Out & About

Keller Williams and The Hillbenders to Deliver Bluegrass Versions of Tom Petty, Grateful Dead

WHEELING -- Musical Mad Scientist, Keller Williams, brings his latest project DeadPettyKellerGrass to Wheeling's Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 15, along with his musical compadres, The Hillbenders.

The performance features bluegrass versions of Grateful Dead, Tom Petty and Keller Williams classics.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at capitoltheatrewheeling.com and the WesBanco Arena Box Office.

Following the bluegrass-jam with Keller Williams and The Hillbenders at the Capitol Theatre, an after-jam will be held at Wheeling's Waterfront Hall.

Virginian, Keller Williams, released his first album in 1994, "FREEK," and has since given each of his albums a single syllable title: "BUZZ," "SPUN," "BREATHE," "LOOP," "LAUGH," "HOME," "DANCE," "STAGE," "GRASS," "DREAM," "TWELVE," "LIVE," "ODD," "THIEF," "KIDS," "BASS," "PICK," "FUNK," "VAPE," "SYNC," "RAW," "SANS," "ADD," "SPEED," "CELL," "GRIT" and "DROLL." Each title serves as a concise summation of the concept guiding each project.

Keller's albums reflect his pursuit to create music that sounds like nothing else. Un-beholden to conventionalism, he seamlessly crosses genre boundaries. The end product is music that encompasses rock, jazz, funk and bluegrass, and always keeps the audience on their feet. Keller built his reputation initially on his engaging live performances, no two of which are ever alike. For most of his career he has performed solo.

His stage shows are rooted around Keller singing his compositions and choice cover songs, while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, bass, guitar synthesizer and drum samples; a technique called live phrase sampling or "looping." The end result often leans toward a hybrid of alternative folk and groovy electronica, a genre Keller jokingly calls "acoustic dance music" or ADM.

Keller's constant evolution has led to numerous band projects as well; Keller & The Keels, Grateful Grass, KWahtro, Keller and the Travelin' McCourys, Grateful Gospel, More Than A Little and now DeadPettyKellerGrass ft. The Hillbenders! Keller can be found playing clubs and festivals around the U.S. with these projects throughout the year.

The Hillbenders are a talented five piece band consisting of dobro, banjo, mandolin, guitar and upright bass. They hail from Missouri and are a passionate and animated gaggle of players.

For additional information on Keller Williams, visit https://kellerwilliams.net.