CCMM
September 1996
“Super Group With A Distinct Sound”
By Kenny & Ida Burford
There is not enough
space available in this column to use all the superlatives necessary to
accurately describe the energy translated in the music of the Nace Brothers
Band. While other bands simply aspire to
make music, the Nace Brothers have stepped to a realm that few groups will ever
realize. Their music is as real as the
music that came out of
Dave and Jimmy Nace
were born and raised in Warrensburg, Missouri and come from a musically
talented family that can be traced back four generation: beginning with their great grandfather, Val
Nace, a trained classical violinist; then their Grandfather, Percy Nace,
bluegrass fiddler, banjo and guitar player; and last, their father, Johnny
Nace, who was a successful singer-songwriter who achieved both regional and
national success. Johnny was a great
influence on his sons and gave them a sense of their heritage and direction in
both their musical careers as well as their personal lives. They joined their father’s legendary band,
The Midnighters, where they developed their talent as musicians and performers,
often performing 250 to 300 nights per year.
Both Dave and Jimmy agree that it was under the guidance of their father
and his life-long friend and steel guitarist, Joe Green, that they learned the fundamentals
of playing professional music.
In 1981, the Nace
Brothers struck out on their own with a six-piece band and that configuration
gave way to the current line-up. With
their own distinctive sound, which is a combination of county, rock and blues,
it simply is impossible to label their music.
Dave Nace said it
best, “We used to worry if we were too country, too rock or too heavy on the
blues, but it finally came down to – if it feels good, let’s play it. The music we play just has to have a good
feel.”
This four-piece super
group features Dave Nace on drums, percussion, lead vocals and as band leader;
Jimmy Nace on electric guitar, dobro, harmonica and vocals; Tim Williams on
bass guitar and vocals; and Bart Colliver on keyboards, acoustic guitar and
vocals. The group’s credentials include
performances with Bo Diddley, Delbert McClinton, The Band,
Commander Cody and Jimmy Buffett. They
have six recording projects to their credit and another one in the works.
Their first release
was in 1982, an album “Smooth Rockin’”, then a 45 RPM record on 5th
Street Records, “Rock-A-Billy Babies” and “He’s Cool” and then a five song
cassette produced by Garry Mac, “Life Goes On.”
Next the group moved on to make their first CD, “There Comes A Time: and had a release on MCA Record’s compilation CD,
“Margaritaville Café” which sold over 100,000 copies.
What does the future
look like for the group?
Dave said, “Our
performance schedule for the summer of ’96 is completely booked up and we are
really excited about working with Calf Creek Records on their latest recording
project, “Club 15.” They included our
song “Heaven” on a compilation CD for distribution to radio stations and it is
currently at number 47 on the chart of Airplay International Magazine.
CCMM readers owe it
to themselves to make a special point to get out and hear this super group and
purchase a copy of their latest recording.