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All Music Guide:
Although he resides in the automotive capital of Flint, MI, vocalist/guitarist Whitey Morgan (real name Eric Allen) is a country boy through and through -- and one particularly beholden to Waylon Jennings and his fellow outlaw country posse, David Allan Coe, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, as well as country traditionalists Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. In 2005, Morgan began assembling a group of sympathetic Motor City musicians to become his 78's, these being guitarists Jeremy "Leroy" Biltz and Benny James, bassist Jeremy Mackinder, and drummer Mike "Pops" Popovich. After making a name for themselves in the local clubs, Whitey Morgan & the 78's connected with Detroit's own typically hard rock-oriented Small Stone Records to cut their debut album, Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels, with crucial assistance coming from pedal steel session player Fred Newell. Morgan and company underwent some personnel changes when Biltz left and fiddle player Tamineh Gueramy joined. They signed with Chicago's Bloodshot Records in 2009; their first album for the imprint, a self-titled affair, was issued in October of 2010. Along with the band, the effort included guest appearances by Larry Campbell, Drew Howard, and Pete Ballard on pedal steel, and Mike Lynch on accordion and piano. The album's release was followed by a national headlining tour.
Wikipedia:
Whitey Morgan and the 78's are honky tonk country band based in Flint, MI. In 2010 they signed a recording contract with Chicago based Bloodshot Records.
Formation and Early History [edit]
Started in 2005, under the name Whitey Morgan and the Waycross Georgia Farmboys, the original members included Whitey Morgan (a.k.a. Eric Allen), formerly of Dixie Hustler, on Vocals and Guitar; Jeremy Mackinder, formerly of South Normal, on bass; and Dylan Dunbar and Jack Schneider, formerly of Long Black Sedan, on guitar and drums respectively. After establishing themselves in the Midwest Honky Tonk scene, the band recorded a self-produced EP which includes early versions of "Goodbye Dixie," "Prove It All To You," and "If It Ain't Broke." The band soon signed a deal with Detroit's own Small Stone Recordings and went back into the studio to record a cover version of Van Halen's "Runnin' with the Devil" for the label's Sucking in the 70's compilation.
Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels [edit]
In 2007 the band changed its line-up to Whitey Morgan on Vocals and Guitar, Benny James Vermeylen on Guitar and vocals - formerly of 3 Speed and South Normal, Jeremy "Leroy" Biltz on Guitar, Jeremy Mackinder on bass, and Mike Popovich - formerly of The Holy Cows, 3 Speed, and The OffRamps, on drums and officially becomes Whitey Morgan and the 78's. In 2008 the band released its debut album Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels on Small Stone Recordings.
Whitey Morgan and the 78's [edit]
In 2009 the band saw the addition of Tamineh Gueramy on Fiddle. The band then headed to Woodstock, NY in the fall of 2009 to begin recording the follow-up to Honky Tonks... at the Grammy Award winning Levon Helm Studios. With almost 200 shows a year and the new album nearing completion the band drew the attention of Chicago's Bloodshot Records and signed a new record contract. The self-titled album was released on October 12, 2010. Ahead of the record's release, both Benny James and Mike Popovich left the band, replaced by Travis Harrett on the drums and Brett Robinson joined on pedal steel guitar. In April 2012, Jeremy Mackinder was replaced by Joey Spina on bass.
Current Line-up [edit]
As of 2012, the current line-up features Whitey Morgan on guitar/vocals, Brett Robinson on pedal steel guitar, Joey Spina on bass, Mike Lynch on Keyboards, and Tony Dicello on drums.
National Recognition [edit]
After touring with fellow Detroit area band The Deadstring Brothers and Wayne "the Train" Hancock, both Bloodshot Records recording artists, Whitey Morgan and the 78's were signed to Bloodshot in the spring of 2010.
On 16 October 2010, the band performed on NPR's Mountain Stage. They played a four song, fifteen minute set. The episode also featured Scott Miller, Abigale Washburn, Gene Watson, and The Steel Drivers.
Awards [edit]
In 2009, after the release of their first studio album, the band was awarded three Detroit Music Awards: Best Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Songwriter, Best Country Album.
In 2010, after the release of the self titled album "Whitey Morgan and the 78's", the band was awarded Best Country Recording.
