Biography Wikipedia
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
Started in 2005, under the name Whitey Morgan and the Georgia Waycross 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
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
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, Mike Popovich and Benny James left the band, replaced with Travis Harrett on the drums and Brett Robinson on pedal steel guitar.
Current Line-up
As of 2012, the current line-up features Whitey Morgan on guitar/vocals, Brett Robinson on pedal steel guitar, Jeremy Mackinder on bass, Tony Dicello on drums, Benny James on guitar/backing vocals and Daniel "Danny" Robert Coburn on harmonica/backing vocals.
National Recognition
After touring with fellow Detroit area band, and Bloodshot Records recording artists, The Deadstring Brothers, Whitey Morgan and the 78's were signed to Bloodshot Records 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
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.
