Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, John Stanislawski
The Bur Oak 2262 Winnebago St., Madison, Wisconsin 53704
Tall and Small Photography
Nate Gibson
media release: Nate Gibson literally wrote the book on Starday Records, country music's largest independent record label in the 1950s and ‘60s (The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built), and has since been keeping that golden era of country music alive as co-host of WORT's Back to the Country program and in his live performances. His recordings have been released on Bear Family Records (Germany), Swelltune Records, Goofin’ Records (Finland), and Cow Island Music and his latest release, Nate Gibson & the Stars of Starday, features him duetting with 14 Starday legends while accompanied by Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and members of his Fabulous Superlatives band. The album was selected by Country Music People as a “Top 10 Record Release of 2019.”
Gibson took a break from performing during the pandemic, but is once again performing live shows with a dynamic band behind him. The Stardazers feature the electrifying guitar of Andrew Harrison (Joe Pug, Brown Derby, Whitney Mann, Pupy Costello and the New Hiram Kings), “Spider” Mike Hobson (Gin Palace Jesters, Bailey Dee, Deals Gone Bad) on upright bass, and Eric Salisbury (The Ramble, Loving Cup) on percussion. They’ll be bringing their unique twist on honky tonk, western swing, rockabilly, and country music to the Bur Oak on April 19th.
John Stanislawski
John Stanislawski’s most recent release, “Catch My Breath,” reveals his affinity for lush country-infused textures and stylistic roots in what Gram Parsons famously called “Cosmic American Music.” Driven ardently by multi-instrumentalist and producer Graham Bechler’s minimalist drums and awash with the rich enveloping warmth of Brett Resnick’s (Kacey Musgraves, Kelsey Waldon) steel guitar, “Catch My Breath” plunges listeners into those cosmic swirling depths showcasing Stanislawski’s passionate vocals and nuanced lyricism.
Born in central Wisconsin, Stanislawski honed his instrumental skills amidst a steady diet of Sam Cooke, George Jones (and Strait), Hendrix, and Frederic Chopin, yet found his deepest musical and spiritual connection to late 60s country-rock pioneer, Gram Parsons. While attending graduate school at the University of Illinois, Stanislawski formed Sonny Stubble, a five-piece Americana roots band anchored by the group’s love of groove and tight vocal harmonies. After the band’s three-year run came to end in 2015, Stanislawski’s next big jump was a move to Nashville in early 2016 where he honed his skills as a songwriter. Just recently, Stanislawski moved back to his home state of Wisconsin with his wife and newborn baby.