Dorene Bankester
Dorene Bankester • Dorene Bankester plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. She is one of the most patient and dedicated wives and mothers around. She also loves used book stores!
"We as Dailey and Vincent have had the chance to work with this fine band a couple of times now. Not only are they good people, they are real. Their music will touch you and we are happy to fly the banner for The Bankester Family." ~ Jamie Dailey, Dailey & Vincent
The Bankester Family really is one of those bands that was actually discovered in the parking lot at a small bluegrass festival.
They only knew two songs at the time, but it was enough to get them hired for their first gig. Five years, hundreds of shows, thousands of miles, eleven states, two CDs, two vans and one son-in-law later, the family has matured into a fine-tuned band featuring exceptional vocals, with rock-solid instrumental backing.
The band features Kyle Triplett, a gifted multi-instrumentalist who first met the family at Silver Dollar City in 2007. He later joined the band and family, marrying the oldest of the sisters, Melissa. She is the bass player, and does quite a bit of lead and harmony singing. Lindsey plays mandolin and brings a lower vocal range to the sisters’ blend. Emily and Alysha both sing and play fiddle, providing that great traditional twin fiddle sound. Dorene plays guitar and sings, as does Phil (with a little clawhammer banjo thrown in).
Their first music video, featuring the Becky Buller song "Carolina Rain" and produced by Nashville’s Genuine Human Productions, has generated considerable attention. Featuring a mix of gospel, contemporary and traditional material, the band has a loyal following in the Midwest and is adding new fans everywhere they go, including fellow musicians and radio personalities alike.
"The outstanding element throughout is the Bankesters’ precise harmonies which shine on “Gospel Plow,” “Is Not This The Land Of Beulah?,” and the a cappella “Long Time Traveler.” This is a striking collection of bluegrass music that showcases the group’s vast musical talents." ~ Bluegrass Unlimited
"… a fine CD from a band that’s not yet signed by a label but ought to be" ~ bluegrasscountry.org
" They’ve come a long way in the last year or two . . . Amazing Stuff!" ~ Mike Kear, Music From Foggy Hollow
". . . Here is a group that has been together for a few years now and is at least one notch above most family bands. Popular artists in the region, it is surprising that they haven’t been given more publicity. The girl’s dynamic harmonies have certainly evolved into a wonderful blend that supports their music extremely well . . . There is a good balance with their sound. Smooth, tight and emotional . . . All the songs on this release are full of life and full of soul . . . If this band keeps doing music like this, we are all going to hear more from them. Hearing more is what you’ll want after hearing this album." ~ Bob Cherry, Cybergrass.com
“I’ve known the Bankester Family for 3 years now and it’s such a blessing to watch the girls grow – but even more of a treat to watch the music develop and come together like a fine piece of art. “Somewhere in Between” showcases the great lead vocals from all of the family and staggering harmonies that only a family can create. I love the entire album, but if I have to choose a few great tunes I’d gravitate to “Carolina Rain” and “Long Time Traveler”, but take my word you’ll enjoy the entire project!!” ~ Jamie Johnson, The Grascals
"We as Dailey and Vincent have had the chance to work with this fine band a couple of times now. Not only are they good people, they are real. Their music will touch you and we are happy to fly the banner for The Bankester Family." ~ Jamie Dailey, Dailey & Vincent
"Everybody’s heard the term "Family Harmonies" and there’s no doubt everybody’s heard good family harmony over the years, but once you listen to The Bankester Family I think you’ll agree that the term will take on a whole new meaning. This family was put on this earth to do one thing . . . SING!! . . . and they do it with the best of them. Thank You Bankester Family for the sweet music to my ears that you provide with this CD." ~ Roger Randolph, Host, bluegrassmix.com
"There was no "Sampling" this CD… from the first song to the last I listened to every note and word this family sang. I was drawn into the music from the start and could not let go… Heck I didn’t want to let go! "Goosebump Harmony" is what my wife calls it, and she’s not easily impressed!" ~ Roger Randolph – Bluegrass Mix Reviews
"If this band keeps doing music like this, we are all going to hear more from them. Hearing more is what you’ll want after hearing this album." ~ Bob Cherry – Cybergrass
"This striking collection of bluegrass music showcases the group’s vast musical talents. The outstanding element throughout is the Bankesters’ precise harmonies…" ~ Bluegrass Unlimited
VIDEOS
The Bankesters • “Blow Out the Candle, Laura”
http://www.youtube.com/v/VGwgWVPvS1g
The Bankesters • “Carolina Rain”
http://www.youtube.com/v/2yf7_4cRaOk
The Bankesters • “Making Of Carolina Rain”
http://www.youtube.com/v/Zh_adYKtBgo
Interview with Phil Bankester
http://www.youtube.com/v/k6yOLU3XNEQ
The Bankesters • Bass Talk
http://www.youtube.com/v/PGXQlx01rAo
Bankester Family Interview at 2009 IBMA
http://www.youtube.com/v/ZJIPKwI_QV8
The Bankesters • “Fiddle Medley”
http://www.youtube.com/v/K1uTfbXczsk
The Bankesters • “Get Right or Get Left”
http://www.youtube.com/v/HhWqXMMfRE4
LINKS
FaceBook • www.facebook.com/the.bankesters
Events on FaceBook • www.facebook.com/the.bankesters?sk=events
Mailing List • www.reverbnation.com/thebankesterfamily
Booking • 618-967-9767, info@bankesterfamily.com
SonicBids • www.profiles.sonicbids.com/artists/TheBankesterFamily
Store • www.bankesters.com/recordings.cfm
Contact • www.bankesters.com/contactus.cfm
Tickets • www.bankesters.com/tour.cfm
WebSite • www.bankesters.com
ReverbNation • www.reverbnation.com/thebankesterfamily
YouTube • www.youtube.com/philbank
MySpace • www.myspace.com/bankesterfamily
The Bankesters in Who’s Who in Bluegrass • Groups
