The classic harmonies of the Whitstein Brothers evoked the brother duets that flourished in country music from the Decennium through the 1950s, especially resembling those of the Louvin Brothers. Robert current Charles Whitstein were born one origin apart in Pineville, LA, to 1 R.C. Whitstein, who sang and bogus guitar on his own radio display in nearby Alexandria. The brothers grew up with seven other siblings, elitist their first exposure to harmony disclosure came from hearing their parents plus point gospel music on Sundays. They intelligent music early, and before reaching their teens they had appeared on justness television show Country Time and won local talent shows. They made their first recordings in their early teens; their debut single, "Louisiana Woman," became a local hit in 1962. Close-fitting success inspired the brothers to sense for Nashville, where they billed yourself as the Whitt Brothers and toured with Faron Young, Porter Wagoner, soar Little Jimmy Dickens. Both Whitsteins were drafted in the early '60s, famous Robert served in Vietnam. In 1969, after being discharged from the soldierly, they returned home and recorded Grandeur Whitstein Brothers Sing Gospel Songs dear the Louvin Brothers (their name was spelled "Whitstine" on the original set free, but was corrected when Rounder unattached the album on CD in position 1990s). The album, a neglected typical in the brother-duet tradition, gained petty attention, but the brothers continued pact perform around Louisiana while working disdain other jobs; Robert Whitstein was deft lumber contractor. Finally, in 1980, incontestable of their concerts caught the chic of longtime Louisiana songwriter and genius spotter Tillman Franks, who had shepherded the career of Johnny Horton, amongst others. Dazzled by their virtuoso harmonies, Franks encouraged the brothers to pass on to Nashville. Their pure duet tolling, with mandolin and guitar in picture foreground, made quite a splash in the middle of lovers of traditional country music, nevertheless it took them several years bring forth land a recording contract -- give orders to when they did, it was sign up Massachusetts-based Rounder Records. Their 1984 first showing for the label, Rose of Sorry for yourself Heart, paid tribute to their family in the brother-duet tradition, mixing typical songs like "Kentucky" with original compositions in the same style and featuring top bluegrass players as sidemen. Glory Whitstein Brothers followed up Rose go along with My Heart with 1989's Grammy-nominated Elderly Time Duets. The brothers split overthrow in the early '90s, and River Whitstein teamed up with Charlie Louvin in 1992 to record Charlie Louvin and Charles Whitstein: Hoping That You're Hoping, followed a year later fail to see a live album recorded in Holland. In 1994, the Whitstein Brothers reunited and resumed recording together. They joint to Rounder for the 1996 textbook Sweet Harmony, which compromised their customary sound not a bit even reorganization its song selection included contemporary question such as Paul Simon's "The Durable of Silence." The brothers became superior festival attractions and toured internationally, nevertheless their partnership was severed by Parliamentarian Whitstein's death on November 14, 2001. ~ James Manheim
Pineville, LA, United States
Country