba, an instrument he was wanting to play. Instead it was a stainless steal kitchen sink; so of course he took it home and attached it to 5 metres of spiralling PVC pipe and a tuba mouth piece; put his legs, arms and guitar in the middle, blew out a beautiful melody of how the Dinosaurs Came Back; and The Kitchen Sink Tuba became a hit with all his fans. Since its creation, Hank’s Tuba has been played on TV shows such The Elephant Show, YTV The Zone, Eric’s World, and Mr. Dressup. To avoid extra baggage he has built tubas in Belfast, Ireland, Victoria, BC, Ohio, Alberta, and now Mexico.
Hank has designed his own One Man Band with drum and cymbals which he plays simultaneously with Banjo and Kazoo (as seen on the Shining Time Station TV children’s show). This becomes a great feature leading a Parade with the kids playing homemade and improvised instruments through festival grounds.
Hank created and leads a Parade, every year at the Blue Skies Music Festival and for the Fred Eaglesmith Picnic.
Songwriting is the heart of who Hank is as an artist; and strong songwriting is the foundation of a highly entertaining show. In many instances Hank has fashioned songs for specific occasions, on request.
Recently: Hank played for the opening of the Stompin Tom Centre in Skinner’s Pond, PEI, on Canada Day 2017. He’s been The Mayor at the South Country Fair in Alberta; The Paganini of the Washboard at The Washboard Festival in Ohio; and the Host/MC at Peterborough Folk Festival, all for 3 years running.
Over the years, he has performed at virtually every type of venue imaginable, from country fairs and large exhibitions, all types of festivals, university and college events and night clubs, to national museums and galleries, schools, libraries and at corporate events. Hank is often asked back by popular demand, year after year.