The Davidson Brothers are an Australian bluegrass and country music duo. Originally from Yinnar, Victoria, the brothers are Hamish and Lachlan Davidson.[1] They have written and performed together since their youth,[2] and "are multi-instrumentalists on banjo, fiddle, and mandolin and have won many awards on the country circuit".[1] They released their first album, Blue Spruce, in 1999 when they were both in their early teens. This was the beginning of what would span into numerous recordings and national awards.[3][4][5] "With their dynamic brand of classic bluegrass and more contemporary newgrass music, the pair has not only blitzed the Australian country music industry, but has attracted plenty of attention in the United States and Europe as well."[6][7][8][9][10]
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While they have toured extensively as the Davidson Brothers, they have also shared the stage with many well-known Australian artists including Andrew Farriss, Lee Kernaghan, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, Melinda Schneider, Sara Storer, Joy McKean, Anne Kirkpatrick and Hugh McDonald. They have entertained troops in the Middle East, made regular appearances on national television (Hey Hey It's Saturday, Good Morning Australia, The Panel, Spicks and Specks) and played on many recording sessions with a range of other artists (Smoky Dawson, Kevin Bloody Wilson, Joe Camilleri, Bruce Rowland).[2][10][11][12]
Since completing university the Davidson Brothers have made Bendigo, Victoria, their home[13] and split their time between music and their other interests. They were among the Top 10 Most Outstanding Musicians in the 2010 Melbourne Prize.[14] In 2011, the brothers established the Australian Youth Bluegrass Scholarship to encourage and nurture singers and musicians who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication in the field of Bluegrass Music.[15][16]
1999: Blue Spruce
Hamish and Lachlan recorded Blue Spruce with Andrew Clermont in 1998 at the Davidson family home in Yinnar Victoria. This album only has one vocal track, "Lonesome Road Blues". The album also features their younger sister Ailsa on a couple of tracks.
2004: Where I Want To Be
Where I Want To Be is a three track EP, recorded in 2004 by Hugh McDonald (formerly of the Australian group Redgum) in Melbourne, Australia. The tracks are all original and feature Melbourne musicians Gerry Pantazis on drums and James Clark on bass. The brothers went on to film a live music video for "Where I Want To Be" at the 2004 Deniliquin Ute Muster. The song was renamed "Where I Wanna Be" and rerecorded in 2006 on the Davidson Brothers' Raised on the Road album.[20][21]
2006: Raised on the Road
This is the first album the Davidson Brothers recorded overseas. It was produced by Mark Thornton (Jerry Reed band) in Nashville, Tennessee. Musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton (guitar), Randy Kohrs (dobro) and Dennis Crouch (bass). There is also a guest vocal by Travis List of South Australia.[22][23][24]
2007: Davidson Brothers
The Davidson Brothers recorded this self-titled album in Madison, Tennessee, in September 2007. This was the second album produced by Mark Thornton. This album has lots of variety, from traditional bluegrass to country to intense gypsy swing. Guest musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton (guitar), Rob Ickes (dobro), Dennis Crouch (bass), and a guest vocal by one of the pioneers of Australian bluegrass, Trev Warner, as well as vocal harmonies from Larry Marrs and Cia Cherryholmes.[25] "Left Hand Drive" won the 2009 Golden Guitar (Country Music Awards of Australia) for Best Instrumental.[26]
2009: Born to Play
The third album to be produced by Mark Thornton, 'Born to Play' was again recorded in Madison, Tennessee. However, this time around, Hamish and Lachlan set out to showcase their ability to slip comfortably in and out of different musical genres, including bluegrass, country, gypsy, swing and Celtic music. Guest musicians appearing on the album are Bryan Sutton, Randy Kohrs, Kevin Grant, Kenny Malone, The Cherryholmes family, Pat Bergeson, Jeff Taylor, Larry Marrs and Jerry Salley.[27]
2011: Here to Stay
Here To Stay was recorded in Nashville in April 2011 and release on 1 July 2011,[28] Here To Stay is the sixth studio album released by the Davidson Brothers, with producing duties shared between Mark Thornton and Larry Marrs. There are eleven original tracks, ten of them written by Hamish and Lachlan.[29]
2014: Wanderlust
Recorded in Melbourne in March 2014 and released on 20 June 2014,[30] Wanderlust is the seventh studio album released by the Davidson Brothers, this time self-produced. There are eleven original tracks, all of which are written by Hamish and Lachlan.
2017: All You Need is Music
Recorded in Nashville in December 2016 and released on 7 April 2017, All You Need is Music is the eighth studio album released by the Davidson Brothers, produced by Mark Thornton and Larry Marrs. There are thirteen tracks, twelve of which are written by Hamish and Lachlan.
