The Pussywillows w/ special guests Gibson Wilbanks

The Frank Hamilton School is proud to present one of the hottest young acts on the Georgia music scene these days in The Pussywillows! Individually, Carly Gibson and Zale are exceptionally strong performers and songwriters; together, they are positively formidable. The Pussywillows, in short, are: sweet and savory; sultry and fresh; pure. Zale has a diverse background in music, beginning her career in Warner Robins, GA performing in over 30 musicals throughout her life. Zale competed in the Miss America Organization as a teen, where she learned how to command a stage and stand out in a crowd. In her recent college years, Zale’s band, Boomfox, was one of the most successful young acts in Athens, earning the support of local heroes like David Lowery of Cracker and Julian Dorio of The Whigs. She has opened for The Revivalists and Bright Light Social Hour and has performed alongside Lera Lynn and Moon Taxi at Bragg Jam Festival 2015. Zale is currently touring with her aptly named band, ZALE, promoting her recently released debut solo album “Fortress” (available online – zalemusic.com). It is clear when you hear Zale that the girl has “IT,” which in this case has been described as “…a fiery combination of soul, grit, and Jack Daniels Honey.” Pour yourself a second glass and multiply that warm and happy feeling by two when Carly is standing on stage beside her. In the music world, Carly Gibson is what you would call a triple threat: she not only composes soulful and sophisticated music, she also sings beautifully and plays a mean acoustic guitar. Think biological lovechild of Susan Tedeschi and Hendrix, but raised by Joni Mitchell and Stevie Ray Vaugn. In addition, she has developed a substantial reputation for her lead chops on her Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Carly’s solo music resonates with the flavors that reflect her own diverse musical tastes and influences. Rock, jazz, folk, blues, Americana, bluegrass and funk all find their place in her repertoire. Carly has opened for or shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Geoff Acheson, Glen Phillips, Randall Bramblett, Caroline Aiken, Grayson Capps, Chris Hicks (Marshall Tucker Band), Michael Tolcher, Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, and more. The Pussywillows are perfect harmony in motion. Balance is their greatest quality; they weave in and out of each other’s melodies seamlessly. At times throughout their set, listeners cannot tell who is singing which line, creating an almost subconscious, fascinating game. Their music is beautiful yet haunting; though soft at times, it always takes the listener back to a hard beating pulse surrounded by nasty electric guitar. The best friends push and pull each other and their audiences through intricately constructed sonic spaces showcasing carefully cultivated lyrics that both evoke and provoke listeners into a daydream in which you can simultaneously catch cotton candy by sticking out your tongue and stomp proudly through alligator infested swamps in high-heeled leather boots. Sass and class, and a little something special are what this duet possesses. Although not sisters by blood, the young women’s connection and voices suggest otherwise. For music and more visit http://www.thepussywillows.com/ Kicking off the night is Gibson Wilbanks, also featuring Carly Gibson with BJ Wilbanks. These two have been called “Gregg Allman meets Bonnie Raitt.” They have combined their considerable songwriting and musical skills to create the unique and popular Southern bluesy sound that helped them to win the coveted songwriter’s open mic competitions at Eddie’s Attic in December of 2011 and in November of 2013 at Eddie Owen Presents @ Red Clay Theatre.