Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
Group Members: Steven Delopoulos
All Music Guide:
The alternative CCM group Burlap to Cashmere are led by the Brooklyn-based vocal/guitar duo of cousins John Philippides and Steven Delopoulus. Discovered by manager Jamison Ernest while performing in a New Jersey coffeehouse, the duo soon assembled Burlap to Cashmere, recruiting guitarist Mike Ernest, bassist Roby Guarnera, keyboardist Josh Zandman, drummer Theodore Pagano, and percussionist Scott Barksdale; drawing on a vast range of folk and world music influences, they soon began appearing at New York venues including the Bottom Line, Irving Plaza, and Tramps, and also built a national cult following on the strength of their extensive tour schedule. After independently issuing a live record in 1997, the following year Burlap to Cashmere signed with A&M to release their major-label debut, Anybody Out There? The band's sophomore self-titled album, featuring the single "Build a Wall," appeared in 2011.
Wikipedia:
Burlap to Cashmere is a contemporary Christian world music band formed in the 1990s by John Philippidis and Steven Delopoulos. Their music draws heavily on folk and world music influences, especially Greek folk music.
Background
Burlap to Cashmere was formed in the winter of 1994 by cousins John Philippidis and Steven Delopoulos. Originally a college theater show, with script and music performed by the band and actors at Marymount Manhattan college, a theater and dance college, which Delopoulos attended. He asked his then 14 year old cousin Johnny to join him in the show, and the band was formed. Later members Mike Ernest (guitar) and childhood friend Theodore Pagano (drums) followed.
In 1995 Jamison Ernest managed the band and arranged for them to play at The Bitter End on a regular basis.
In 1998 Burlap to Cashmere signed with A&M Records and released the full-length recording Anybody Out There? followed by an A&M re-release of Live at the Bitter End.
In 2004, the official website promoted "Steve and Johnny of Burlap to Cashmere" for several live performances.
In 2005, a new Burlap to Cashmere demo album was recorded. The demo was never released. While returning home from the studio, John Philippidis was nearly beaten to death in an altercation that took place subsequent to a minor motor vehicle accident.
In 2007, Burlap to Cashmere was billed on tour dates for Jars of Clay and NEEDTOBREATHE, with Delopoulos and Philippidis performing an acoustic set as a duo. The two have since reunited with original drummer Theodore Pagano. The band continues to tour and have written and performed new music, with plans to release a new album. Burlap to Cashmere signed a deal with Sony Music Entertainment and are recording the album with producer Mitchell Froom.
On July 19, 2011, Burlap to Cashmere released their first full-length album in 13 years, the self-titled Burlap to Cashmere.
Solo work
In 2003, Delopoulos released the solo album Me Died Blue, and subsequently 1000 copies of a live recording titled Live at the Bluebird, released exclusively at tour shows. Delopoulos released a second solo album in the fall of 2007.
Philippidis (under the name "Johnny Philipps") has toured with band Tamarama as well as recording countless sessions including T.V. and film work.
