by Drew Moody
Davisson Brothers Band lead singer, Donnie Davisson, was upbeat Sunday evening as he and the band drove through Nashville.
"We love Glenville and Gilmer County. We're excited to be there," referring to their upcoming August 30 concert at Glenville State College's Waco Center.
He said the band's been traveling all over the country the past few weeks "just having a blast." Most of the day was spent writing songs for their new album.
"It's great to have a facility like that in the hills of West Virginia. They really did it right," Davisson said of the new Waco Center.
The Clarksburg-based group's blending of country, southern rock and bluegrass has secured a large regional fan-base. Members include Donnie and his brother Chris Davisson on slide and lead guitar, cousin Sammy Davisson on bass, and long-time friend Aaron Regester on drums.
The band heard about the Waco Center opening and recently contacted GSC physical plant director Tom Ratliff requesting a tour of the facility. Ratliff said the band was pretty impressed and wanted to be the first group to play a concert there. The rest will soon be history.
The Davisson Brothers will be joined on stage by former WVU running back and pro football player, Owen Schmitt. Schmitt and the band co-own Schmittâs Saloon and Davisson Brothers Music Hall in Morgantown, WV. The saloon is a combination bar, restaurant and music venue booking a variety of performers each month.
The group's first nationally released single will hit the radio airwaves next month. And TV producers are reportedly interested in the band becoming the focus of a new reality show, according to an article published last month in "Connect Bridgeport" online.
The August 30 Waco Center concert will begin with the band meeting fans and signing autographs from 6-6:45 p.m. Music is scheduled to start at 7. Students with an I.D. (from any school) will be admitted free of charge. Otherwise, the cover change is $10.
