18 South – Bio Rev. summer 2012
18 South's music is created by a wide array ofinfluences. The organic and earthy quality of their sound rings with overtones of Blues, Bluegrass, Jazz and Gospel. It lends itself perfectly to their stripped down acoustic approach that is truly "Americana". The Band member résumé’s read like an Encyclopedia of Musical History and once you see them live, you'll know why they are individually some the most well respected musicians on the scene today.
Larry Atamanuik [Drums] and Mike Bub [Doghouse Bass] hold down a deep and unmovable groove behind Jimmy Wallace's rich vocals and slamming New Orleans Style Piano that in turn gives Guthrie Trapp the opportunity to freely express his fluid and versatile guitar style. With Jon Randall's mournful tenor vocals and solid guitar playing, the band provides a perfect venue for Jessi Alexander to nail the audience to the wall with her smoky heart wrenching vocals
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18 South was born in the dining room of a house on the quiet Nashville Street, 18th
Avenue South. The band is the coming together of six musicians whose one common
desire is to create a band defined by nothing other than its music. 18 South's music
reflects the divergent musicianship and experiences of its individual members.
Texas native Jon Randall Stewart got his start playing bluegrass around the Dallas
area. Having moved to Nashville over 20 years ago, he has become one of Music City's
top session players, singers and producers. A Grammy and CMA award winner, Jon's
career has run the gamut of touring the world with Emmylou Harris and Sam Bush, to
releasing several major label albums, to writing the smash hit 'Whiskey Lullaby' with
Grand Ole Opry legend and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Bill Anderson. In 18
South, Jon brings all of his talents to the front: his pure tenor lead and harmony voice,
distinctive acoustic guitar and mandolin playing and his songwriting.
Jessi Alexander was raised in Jackson, Tennessee. The argument could be made that
Jackson lies at the crossroads of American Roots music and her style represents the
best of Memphis and Nashville. Jessi made the country charts with the critically
acclaimed Sony/BMG album, 'Honeysuckle Sweet'. Additionally, she has become an in
demand studio vocalist and songwriter. Her song 'The Climb', co-written with John Mabe
and recorded by Miley Cyrus, had a run of 15 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Pop Chart.
Jessi brings to 18 South not only great songs but also delivers them with a voice, as one
might imagine, country, bluesy and drenched in southern soul.
Keyboardist Jimmy Wallace is a road veteran as well as an ace studio player. He is
equally at home on Piano and B-3 Organ. Jimmyʼs playing is a definite reflection of his
Louisiana roots. Additionally, Jimmy is a soulful vocalist and songwriter. 18 South
performs several of his compositions including one from a series of songs he is currently
writing based on the characters of the Peanuts comic strip and animations.
Guthrie Trapp came to Nashville from the Gulf Coast. With the ability to play many
different acoustic and electric styles, he is at ease in any genre of music. Guthrie is one
of the most in demand guitarists in Nashville. From Bluegrass to Blues, Rock, Jazz and
Country, Guthrieʼs playing covers it all. The last few years have seen Guthrie performing
with Patty Loveless on her ʻMountain Soul IIʼ tour as well as the challenging dynamics and
genre bending sounds of the Jerry Douglas Band.
Larry Atamanuikis the official groove master of 18 South. Cutting his teeth in the
Toronto club scene as a teen, Larry first reached the national spotlight as a member of
the seminal rock band Seatrain. A drummer sensitive to the dynamics of acoustic
instruments, Larry has been the first-call for many Nashville artists including Emmylou
Harris, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss and Union Station and the Alison Brown Quintet.
Bassist Mike Bub is a 20-year veteran of the music scene in Nashville. In addition to
spending 13 years with the Grammy award winning Del McCoury Band, Mike has had the
opportunity to work and record with many of bluegrass musicʼs first generation artists.
The past few years have seen Mike stretching his boundaries on the upright bass touring
with Vince Gill, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Tim OʼBrien, Shawn Camp and Danny Barnes