Just after I posted info about the return of the Shankman Twins, a message came in from Phil Bankester, patriarch of the singing Bankester Family.
The piece about Dana and Lauren Shankman spoke of how they have returned to playing music after taking a break when their youngsters were born, and Phil’s message included a photo that touched on that same theme.
Phil manages a band that includes his wife and four daughters, the eldest of whom is now married with a infant son. In true family band style, Melissa is married to their banjo player, Kyle Triplett. Papa Bankester shared a story that goes with the picture:
“During a recent show in central Illinois, Jude (Melissa and Kyle’s baby) got fussy with the babysitter during the first set. So Melissa just strapped him on her back during the break.
He fell asleep after the first song and stayed there for the rest of the show.”
It occurred to me that in a day when more and more young women are performing bluegrass music, there must be dozens of such photos that demonstrate the epitome of a Bluegrass Mom. If you have a picture you would share that fits this theme, please contact us. We’ll post the best ones we get.
Phil also mentioned that they have just made arrangements for Robert Bowlin, noted multi-instrumentalist and former Blue Grass Boy, to produce the band’s next CD.
“Robert moved up here to Illinois from Nashville a few years ago and has become a good friend. He has agreed to produced our new CD and is working on arrangements now. Last week he completely transformed I Am the Man, Thomas based on what we were doing with it, but now it’s unlike any version of the song that’s been recorded. He is brilliant!”
No word yet on when that CD might be released.
