The Malpass Brothers

The Malpass BrothersModern-day troubadours who carry the torch for traditional Country music.Regulars at the Grand Ole Opry, this duo performed with the great Merle Haggard for seven years. The multi-award winners also deliver hilarious off-the-cuff sibling banter!The Malpass Brothers are among the most popular touring groups in America today. They sold out at The Barnhill Center in early 2023 and we’re excited to host them a second time.Their music is steeped in the legacy of Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, George Jones and Merle Haggard. You may hear a few old-time Gospel tunes.The brothers also look the part – complete with pearl-snap shirts, Manuel/Nudie suits, over-shaped cowboy hats, and pompadour coiffure – just to drive home the point.As recently as October 2022, the Malpass Brothers won two Josie Music Awards in Nashville: the Duo/Group of the Year for Traditional/Classic Country, and Entertainer of the Year for a Duo/Group.The Malpass Brothers have shared stages with Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, Doc Watson and many more country greats. When they were teenagers, the great Merle Haggard invited them to perform as his opening act.They traveled and recorded with him for the next seven years.In 2011, Haggard produced The Malpass Brothers’ debut album, “Memory That Bad” on Hag Records. The title track hit #6 on the CMT Pure Country 12-Pack Countdown and remained in the charts for several weeks.In 2015, Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee, Doyle Lawson produced their sophomore, self-titled album on Organic Records. In 2017, The Malpass Brothers released a live album, “Live at the Paramount,” which captures the energy and excitement of their highly polished, traditional Country music show. The Malpass Brothers made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry in December of 2018, and they have been asked to return to the hallowed stage over a dozen times since. They headlined international tours and festivals in Ireland, Switzerland, and in Scotland.They have been featured as guest artists on Circle TV’s “Dailey & Vincent Show,” on TBN’s “The Huckabee Show,” RFD’s “Country’s Family Reunion” and “Larry’s Country Diner.” In 2023, a compilation of their performances on “Larry’s Country Diner” was released.Their latest album, “Lonely Street” was released in May of 2023 and produced by Lawson with Ben Isaacs (of the multi-Dove Award-winning/Grammy nominated group The Isaacs). Chris Malpass wrote and co-wrote most of the songs for the project.The Malpass Brothers PBS documentary entitled “Heading Home” debuted on UNC-TV in June 2018. See the entertaining preview here:Learn more on their website.Watch them perform, click here!What people are saying:"They remind me a lot of myself and people that I knew when I was young. It’s valuable to me that we cultivate young talent for traditional county music."- Merle Haggard"These young men are keeping real country music alive and well, so if they come anywhere near your town, you need to go see them. They're incredible singers, songwriters and musicians and they could be Entertainers of the Year."–Gene Watson"George Jones once recorded the song, ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ which wondered if young country singers would come along in the future to take the place of the great old ones. Well, George, maybe your prayer’s been answered. These guys don’t just sound retro. They ARE retro."–Dan MacIntosh, Roothog Radio"This may be the kind of effort that saves country music from complete pop oblivion."– SteelGuitarForum.com