The Black Lillies w/ special guest Beste Ellis (of the Wilders) Friday, November 9 at 8 pm

Born in the rumbling cab of a stone truck and aged in the oak of Tennessee’s smoky night haunts, The Black Lillies have quickly risen to the forefront of the Americana scene. Founded by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cruz Contreras (Robinella and the CCstringband), the group honors the traditions of their Appalachian heritage while blazing new trails in the roots rock genre. Strains of old time, bluegrass, country, rock and jazz are heard throughout their music, creating a sound that is uniquely their own.

The band is one of the only independent acts to have been invited to play the Grand Ole Opry, and their debut on that venerable stage was such a success that they have since become mainstays on the show. The Black Lillies’ music has earned them the Independent Music Award for Best Album, Americana; remained for more than four months in the top 20 Americana radio charts, and held the number two spot in CMT’s Pure 12-Pack Countdown.

Hailed by critics and fans alike, the band has appeared at festivals including Bonnaroo, CMA Fan Fair and Pickathon and graced the stages of clubs and performing arts centers nationwide. Earthy and gritty, their songs speak of pain, love, revenge and revelry with such spirit that they seem to be carved out of the planks of an abandoned backwoods cabin. They haunt your thoughts long after the curtain closes, rattling through your head like a crooked screen door slaps against its frame when a storm is coming.

Ace fiddler Betse Ellis, founding member of The Wilders, dazzles her audiences worldwide with her unique approach to American traditional music.  Feisty and soulful, Ellis delivers a sincere, rousing performance.

Link: http://events.swallowhill.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1419