The Bankesters are Looking Forward

Looking Forward - The BankestersA single has been released from Looking Forward, the upcoming album by The Bankesters.

This talented family band from Illinois has successfully navigated the most difficult hurdle facing groups of this kind: growing from a “cute kid” act to a serious collection of young adult musicians.

Of course, mom and dad are still in the picture. The band is headed by Phil and Dorene Bankester, both playing guitar, with daughters Melissa Triplett on bass, Emily Bankester on fiddle, and Alysha Bankester on mandolin. Melissa’s husband Kyle rounds out the group on banjo.

The group’s strength is in their vocals, and all of the ladies contribute on the new record. For this first single, Looking Forward To Looking Back, Emily is out front with her sisters singing harmony. It comes from writers Philip Douglas, Ron Harbin and Lisa Shaffer and, like most all of the songs the family chooses, it carries a positive, loving message.

Looking Forward To Looking Back: [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thegrasscast/looking_forward.mp3]

Looking Forward is set for a June 1 release, and Phil Bankester tells us that they have a video shoot scheduled between now and then.

“We’re hoping to shoot it May 19th. It will be for another song on the CD called Don’t Try To Be Anyone Else But You. It’s really an amazing song.

This was the most challenging, intense musical effort we’ve ever participated in and hopefully the results will speak for themselves. Once again, Stephen Mougin is a remarkable producer/coach/musician/engineer.”

We’ll be looking forward to seeing that video.

Radio programmers can download the single from Airplay Direct, and Phil said that any radio folks who don’t have an account there are welcome to email him to get a copy of the track.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.