STRINGS AND THINGS: Regional band to celebrate release of debut album
Published 5:26 pm Wednesday, December 27, 2017
- The Allen Watkins Band performs Nov. 16 at the Limestone County Event Center. From left are Bob Hall, Allen Watkins and Connie Watkins. The group's debut album will be celebrated Jan. 13 with a concert in Huntsville.
A bluegrass band familiar to Limestone Countians will celebrate the release of its latest album next month with a concert in Huntsville.
The Allen Watkins Band’s self-titled album was released this year and is available on cdbaby.com. The release concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Huntsville Strings Shop.
The band has previously appeared at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Allen Watkins has been named finger-picking guitar champion the past two years. Last month, the band played at the Limestone County Event Center, opening for Iron Horse at a benefit concert for Union Hall Music and Arts.
In addition to Allen Watkins’ awards in fingerstyle guitar, he’s also known for his banjo skills, having toured with acts such as Claire Lynch and Whetstone Run.
“We all met through music. Music drew the band together from different backgrounds, sensibilities, styles and genres,” said a press release from the band. “We are fascinated with songwriting, and this fuels our musical journey and our sound.”
About the band
Husband and wife Allen and Connie Watkins are the lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, and Bob Hall plays double bass. The band’s self-titled effort is also its debut.
Allen Watkins’ banjo stylings can be heard on “The Front Porch String Band,” recorded with Claire Lynch. He has also recorded with bluegrass greats Mark Johnson and Tony Rice. He is a frequent studio musician in the Muscle Shoals area, and his career discography includes nine albums.
North Dakota native Connie Watkins contributes songs, vocals and instrumental rhythms to the band. She plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, djembe and other percussion instruments.
Hall has also played mandolin, acoustic guitar and keyboards. He has also written some instrumental compositions for strings and woodwinds, and some compositions for double bass.
To purchase tickets for the group’s CD release party, visit bit.ly/AWBLiveattheShop. Huntsville Strings Shop is at 921 Willowbrook Drive SE, Huntsville. For more information about the group, visit www.facebook.com/AllenWatkinsBand.
