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| Dark Hollow Band |
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One day in September, 1999, on the front porch of a house on Dark Hollow Road in East Tennessee, with a bucket and two sticks from the front yard, Gene Beffre
sat down and banged out a beat as Randall Wilkerson played and sang his songs. Dark Hollow Band evolved from that simple moment. In 2000, John Gillespie came
along and sweetened the sound with his flute and squeezebox. Later that same year the inimitable Rod Erwin brought his ingeniously subtle, yet powerful bass into
the mix. Next came Dave Patterson who would expand and warp the sound with his screaming electric guitar. One by one, as if by design, each member would appear
and bring their own unique fingerprint to the mix. At one point they had up to eleven band members! The end result would be an eclectic mix of everything from gospel
to folk to blues to country to screamin' rock n' roll.
For six years Randall and the band played every kind of venue they could book, including radio broadcasts, festivals, bars, private parties, weddings, numerous
benefits, and even funerals. In 2006 Rod Erwin left the band as a regular, but still jams with them occasionally. Gary Coleman, a multi-instrumentalist, from Oak Ridge,
TN, took over duties as bassist for more than a year. Dave Patterson left the band early in 2007 and Eddie King joined the band for a while, being instrumental in the
formation of the 2009 CD, "Real Monsters Look Like Men." While practicing at Eddie's, Randall met Jamey Oran, a bassist who played for 12 years with Tommy
Santelli, a local and regional performer of some note. Randall was looking for a different sound for the new CD when he met Tom Bates and Chris Voorhees while
jamming with friends in Oak Ridge, TN. After hearing Tom's easy-going style on the dobro mixing with the smooooth guitar licks of Voorhees, Randall knew he had
found what he needed for the new CD. Their fans call it "Folk & Roll." Whatever you call it -- Dark Hollow Band is --soulful ballads, stirring melodies, and a truly
unique sound that must be experienced to be appreciated!
Influences:
Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Wayne Wilkerson, Neil Young, Pete Seeger, Woodie Guthrie, Bob Marley, Jackson Browne, Ricky Nelson, Paul T. Weaver,
John Prine, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, The Temptations, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Hank Williams, Merle
Haggard, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Grayson Hugh . . .
When he was a child they said he was touched in the head; but the wisdom hidden discreetly within the lyrics written by Randall Kent Wilkerson prove otherwise.
Born July 16, 1958, he was raised in the hills of East Tennessee and grew up living experiences that most people only read about. Through his travels and trials
of life come music and lyrics that grip the heart of young and old.
"Seems Like It Is (But It Ain't)" could not be a simpler melody, yet it has the most compelling lyrics --" The world's like a dream where things ain't what they seem/the
colors and numbers get jumbled/'till the birds in the trees are all singin' off key/and the voice in your heart only mumbles."
Every song is a little story of life as seen through Randall's heart. His music has all of the hope, love, pride, forgiveness and guilt that we experience as humans,
but also offers humor in the everyday world -- "and it said on the city limit sign/if you've lost your mind/then, welcome home" (Three Cheers for Loneliness).
As a self taught musician/artist, he has developed his own style that crosses the borders into all genres of music. Many of his songs are still being sung in local area
churches. People will walk up and just hug his neck and tell him which song they like best (he's written around 300). His fan base seems to be just about all types of
people.
"Hell's a good place, when Heaven is burning." Often the words challenge the listener to consider their own mortality and existence in this crazy world and then will
turn around and make light of it.
Simply put, Randall Wilkerson has put life to music; and the message is . . . Love.
- Michelle Beffre
sat down and banged out a beat as Randall Wilkerson played and sang his songs. Dark Hollow Band evolved from that simple moment. In 2000, John Gillespie came
along and sweetened the sound with his flute and squeezebox. Later that same year the inimitable Rod Erwin brought his ingeniously subtle, yet powerful bass into
the mix. Next came Dave Patterson who would expand and warp the sound with his screaming electric guitar. One by one, as if by design, each member would appear
and bring their own unique fingerprint to the mix. At one point they had up to eleven band members! The end result would be an eclectic mix of everything from gospel
to folk to blues to country to screamin' rock n' roll.
