Artist description As mentioned above we have been performing together as the" Kilby Brothers" since 1996.  For the most part we are an instrumental band. Tim plays a Martin guitar, and I play autoharps handcrafted by Dr. George Orthey and Tom Fladmark.  Tim's youngest daughter Amy (age 14) has been performing with us on fiddle for some of our engagements.

Music Style traditional country, gospel, bluegrass

Musical Influences We have been influenced by some of the top names in bluegrass and gospel music.  The group that has influenced us the most would be the Lewis Family from Linolnton Georgia.  We grew up listening to their music.  We have found memories of going to the "Shindig In the Barn" in Lancater PA with our parents and grandparents to hear the Lewis Family in concert. Instrumentally Mother Maybelle Carter was a major influence on my autoharp playing style.  Tim was greatly influenced by guitar legends Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs and Wayne Henderson.

Similar Artists This is a tough one.  We like to think of our music as unique and original.  When we play acoustic hymns, our sound is similar to that of the music in the Smoky Mountain Hymn series of recordings.

Artist History In 1995 Tim and I decided we would like to make an instrumental recording of Hymns on autoharp and guitar in memory of our grandparents Blair and Wave Kilby who passed away a few years earlier.  Our grandparents and parents encouraged our musical endeavors from early childhood.  We never really considered ourselves to be a "band" but after our recording "Autoharp Praise" was released  we received numerous requests to perform for churches, banquets, festivals, fund raisers etc.  Wecontinue to perform as the "Kilby Brothers" for limited engagements even though we both perform in other groups.  Some of our musician friends help us out when we perform in public.

Group Members Tim Kilby - acoustic guitar; Dave Kilby - autoharp

Instruments acoustic guitar, autoharp, acoustic bass

Press Reviews "Autoharp Praise" received a favorable review in the February 1996 edition of "Autoharp Clearinghouse" published by Eileen Roys.  Excerts from the review follow:  Autoharp Praise is a promising first album recorded by brothers David and Timothy Kilby.  The project is comprised of hymns of the faith cast in an instrumental motif.  And, while the material presented here is, for the most part, quite familiar, there is a certain charm to the presentation of it that makes for a very nice initial effort.The subject matter involved is such that it demands sensitivity and restraint from its performers.  Appropriately, this generous tape offers unhurried and easy going interpretations of these sacred classics.  The picking is largely straight, proving once again that more is not always better.  In fact, some of the project's most effective passages are the simplest.All of the melodies were imaginatively arranged by autoharpist Dave Kilby, who hails from Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania.  His playing on these numbers especially exemplifies a reverential respect for the material at hand.  Whether performing literal interpretations--or adding his own unique, subtle and deft touches-- a high level of musicality is maintained. Dave's Orthey 'harp shines brightly through every tune, as he portrays a variety of moods and textures.  Particularly noteworthy is his focused incisive soloing as he performs "How Great Thou Art."Tim's accompaniment on guitar and acoustic bass is pleasant, supportive and unobtrusive.  The duo exhibits a sure sense of timing throughout, and creatively interjects interesting alternate chords and key shifts.  Guest artist Keith Kupp augments "Amazing Grace" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" with his tremolo-style mandolin. The feeling that this imparts to the album adds significantly."

Location Peach Bottom, PA - USA

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