The Payne Brothers

The Payne Brothers Band of Florida is one of the south’s finest original bands and has played continuously for over 30 years. Their sound is a unique blend of blues, rock and jazz that comes directly out of the experience of living in America’s delta southlands. Beginning with the musical traditions started by Louis Armstrong and Muddy Waters on thru to Ray Charles and the Allman Brothers, the Band uses these firm roots and builds on them in ways that reflect today’s changing world and times. The entire Payne family moved to Florida from Missouri when the brothers were all still children. From the beginning, music meant a celebration of life to the boys, who enjoyed coming up with new entertaining songs. With Gene on vocals and percussion, Joe on vocals, slide guitar, guitar and harmonica, Larry on vocals and guitar, and Gary on vocals and bass, the brothers all contribute their talents to create their own special sound with an energy that fills the air in ways that only years of playing sweet music together with your family can forge. On occasion, the singing group, the Paynettes, consisting of other family members, make special appearances with the Band, as does Randall Wright, a nephew of the Paynes who’s singing talents will ensure the continuation and success of the next generation of the Payne Brothers Band. Chris Trimblett became a welcome addition to the Payne Brothers as a vocalist and piano player in 2000 and plays a variety of other instruments for them as well. Chris was born in Newark, New Jersey to a family who’s love of music and song were always a big part of everyday life, much as it is with the Payne’s. Some of Chris’ diverse musical experiences prior to joining the Payne Brothers Band include producing recordings for German pop singer Krisha, harpist Verlon Eason, and Molly Hatchet guitarist Duane Roland. As a performer, Chris has played with the Cab Calloway Orchestra, comedian Sam Kinison and was a member of the Atlantic City Expressway with singer Jon Bon Jovi. Chris also serves as the producer and engineer on the Payne Brother’s recordings. As the Payne Brother’s drummer, Ray Catheline’s strengths have made the Band sound better than ever. Ray’s solid and steady rhythms have taken him all over the world, starting in the 1960′s with the Human Beins and continuing with the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Marty Robbins and Conway Twitty, among others. Ray, who grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, has called Florida home for decades now. The Payne Brothers Band have been known to be notoriously rough on drummers in their past, there’s a seemingly endless amount of songs they know to keep up with, some brand new, while others drift in and out of the Band’s sets and don’t get played for years, only to reappear on any night without notice. It has driven other drummers to early madness. Ray was Baptized in this fire and has come out the other side as cool as a cat layin’ on a marble table. The Payne Brothers all dig groovin’ on his driving beats and feel most fortunate to have him in the Band. Ray became the Payne Brother’s drummer in 2007.