Hillbilly Gypsies continue bluegrass success

When it comes to bluegrass, few local groups have made names for themselves throughout the region like the Hillbilly Gypsies.

Based in Morgantown, the Hillbilly Gypsies is a quintet that got its start in 2001 thanks to a chance meeting at the old West Virginia Brewing Company.

Multiple albums and tours later, the band boasts an enthusiastic fan following throughout the region and, according bassist Jason Teel, the band's unique style of music has driven much of its success.

"We like to skip around through a little old-time music and bluegrass with a touch of soul thrown in," Teel said. "We'll take the classic bluegrass sound and put a little kick into it, producing some high energy sounds."

Teel also makes note of the group's unique arrangement on stage, through its music and on-stage presence.

"We're a very traditional group," Teel said. "We all play around one old-style mic in such a way to better resonate the vocals for our sound."

The group's sound is hard to pinpoint on any given night, Teel said.

"We have such a blend of roots between bluegrass, blues and old-time music that our music can't really be classified under a single genre," Teel said. "You can tell the difference in our style from show to show. They're never the same."

"But we're still trying kind of forming our own sound," Teel said. "Every time we rehearse we catch something new in our sound."

For the past decade, the group has been touring extensively across the region, a schedule that takes a toll on the group at times.

"We've been pretty busy every weekend this year so far, but as soon as May rolls around things will start to get real crazy," Teel said. "But hey, that's what we signed up for, and I love it."

Once they are on the road, however, thoughts of their home state remain are ever present.

"When you get on the road you really start to miss the people and the places in West Virginia a lot more," Teel said. "Simply put, when you're from West Virginia, you're proud of the state and will give anything to remain at home."

Because of its success, the Hillbilly Gypsies get the opportunity to represent the state and its people on the road through the group's music.

"If we didn't have the great support we got back home in West Virginia we would never have been able to branch out, follow our passions and make this state proud," Teel said. "We urge people to support local music and musicians, because only through that can great artists have a chance to pursue their dreams."

The Hillbilly Gypsies are on tour throughout the year and can be seen again in Morgantown this spring at Cheat Fest.

For more information on the group visit www.hillbillygypsies.com.