The Boxcar Bandits

About The Boxcar Bandits
No Comments » May 12th, 2009

Ruffians and Ne’er-do-wells all, with our powers combined we form the

BOXCAR BANDITS:

RYAN LOUIS WILLIAMS (Doghouse bass, guitar, vocals)

Ryan beer

Ryan Louis Williams was born in 1977 at a naval hospital in Oakland, CA to christian mother Doretta Ann and naval officer father John Benny. From there he was taken to a naval base in Hawaii for two years, Corpus Cristi, TX for three and then Grapevine, TX for twelve. He then moved to Denton and got a life. The life he chose for himself was one of poverty and music. The music perpetuates his poverty and the poverty in turn inspires his music. He mostly plays basses but keeps an open mind.

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GRADY DON SANDLIN (Percussion, Guitar, Engineer, Vocals)

Grady Don Sandlin was born on April 24, 1980 in Dallas, Texas. In the months preceding his birth, his sainted mother complained of the normal kicking that unborn babies are known for, but his were constant. She knew she was having a drummer. As a small child, Grady Don enjoyed singing with and for family members and friends. His early favorites were Alabama, Bruce Springsteen, and Willie Nelson. At age 6, Grady Don’s older sister received a drumkit for Christmas. Grady Don was intrigued and is to this day. At 12,Grady Don got his own drumkit and was already in a band. He began gigging at age 14 and has performed with various outfits since then, including, but not limited to: Interstate Nine, Reuben Bloomfield, Bekur, BAGG, Sunday Drive, Current Leaves, RTB2, Eaton Lake Tonics and The Slow Burners.  GradyDon met Rex Emerson while running sound at an open-mic called Big Ass Beer at Rubber Gloves in Denton, Texas. Rex had a black eye, but that’s another story altogether. When Grady Don found out that Rex had formed Boxcar Bandits, he insisted that he could help by running sound, playing percussion, and singing. Which was probably a lie.

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TEXAS REX EMERSON (Mandolin, tenor banjo, kazoo, guitar, vocals)

rex recording

Texas Rex was born on the High Plains of the Panhandle of Texas, in Amarillo.  Reared by a band of armadillos, he learned that metal, wood, and beer was potent combination.  He is now found stinkin’ up the area with the Bandits, with the utterly Satanic Pentagrass, and with the un-traditional Irish group County Rexford.  He can often be found in Room 3, down the hall from the P in Room 6, trading knowledge and destroying mandolins, banjos, tenor banjos, guitars, tenor guitars, ukes of all sizes, balalaikas, harmonicas, and more, leaving a trail of broken picks in his wake!

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HILLARY EARLY (guitar, vocals)

hillary

Hillary Early grew up in rural East Texas.  First, only pine trees listened to his lonesome voice and twangy guitar.  Then he moved to Denton, where pine trees aren’t as common.  If his life had a soundtrack it would be bluegrass, the overture from “Ride of the Valkyries,” and a turkey sandwich.  In a recent conversation with Tony Rice Hillary said, “Hey Tony!!…”  Tony’s lack of response is a statement to the power in Hillary’s blazing, melodic guitar playing.   Hillary says the only way to reach your dreams is with lots of sweat and spit and sweaty spit.

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FIDDLIN’ AUSTIN SMITH (fiddle, vocals)

Austin fiddlin\' around

Austin Smith has received no formal training on the fiddle.  He inherited the instrument after his father Col. “Gator-Wrestlin’ Fiddlin” Tiny Smith was eaten by alligators.