The Zuzu Welsh Band
The Zuzu Welsh Band is a high-energy band specializing in classic, southern and blues rock, blending your favorites with originals principally penned by the band's namesake, Zuzu Welsh. With two CDs and over 400 shows under our belts since our first appearance at Brevard College's 2014 homecoming celebration, we are a tight, seasoned unit guaranteed to please for any events.
Over these past four years the band has appeared in Nashville, Knoxville, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Bristol, Florence SC and even as far away as Lakeland FL and has shared the stage with acts as diverse as MindShapeFist, The Kimberly White Project, Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats, The Travers Brothership, Jimmy Landry, Terry Phillips, Pam Taylor, Ashley Heath, The Cliff Wheeler Band, The Dround Hounds, Paper Crowns, Riyen Roots, and Grammy winners Janiva Magness and Grady Champion, and many more.
Zuzu Welsh has been playing guitar since the 1970s, performing in a variety of bands doing everything from traditional mountain music to alternative rock and roll. Influenced by everyone from Eric Clapton and George Harrison to Vince Gill and John Prine, his style is all his own.
Johnny Haisman plays bass from a background in hardcore metal music. In addition to playing with the Zuzu Welsh Band, Johnny is guitarist with Asheville-area band My Blue Hoodie.
Mat Sigmon Mat has been a musician most of his life, growing up in a musician family. Berklee-educated, he is proficient on multiple instruments, and while he started out with us on drums, a recent line-up change moved him to guitar and vocals with the band.
Jackie Blackburn has been playing drums for a number of years, and played with Mat and Zuzu in Saturday In The Park. Jackie's drumming, locked in with Johnny's bass playing, are the foundation upon which all the music is built. Together, the band brings a tight solid sound to the stage with a keen ear towards adjusting to what the audience is enjoying, while presenting the mixture of cover and original material. With top-notch musicianship, well-crafted originals and a collection of cover tunes you are sure to enjoy, the band’s primary goal is for the audience to have a great time.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.reverbnation.com/zuzuwelsh
http://www.facebook.com/zuzuwelsh
http://www.twitter.com/zuzuwelsh
Reviews
"...innocent and vulnerable..."
"Hey man. Finally got the chance to sit down and listen to the cd the other day. I really dig it. I love how personal the songs are, and how you can't place this cd in any one genre of music. It's very innocent and vulnerable, but in a way that says it's that way because that's how you want it. You can really tell it in the harmonies especially. Good job man. Something to be proud of." - Mat Sigmon, Berklee School of Music
About Us
“A beautiful CD of rock blues folk with insightful lyrics and great arrangements. You should be on Austin City Limits my friend. The entire CD kicks ass”- Sinn McTavish, Online Review (Nov 19, 2014)
“Damn you Zuzu for being so catchy! "My past is just the past...." This album has something to help anyone and everyone 'Embrace Life' ! Thank you Zuzu Welsh Band”- The Geezer, Artist International Independent Radio (Nov 16, 2014)
"Belly Of The Beast"
"That guitar playing would make Eric Clapton proud, somewhere he is giving two thumbs up right now" - Ray Brown, Ashevillefm.org
Fault Line
Fault Line is the debut release from Asheville's own Zuzu Welsh Band. This band can rock it out, folks! Zuzu Welsh does the writing, but the real star here is the musical collective of these fine musicians. They have two of the most gifted lead guitarists in western North Carolina. Zuzu's playing is rooted in the blues and plays with a passion much like Eric Clapton. Abbot Grivich compliments Zuzu perfectly with workman like precision and a southern rock feel. Vocalist Bobby Hicks brings energy and grit to the sound. The rhythm section of Dana Koone on percussion and Johnny Haisman on bass fill out and drive the rocking beat of the band. If you like your rock served with Carolina cooking and a dash of blues , then you need to give this cd a listen. The Zuzu Welsh Band deserves to be heard! -
The Blueshound, Asheville Free Media WSLM-FM 103.3 Asheville. May 13, 2016
Comments from a fan
Dammit son!! I'm officially dubbing you as the the East Tn King Of Blues!
If you need to hone your air guitar skills, THIS is the album. I don't play air guitar a lot when listening to music (okay, more than I'd like to admit), but found myself doing it to every song on this album. Yes, the lyrics are good, and the vocals fit them, but it's the guitar that really stands out. "Yeah, those other instruments are okay, but check ME out!" I challenge you to listen to this album and not find yourself in air guitar mode. You just can't do it.
"There's a fault line running through me,
It's like I'm trapped inside of a dream..."
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