For six years Randall and the band played every kind of venue they could book, including radio broadcasts, festivals, bars, private parties, weddings, numerous
benefits, and even funerals. In 2006 Rod Erwin left the band as a regular, but still jams with them occasionally. Gary Coleman, a multi-instrumentalist, from Oak Ridge,
TN, took over duties as bassist for more than a year. Dave Patterson left the band early in 2007 and Eddie King joined the band for a while, being instrumental in the
formation of the 2009 CD, "Real Monsters Look Like Men." While practicing at Eddie's, Randall met Jamey Oran, a bassist who played for 12 years with Tommy
Santelli, a local and regional performer of some note. Randall was looking for a different sound for the new CD when he met Tom Bates and Chris Voorhees while
jamming with friends in Oak Ridge, TN. After hearing Tom's easy-going style on the dobro mixing with the smooooth guitar licks of Voorhees, Randall knew he had
found what he needed for the new CD. Their fans call it "Folk & Roll." Whatever you call it -- Dark Hollow Band is --soulful ballads, stirring melodies, and a truly
unique sound that must be experienced to be appreciated!
Influences:
Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Wayne Wilkerson, Neil Young, Pete Seeger, Woodie Guthrie, Bob Marley, Jackson Browne, Ricky Nelson, Paul T. Weaver,
John Prine, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, The Temptations, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Hank Williams, Merle
Haggard, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Grayson Hugh . . .
When he was a child they said he was touched in the head; but the wisdom hidden discreetly within the lyrics written by Randall Kent Wilkerson prove otherwise.
Born July 16, 1958, he was raised in the hills of East Tennessee and grew up living experiences that most people only read about. Through his travels and trials
of life come music and lyrics that grip the heart of young and old.
"Seems Like It Is (But It Ain't)" could not be a simpler melody, yet it has the most compelling lyrics --" The world's like a dream where things ain't what they seem/the
colors and numbers get jumbled/'till the birds in the trees are all singin' off key/and the voice in your heart only mumbles."
Every song is a little story of life as seen through Randall's heart. His music has all of the hope, love, pride, forgiveness and guilt that we experience as humans,
but also offers humor in the everyday world -- "and it said on the city limit sign/if you've lost your mind/then, welcome home" (Three Cheers for Loneliness).
As a self taught musician/artist, he has developed his own style that crosses the borders into all genres of music. Many of his songs are still being sung in local area
churches. People will walk up and just hug his neck and tell him which song they like best (he's written around 300). His fan base seems to be just about all types of
people.
"Hell's a good place, when Heaven is burning." Often the words challenge the listener to consider their own mortality and existence in this crazy world and then will
turn around and make light of it.
Simply put, Randall Wilkerson has put life to music; and the message is . . . Love.
- Michelle Beffre
| Instrumentation Randall Kent Wilkerson - Lead Vocals, harmonica, Acoustic Guitar John Gillespie - Squeeze Box, flute, bongos, assorted noises Jamey Oran - Bass, Back Up Vocal Chris Voorhees - Banjo, Acoustic Guitar Tom Bates - mandoline, Dobro Terry "Teeps" Phillips - Electric and acoustic lead guitars Todd Mierzwa - Percussion Amy Dale - Harmony Vocals Discography American Dream - 10 songs Folk & Roll - 12 songs Children Of The Fire - 13 songs Same Planet Different Worlds - 11 songs Real Monsters Look Like Men - 12 songs - released June, 2009 |
A Review From Gary Allen
Dark Hollow Band may be the best blend of rock and folk that you never heard of. Fans of Dark Hollow, who are called "Hollow Heads" call their unusual brand of
southern style music "Folk & Roll". After several days of listening to DHB. it quickly became clear that this nine piece band from Oak Ridge Tennessee, have an
undeniable musical chemistry. Their music at times remind me of my friend Tony Joe White and his swampy, soulful catchy riffs. I particularly enjoy music that is funky
and borders on needing a fiddle but it never happens. My mom never told me until after I quit the Charlie Daniels band that she never liked the sound of a fiddle, and
said it sounded like a rocking chair on a cat's tail. I prefer the sound of John Gillespie's flute and always thought Jerry Eubank's flute and sax is what gave Marshall
Tucker Band a different sound than the rest of us southern rockers.
