Événement

Behind The Gate With Under The Big Oak Tree

Under the Big Oak Tree performs American music in its purest, sweetest, and most engaging form. Strikingly beautiful vocals express classical lyrical themes, propelled by a full acoustic ensemble.

WHUS Connecticut 91.7FM

Under the Big Oak Trees honeyed blend of acoustic American musical traditions has been described as warm and picturesque with flawless harmonies. (St. Joseph Newspress)

Their second album, Local Honey (2016, MudStomp Records) was praised as, wholesome, wistful, and, most of all, welcoming, as if the band is serenading you from their front porch. (David M. Anderson, co-editor, The Hank Williams Reader)

Their forthcoming album, The Ark, expands the bands sonic palette with the addition of guitarist Jason Riley on nylon string and electric guitar, and the new songs venture deeper into themes both dark and light.

In 2016 the band launched Handpicked, an annual, local/seasonal-themed concert series in downtown St. Joseph, MO. Over two season now it has expanded to Kansas City and brought some of the areas best folk musicians on stage in collaboration with the band.

Wholesome, wistful, and, most of all, welcoming, as if the band is serenading you from their front porch across the street on a late spring afternoon.

- David M. Anderson (co-editor, The Hank Williams Reader)

At the center of the bands sound is the expressive singing of Kristin Hamilton, evoking Loretta Lynn when she first burst out with Coal Miners Daughter so many years ago: clear, emotional, and phrased just right. (Real Peoples Music) Hamilton grew up singing at the spontaneous musical get-togethers on her familys farm in northwest Missouri. Extended family would gather under a big old oak on summer nights to sing and play old country and gospel numbers. Memories of these evenings inspired the name of the band.

In an unlikely meeting of two musicians with opposite musical backgrounds, classically-trained composer and multi-instrumentalist Simon Fink joined up with Kristin after she posted a Craiglist ad in search of musical collaborators. Simons songs have been praised as timeless and extremely literate. (Tuning Fork Magazine)

Doug Ward forms the backbone of the band on upright bass. Ward is a veteran performer who provides a uniquely melodic and tremendously warm low end to the bands sound. (St. Joe Live)

Guitarist Jason Riley is the most recent addition to the ensemble, bringing a dazzling array of eclectic techniques and sonic possibilities