Backstory:
Formed in the heart of Texas in 2014, Exemplary Grass was born from the merging of two diverse musical backgrounds. The founding members, Jim “Fiddlesticks” Hendrix and George “Twang” Thompson, both grew up playing bluegrass music in their respective families. By chance, they crossed paths at a local music festival and sparked a conversation around the potential of blending their love for bluegrass with their shared appreciation for modern folk-rock. After recruiting a few more members from the local music scene – Cindy “Cinders” Johnson on the banjo, Tom “Thumper” Wright on the drums, and Fran “Fingers” O’Reilly on the bass – Exemplary Grass was ready to begin their musical journey.
Their debut album, “Fiddle and Twang”, released in 2016, was a critical hit and quickly gained a dedicated following. Their unique blend of traditional bluegrass and modern folk-rock resonated with fans across the country. The band’s soulful lyrics, paired with their authentic, powerful instrumentation, made Exemplary Grass a standout in a sea of similar-sounding bands. Their energetic live shows further solidified their place in the music scene, leading them to tour nationwide and even internationally.
Genre:
Bluegrass/Folk-Rock
Title:
“Valley of Echoes”
Full Song Lyrics:
(Verse 1)
[G]Down in the valley of echoes, [C]where the tall grass sway,
[D]You can hear the whispers of the olden days, [G]fading away.
[C]Footprints of our ancestors, imprinted in the clay,
[D]Guiding us forward, though they’ve gone away. [G]
(Chorus)
[C]Oh, in this valley of echoes, [G] we find our way,
[D]Tangled roots of history, beneath our feet they lay.
[G]Listening to the whispers, [C]the echoes of the past,
[D]In the valley of echoes, [G]we’re home at last.
(Verse 2)
[G]The sun dips low, casting shadows long, [C]as fiddles play,
[D]Our voices join the melody, in harmony we sway. [G]
[C]In this valley of echoes, under the starlit dome,
[D]We dance with the shadows, [G]in our ancestral home.
(Chorus)
[C]Oh, in this valley of echoes, [G] we find our way,
[D]Tangled roots of history, beneath our feet they lay.
[G]Listening to the whispers, [C]the echoes of the past,
[D]In the valley of echoes, [G]we’re home at last.
Fan’s Testimonial:
My name’s Billy, but the band calls me “Bluegrass Billy”. I’ve been following Exemplary Grass since their first gig in our tiny Texas town. I’ve always loved their unique sound, the way they blend traditional bluegrass and modern folk-rock. It’s like they’ve found a way to connect the past and the present through their music. Their song “Valley of Echoes” really hits home for me. It reminds me of my own roots and the echoes of my ancestors. I’ve seen them live over twenty times now and each time, it feels like coming home.