Dark Hollow Band is the brainchild of Randall Kent Wilkerson, who contributes the original material and is chief cook and bottle washer for this sometimes quirky but
always clever and interesting collection of tunes and humans. It's dark, it's light and it is wonderfully and mysteriously genre defying. I would call it toe tapping and just
plain fun to listen too. They cover a lot of bases from Americana to rootsy blues in the span of five critically acclaimed albums. I call them albums. Sue me for having
longevity
I love the heady blend of otherwordly feels with this worldly passion. I am a sucker for melodies and vocals and they are in like Flint on both counts. After positive
reviews and a solid reputation of performing for charitable causes this southern soul stew of characters are currently working on their next project. DHB bring to folk
and rock fusion the same historic respect that artists like Gillian Welch bring to the traditional Appalachian music. They lean toward country at times and use mandolin
and a harmonica in the same tasty way John Lennon used it in the early days of the Fab Four.
Dark Hollow Band moves from mellow to funky and the numbers are never busy but leanly crafted with the vocals out front of the arrangements unlike my work with
the reluctant legend, JJ Cale. Cale hides the vocals like Easter eggs and makes you find them. Fans of this band will no doubt be willing to meet them more than
halfway because they will earn it. They should try Nashville on for size soon. The size is extra crowded but cream rises to the top. Congratulations on ranking so high
in my Sonicbids competition. I'm a fan and look forward to the new collection of original tunes.
-Gary Allen (JJ Cale/The Charlie Daniels Band)
Dark Hollow Band may be the best blend of rock and folk that you never heard of. Fans of Dark Hollow, who are called "Hollow Heads" call their unusual brand of
southern style music "Folk & Roll". After several days of listening to DHB. it quickly became clear that this nine piece band from Oak Ridge Tennessee, have an
undeniable musical chemistry. Their music at times remind me of my friend Tony Joe White and his swampy, soulful catchy riffs. I particularly enjoy music that is funky
and borders on needing a fiddle but it never happens. My mom never told me until after I quit the Charlie Daniels band that she never liked the sound of a fiddle, and
said it sounded like a rocking chair on a cat's tail. I prefer the sound of John Gillespie's flute and always thought Jerry Eubank's flute and sax is what gave Marshall
Tucker Band a different sound than the rest of us southern rockers.
Dark Hollow Band is the brainchild of Randall Kent Wilkerson, who contributes the original material and is chief cook and bottle washer for this sometimes quirky but
always clever and interesting collection of tunes and humans. It's dark, it's light and it is wonderfully and mysteriously genre defying. I would call it toe tapping and just
plain fun to listen too. They cover a lot of bases from Americana to rootsy blues in the span of five critically acclaimed albums. I call them albums. Sue me for having
longevity
I love the heady blend of otherwordly feels with this worldly passion. I am a sucker for melodies and vocals and they are in like Flint on both counts. After positive
reviews and a solid reputation of performing for charitable causes this southern soul stew of characters are currently working on their next project. DHB bring to folk
and rock fusion the same historic respect that artists like Gillian Welch bring to the traditional Appalachian music. They lean toward country at times and use mandolin
and a harmonica in the same tasty way John Lennon used it in the early days of the Fab Four.
Dark Hollow Band moves from mellow to funky and the numbers are never busy but leanly crafted with the vocals out front of the arrangements unlike my work with
the reluctant legend, JJ Cale. Cale hides the vocals like Easter eggs and makes you find them. Fans of this band will no doubt be willing to meet them more than
halfway because they will earn it. They should try Nashville on for size soon. The size is extra crowded but cream rises to the top. Congratulations on ranking so high
in my Sonicbids competition. I'm a fan and look forward to the new collection of original tunes.
