The Davisson Brothers Band Signs with Keith Stegall's Dreamlined Entertainment; to Perform at Australia's CMC Rocks
By Julie Perine on October 08, 2017
After writing and producing songs that took artists including Alan Jackson and the Zac Brown Band to the top of the charts, Keith Stegall has taken on Chris Davisson, Donnie Davisson, Aaron Regester and Rus Reppert - collectively known as The Davisson Brothers Band.
Stegall has worked with many big names, producing 55 No. 1 Billboard-charted tunes and receiving multiple Grammy, ACM and CMA awards.
“He’s a remarkable producer whose first claim to fame was ‘Don’t Rock the Jukebox’ for Alan Jackson. It immediately went to No. 1 and he ended with 34 more No. 1 songs with Jackson,” said Reppert, DBB bass player. “He also produced 13 No. 1 songs with the Zac Brown Band.”
DBB recently signed with Stegall’s record label, Dreamlined Entertainment, an arm of Sony/The Orchard.
“I’m a big believer in honesty and when you come across these artists who are honest and real, it makes a producer’s job so much easier,” he said. “All you have to do is kind of be the coach and help them do what they do naturally – and that’s what struck me the most about The Davisson Brothers Band.”
In addition to having Stegall on board as their producer, DBB – like George Strait, Dierks Bentley and Lee Ann Womak – are being managed by the legendary Erv Woolsey.
On the ladder of success, it’s a huge step, said Chris Davisson, DBB lead guitarist.
“We have worked the old-fashioned way to get out there and do this,” he said. “The Davisson Brothers have never really gone down the ladder. We’ve continued to climb. That’s just how we’ve always looked at it. We’ve kept our heads down and kept working, continuing to go forward.”
Soon to be released is an album which, for the past couple of years, DBB and Stegall have worked on at Nashville’s legendary recording studio, Sound Emporium and Starstruck Studios owned by Reba McEntire.
Recording sessions have been worked in between extensive touring, including a 7,000-mile road trip this past summer; one which took them to Butte, Colorado and back to the Mountain State, winding through Nashville and Myrtle Beach, among other cities.
Referring to the musicians as “road warriors,” Stegall said their carefree rural vibe is balanced with a serious side when it comes down to business.
“They have an amazing work ethic and that translates from their music,” he said. “They work hard at what they do.”
It’s all been eye-opening and rewarding, Davisson said.
“Getting to do this on this level is a little different than what most artists get to do. It’s quite a process,” he said. “We have written dozens and dozens of songs and spent countless hours in Nashville writing rooms – even writing while going down the road. Keith is very, very on top of what he does. It’s not just something he takes lightly so we’ve gone through literally hundreds – if not thousands – of songs to choose what we’re recording for this record.”
The album will let fans immerse themselves in the band’s story through a balance of upbeat radio tunes and genuine autobiography pieces.
“Capturing both of those pieces is so important to being heard and discovered,” Stegall said.
Of the 10 selected for the recording project, one tune has been hand-picked as the single to set the wheels in motion.
That song is “Po Boyz;” one which really resonated with the West Virginia musicians who pride themselves on their unique blend of southern rock, bluegrass and country, as well as their rugged, backcountry lifestyle.
“I think it’s remarkable. It’s them,” Stegall said. “It’s really about where people who live this rural life come from and really, the song celebrates that, I think.”
It’s as if writers Justin Wilson and Bryan Mayer had the band in mind when penning “Po Boyz.”
“It’s a good-time song with a really catchy hook and good groove,” Reppert said. “The vocal range and lyrical content made it pretty much obvious that this was going to be the song for us to cut.”
“Po Boyz” will drop in the U.S. and North America within the next few weeks, starting with markets in West Virginia. Before that, however, the single will be released in Australia to promote a March 2018 appearance at “CMC Rocks,” a music festival in Willowbank, Ipswich in Australia where DBB will share the stage with Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Dan + Shay, Old Dominion and several other country music icons.
The Dreamlined Entertainment contract was accompanied by one with Fangate/Sony Music which supplies Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Tasmania and southwest Asia.
“I have a partner in Australia – a guy named Rob Potts, one of the most influential promoters in that part of the world,” Stegall said. “He has these mega music festivals – like CMC Rocks – once year.”
Davisson said the band has already worked with an Australian director in Nashville, filming some promos which incorporated some Aussie slang and a conversation about a music video shoot for “Po Boyz.” Like the song, the video shoot will fit the band to a T.
“Normally, they film in a studio atmosphere or a rented club in Nashville. They turn the lights on, you shoot and you’re done,” said Davisson. “But being The Davisson Brothers Band and taking pride in where we come from – our heritage and culture and all – we kind of suggested bringing the crew to West Virginia to shoot in our environment – where we come from.”
The first shoot is 8 p.m. today (Sunday) at Schmitts Saloon in Morgantown. Fans are invited to join the band, Director Steve Condon and The 10:10 Creative KSKM for the shoot.
“We hope to see as many people show up and support what we’re doing – representing the state of West Virginia,” Davisson said.
The video project continues 6 p.m. Monday at Bella's River Grill in Bowden and thereafter at Davis & Elkins College, among other locales.
“We’ll get a variety of shots, mix it together and Steve will take that compilation and turn it into something magical,” Reppert said.
Stegall believes the homegrown music video will help viewers in Australia – and everywhere – understand who the musicians are and where they come from by offering a peak into their personal lives.
“Before the record deal we were in the process of building fan bases and the boys have that part covered,” Stegall said. “Having a hit record takes that up a notch.”
DBB is grateful for their management dream team, but they are also extremely appreciative of their West Virginia fan base.
“Without the strong support we have at home from our loved ones and better halves, none of this would be possible,” Davisson said. “We would also like to thank the people of West Virginia for always having our back.”
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