Brotherly bands bring sounds of the south to the ‘Bird

Two family-oriented bands with southern roots graced the angular stage at The Bluebird Friday night. \nThe Springfield, Mo.-based band Big Smith was the main event, playing with a mix of rock, bluegrass and gospel influences. \nLocal group The Payton Brothers Band warmed up the crowd with “part hillbilly, part rock” music. \nAbout 100 people were in the stage area of the Bluebird when the Payton Brothers began playing. \nMartinsville residents Jay and Kate Knox said they came to see Big Smith after learning about the band from the documentary “Homemade Hillbilly Jam.” \n“I didn’t want to sit at home and watch ‘Cops’, so I started looking for things to do,” Kate Knox said. \nThe audience reception was warm for both bands, and spectators danced and clapped along. As Big Smith got into its set, what could only be described as a hoedown erupted in the crowd, as many attendees swung each other around to the group’s infectious tunes. \nBoth bands developed their unique sound from their Arkansas and Missouri roots. Besides their regional inspiration, both groups rely on family ties to originate their sound. \nThe Payton Brothers is composed of brothers Ryan Payton, 25, and Jason Payton, 27, as well as their cousin, Grady Ferguson, 21, the bassist, who is their childhood friend, Matt Floyd, 21, the drummer. Ryan and Jason Payton are the vocalists, guitarists and primary songwriters for the band.\nAll the members of Big Smith are first cousins, and there are two sets of brothers in the band. The band is made up of brothers Mark and Jody Bilyeu, brothers Bill and Rik Thomas, and Jay Williamson. Guest violinist Molly Healey also joined the band Friday.\nRyan and Jason Payton lived in Arkansas for five years, and earlier incarnations of their band played several times with Big Smith.\n “(Bluegrass is) my identity,” Jason Payton said. “It doesn’t pay all our bills, but we’ve had periods where it does.”\nFor Big Smith, the love of bluegrass music was passed on through their family, Williamson said. Although each member of the band has eclectic tastes in music, they share a common bond of musical heritage as family members.\nThis heritage was evident during Big Smith’s set, particularly when Rik Thomas moved from behind the drum set, strapped on an acoustic guitar and told the audience, “This is a slow, sweet gospel song my Mommy taught me.” \nFans also embraced the influence bluegrass had on their upbringing.\n“We both have been listening to bluegrass since we were young,” Kate Knox said.\n“It’s always been there,” Jay Knox added. \nJason Payton said the type of crowd that was most receptive to their type of music wasn’t put out by the use of the word hillbilly.\n“We think that’s a good thing,” he said. \nThough he said he understood that their country-inflected music tended to draw an older crowd, and the band loved their fans, he said he and the other members would enjoy seeing a younger crowd at their shows as well.\n“We’d love to see more college kids,” Jason Payton said. “Beyond that, I really think it’s worth supporting local music. We really support the local scene and wherever we go, we want to make Bloomington proud.”\nThe Payton Brothers and Big Smith will play at the Bluebird again March 10.