-Gary Allen (JJ Cale/The Charlie Daniels Band)
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Dark Hollow Reviews From Planet Earth
A group whose musical style has been described as electric bluegrass, acoustic rock, americana, and my personal favorite, folk and roll. I have listened to their CD,
and their style is reminiscent of sixty's folk and rock and roll, the descriptions fit. Bluesy guitar riffs, mandolin, flute and the whine of the occasional harmonica chord
blend with the vocal talents of Wilkerson.
Sandra Van Winkle - Fountain City Focus
There's something about the music made by Dark Hollow Band that folks find irresistible. Even if they are wallflowers, even if they're stuck with two left feet, they find
themselves getting up and grooving to the country-soul shuffles the band makes wherever it plays.
Steve Wildsmith - The Daily Times
When the inspirational spirts of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jimmy Buffet, Creed, Willie Nelson and The Monkeys met with the soul of country music a new
Knoxville Band was formed - Dark Hollow Band.
Just when you think you've figured out their style, they sing another song that surprises you. While inspired by other musicians, they are not quite like anyone else.
Becky Blanton - The Knoxville Journal
Dark Hollow Band rocks on . . .
Wayne Bledsoe - Knoxville News Sentinal
How 'bout that Dark Hollow Band- a little blues, a little rock, a little folk - a little bit of everything.
John Hill - Anderson County Gossip
Something moved inside me
Guitars sound nice and the melody is enjoyable. The background instrument (harmonica?) fitted the musical theme excellently. You sing like an old man with years of
experience. The words are well sung.
First verse was so full of clichés that I almost stopped listening. I sure am glad I didn't because the song really begins at the second verse and the third verse already
brought tears to my eyes. And getting to the end I realized what the first verse could've meant ... so the gamble paid off eventually for the benefit of the song.
Reviewed by: jimbow4 from Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland
- garageband.com review (Sep 14, 2008)
Very listenable
Good sound, a quality vocal sits in front a of a nice simple accompaniment. Very listenable indeed, I love the hook, poor white trash like me, I get the feeling this guy
may have lived the life. thanks for the listen.
- gerrybhoy - Edinburgh, Scotland, August 7th, 2008
- garageband.com review for "Weight of the World" (Aug 19, 2008)
Gentle and True
Very nice, slow and deliberate. Wise words simple and strong. I've been listening to lots of rock and this is like coming home, back to the root of things. Lovely lyrics. I
could listen to this again and again. 'People in love are crazy, lazy welfare, nice lyrics and well mixed up for the second verse. I like it. Love the guitar which is
recorded well and the minimalist backing from the harmonica?
Reviewed by: Tony Peek from Hastings, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Nice
It’s simple and plain and the lyrics are . . . not. Its feels like you are taking good care of the old traditional storytelling music. It takes a special skill to tell a story this
way and get the listener to “hook”, so that he or she just cant stop listening until the last tone rings out. You got that skill! Its great! Thanks!
Reviewed by: GregorJ from Uppsala, Sweden
- garageband.com reviews for "Weight of the World" (May 21, 2008)
Very classic folk
I am not much of a folk listener. But this song has some deep vocals about working in coal mines, a very folk-Appalachian theme. The lyrics can be heard very easily
with these clean vocals and the listener can really pick up the feeling in the lyrics about the hardships for lower income groups, but with a mild conservative element
calling people on "welfare crazy", but simultaneously stating that "insane people are free". The difference between the crazy and the insane is never shown, but it
could imply that being attached to the government is a form of insanity and insanity is the only way to be free. Honestly, only the artist knows, and songs stay better
when we all keep thinking.
- mattiajbllitz - garageband.com review for "Weight of the World" (Aug 18, 2008)
A group whose musical style has been described as electric bluegrass, acoustic rock, americana, and my personal favorite, folk and roll. I have listened to their CD,
and their style is reminiscent of sixty's folk and rock and roll, the descriptions fit. Bluesy guitar riffs, mandolin, flute and the whine of the occasional harmonica chord
blend with the vocal talents of Wilkerson.
