Music Review: The Bennett Valley Gray Band

Starting off with a cover of “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, it’s like you are taking Highway 37 down to a little town of Gilmanton where The Bennett Valley Gray Band is from. They may be from the small town of Gilmanton, but you can sure hear their big cities voices come out in the songs they sing. Having been part of the band ever since their teen years, you can hear Candyce Gray on vocals, guitar, and tambourine, Kristi Gray Hurlburt on vocals and keyboard, and their brother Darrin Gray on vocals and lead guitar. Not leaving the other band members out, they have Kevin Frederickson on Drums, Mike Elbertson on lead guitar and harmonica, and also their sound man Matt.

This band is not your average band, they started off playing with just their neighbors and friends and working hard to become well known, then eventually getting booked for weddings, then came fairs and summer festivals, then even being able to perform at Country Jam right here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin with the other big shots of the country scene. “I’m having a party/ A party for two/ Inviting nobody/ nobody but you.” Even with the cover of “Party for Two” originally done by Shania Twain, this was definitely not a party for two; it was a party for a crowd. The Bennett Valley Gray Band really likes to get into the music and make sure that everyone is having a good time. If not they will make sure to have songs for everyone, they play everything from country’s top 40, older country, to even classic and newer rock. One of the lead vocalists Candyce Gray made the comment “ We try to get a big mix in our songs, we don’t want to just play for the country fans, but have a broader range and play for everyone in the audience.” With their gifted voices and engaging instrumentation I would have to agree with her. They really appealed to everyone in the audience. They played songs from Taylor Swift, Chris Daughtry, too even the great Johnny Cash. This gave each audience member a taste of some of their favorite songs. Just with a little bit of the Gray Family Twist on it.

With every band there is a story of how they came to get together, I had the chance to talk with Candyce Gray one of the vocalists and who also fills in playing different instruments like tambourine and guitar. She told me the story of how the band came to be. The Gray family has always had music involved in their lives. Candyce, Darrin, and Kristi’s parents both came from musical families. Candyce said “When we were really young, I remember my dad always singing no matter where he was, he sang in the barn, in the house, and always while he was working.” Since music was such a big part of their family both parents said that they should begin music lessons because they never got the chance to learn to play different instruments and they wanted that chance for their children. They happened on some money from the passing of a grandparent, which is when they bought their first drum set, and they started practicing in basement of their home. While neighbors were visiting they often heard the kids practicing and soon started having weekend get-togethers of singing and playing music. Soon, the word spread and bars owners became interested and started asking them to play for them. They took that chance and began playing at local bars. Candyce, while laughing stated “We were horrible, we got out there and did our best, but we were nervous and things just didn’t go right that night.” Though many others disagree, because on a night where they were playing they got asked by a man name Chris Hill who was getting married and didn’t have the money to get some entertainment for the night. He asked them if they would play at his wedding and they agreed. They played for them and that is when Candyce said “This is when we truly became a band because we had to think of a name for ourselves, my father came up with The Bennett Valley Grey Band.” The name the father gave them was because they lived in the Bennett Valley and their last name was Gray so the name was a good choice and the locals would recognize them. After that, people kept asking them to perform at their wedding and local events and it took off from there.

After a little intermission, they soon took off into a full swing. Singing some “Picture to Burn” by Taylor Swift and “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band. With Kristi’s amazing vocals for “Picture to Burn” you knew you had to stay for the whole concert. She has a voice which is a cross between Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride. You can tell each and everyone one of them gave their all throughout each song and performance. There was even a special treat while I was there that they said might happen every once and awhile. Their father who has always been part of the band and has sang and played throughout the years recently retired last year at the age of 71. Candyce said “He enjoys it, but it was just getting too hard on him because we would be out so late and he would want to drive home by himself.” She said “We just can’t risk him driving home alone by himself.” But on this special night we all got to see him come out and sing some Jonny Cash with some of the songs including “Burning Ring of Fire” and also “Walk the Line” both by the great Johnny Cash. The crowd roared as he came up on the stage. An audience member said “He sings Johnny Cash so well, why he even looks a little like him.” I would have to agree with her he did a fantastic job and was on point with the music. While he was singing he was bouncing away and you could see in his kids’ eyes that they were glad he was up there singing “his” songs.

After the show, I got the chance to ask Candyce about different aspects of music and her ideas of what she thinks of it.
Jake: What are your opinions about music today?
Candyce: “Well, music is up to the individual. Music does different things for people including different types of music. For example sometimes I like to listen to classical because I have a headache or just need to relax and that helps me. So it should ultimately be the individuals’ choice, but people should check out things that they don’t typically listen to so they can broaden their horizons.”
Jake: Do you have any encouraging words for upcoming musicians?
Candyce: “Yes, Do what you like. Don’t always look for what the crowd wants. You have to be comfortable but also have a balance. You don’t want to do what others want to hear, but they should hear what comes from the inside of you.”
Jake: Ok, one last question for you, what or who inspired you to become a musician?
Candyce: “My family, especially my parents and grandparents. They were always singing and getting us kids to sing along so I just started loving it.”

So now that you got a feel for the music they play and know a little more about them. You have to get out there and go to one of there shows. You are sure to hear something that you like with the variety they play and the energy and enthusiasm that they put in each performance, it will be a show that you won’t forget. There last number was a cover of “Little Willie” by Sweet. It went “Cause little Willy, Willy won’t/ go home/ but you can’t push Willy ‘round, / Willy won’t go.” One thing for sure that night was that I was like “Little Willy”; I didn’t want to go home because The Bennett Valley Gray Band put on an amazing show, and I wanted to be there all night. So if you haven’t heard this band yet, you need to get out there and experience some good music from some good people!