Starkgrass Takes Over the Capital City - Jackson Free Press

The Tombigbees weave a love of history and bluegrass through their music, a sound they call “Starkgrass.” Photo courtesy The Tombigbees

Starkville-based bluegrass band The Tombigbees began as a trio, performing at open-mic nights and backwoods bars. In just a little over a year and a half, the group has grown into a septet of multi-instrumentalists with a sound that upright-bassist Brent Varner describes as "Starkgrass." The Tombigbees' music weaves a love of history and distinct twanging bluegrass into modern originals and covers to create something altogether their own.

The group's first line-up consisted of fiddler Tre Watts, 25, and Madison natives Varner, 24, and mandolin-player Hayden Ellis, 25. Varner and Ellis alternated between bass and guitar. Soon after, Charlie Culpepper, 28, who moved to Starkville from Boone, N.C., joined the band on harmonica, banjo and guitar. Anna Katherine Coker, 24, sat in with the band, lending her gentle, soulful vocals to the proceedings, and Evan Alderman, 23, brought a new sound as the drummer and percussionist. As the other musicians became full-fledged members, they connected with John Pipper, 22, who joined on lead guitar, the band's only fully electric instrument. With so many multi-talented artists, The Tombigbees find it easy to alter their sound. "It's not a Tombigbees show if we all don't switch instruments during our set," Varner says.

Since the band formed in spring of 2013, members have dropped in and out, including Watts, who lives in Atlanta, and Ellis, who lives in Jackson. Varner says The Tombigbees welcome past members to play whenever they are available. He attributes the open-arms policy to the band's hometown.

"Starkville is an anomaly," he says. "It's not unusual for someone from another band to bring a harmonica by before a show. There's so much collaboration and support from other bands here."

Balancing college and music is one of the biggest struggles the group faces. Culpepper and Varner are pursuing master's degrees at Mississippi State University in aquaculture and student affairs, respectively, while Coker is earning her bachelor's degree in business administration and Pipper is earning his in accounting. Shows nearly every weekend and rehearsals at least two nights a week can be a strain on band relationships, so The Tombigbees try to be understanding of each others' schedules.

The Tombigbees traveled and played in a number of interesting places in a short time, including Vidalia, La., where the group spent a weekend as the house band for Rifle Point Plantation. "It was way out in south Louisiana, just way out in the sticks, but it was a fun weekend," Culpepper says.

In March, The Tombigbees traveled to Stone Mountain, Ga., to compete in the Stone Mountain Village Blue Grassroots Music & Arts Festival, and won third place in the Old-Time Band Contest. "We played on stages with some quality acts—like, some serious pickers," Varner says. "We were shocked, flattered (and) honored. It was awesome."

Currently, The Tombigbees are writing material for their first album, with about 10 songs finished so far. The band plans to record next spring and release a full-length record in the summer. The group also hopes to expand its influence in 2015, and remind listeners of the traditions and heritage they share. In writing original music, the musicians incorporate true stories. Last year, Alderman found his great grandfather's journal from the 1880s, and when the band sits down to create new songs, he uses that history as inspiration.

"Our music is just our interpretation of traditional, all-American music through the lens of the modern era," Culpepper says.

The Tombigbees return to Martin's Restaurant & Bar for its New Year's Eve Blowout for the second year with a new set of original music and fan favorites in hopes of outdoing last year's show. "We're going to have a good old time," Varner says. "Bring your dancing shoes."

The Tombigbees perform at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Martin's Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712). For more information, visit martinslounge.net.