Sandra Van Winkle - Fountain City Focus
There's something about the music made by Dark Hollow Band that folks find irresistible. Even if they are wallflowers, even if they're stuck with two left feet, they find
themselves getting up and grooving to the country-soul shuffles the band makes wherever it plays.
Steve Wildsmith - The Daily Times
When the inspirational spirts of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jimmy Buffet, Creed, Willie Nelson and The Monkeys met with the soul of country music a new
Knoxville Band was formed - Dark Hollow Band.
Just when you think you've figured out their style, they sing another song that surprises you. While inspired by other musicians, they are not quite like anyone else.
Becky Blanton - The Knoxville Journal
Dark Hollow Band rocks on . . .
Wayne Bledsoe - Knoxville News Sentinal
How 'bout that Dark Hollow Band- a little blues, a little rock, a little folk - a little bit of everything.
John Hill - Anderson County Gossip
Something moved inside me
Guitars sound nice and the melody is enjoyable. The background instrument (harmonica?) fitted the musical theme excellently. You sing like an old man with years of
experience. The words are well sung.
First verse was so full of clichés that I almost stopped listening. I sure am glad I didn't because the song really begins at the second verse and the third verse already
brought tears to my eyes. And getting to the end I realized what the first verse could've meant ... so the gamble paid off eventually for the benefit of the song.
Reviewed by: jimbow4 from Lohja, Uusimaa, Finland
- garageband.com review (Sep 14, 2008)
Very listenable
Good sound, a quality vocal sits in front a of a nice simple accompaniment. Very listenable indeed, I love the hook, poor white trash like me, I get the feeling this guy
may have lived the life. thanks for the listen.
- gerrybhoy - Edinburgh, Scotland, August 7th, 2008
- garageband.com review for "Weight of the World" (Aug 19, 2008)
Gentle and True
Very nice, slow and deliberate. Wise words simple and strong. I've been listening to lots of rock and this is like coming home, back to the root of things. Lovely lyrics. I
could listen to this again and again. 'People in love are crazy, lazy welfare, nice lyrics and well mixed up for the second verse. I like it. Love the guitar which is
recorded well and the minimalist backing from the harmonica?
Reviewed by: Tony Peek from Hastings, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Nice
It’s simple and plain and the lyrics are . . . not. Its feels like you are taking good care of the old traditional storytelling music. It takes a special skill to tell a story this
way and get the listener to “hook”, so that he or she just cant stop listening until the last tone rings out. You got that skill! Its great! Thanks!
Reviewed by: GregorJ from Uppsala, Sweden
- garageband.com reviews for "Weight of the World" (May 21, 2008)
Very classic folk
I am not much of a folk listener. But this song has some deep vocals about working in coal mines, a very folk-Appalachian theme. The lyrics can be heard very easily
with these clean vocals and the listener can really pick up the feeling in the lyrics about the hardships for lower income groups, but with a mild conservative element
calling people on "welfare crazy", but simultaneously stating that "insane people are free". The difference between the crazy and the insane is never shown, but it
could imply that being attached to the government is a form of insanity and insanity is the only way to be free. Honestly, only the artist knows, and songs stay better
when we all keep thinking.
- mattiajbllitz - garageband.com review for "Weight of the World" (Aug 18, 2008)
| Makin Pizza Dark Hollow Band Written by: Randall Wilkerson Work all day and work all night Makin Pizza for you Just like Samson with the mill wheel blues Walkin' round with a stone in my shoe Don't talk back to me I know who you are I deliver pizza to your house in my car Don't forget about me I make you Pizza I been everywhere around the world Playin my guitar for you Just like a pizza man with a stone in his shoe You know all a man needs is his due Wait a minute boys this one still alive Hurry up and kill it before it dies Don't forget about me I'm makin pizza I'm makin pizza Makin' pizza |
| Dark Hollow Band Biography |
| RED FLAG! WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH NASHVILLE DRUMMER GARY ALLEN OR HIS PROMOTIONS |
| Tennessee Concerts Song Contest |
