BAND BIO

• JULIE SMITH ~
  With over 23 years of experience in the music scene in various bands, Julie is a true southern country and rock singer who started her career providing lead vocals for the Classic Rock Cover band MeanStreak. At just 7 years old Julie knew she was destined to be a vocalist when she saw The Judds perform on the Ralph Emory Show in 1980. With other influencing Country artists like Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash along with newer influences like Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Gretchen Wilson and Zach Top, along with her Rock & Roll influences like The Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin and Etta James, these musical  inspirations combined with her dynamic, soulful vocals and sweet harmonies provides a Timeless but Modern Vintage experience that stops people in their tracks and leaves the audience captivated and longing for more. Julie's passion for story telling through music can be felt as she sings. Back to Basics takes her back to her roots- back to where her love of music all began.

CARLTON DEAUMAN ~

 Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas in a little neighborhood called Sun Valley, Carlton knew at just 9 years old he was destined to be a musician when he heard The Beatles make their American debut in 1964. He started his own musical journey a short time later learning to play the guitar. At age 15 Carlton joined his first band that was formed by two brothers he was friends with and their Dad. They called themselves the Sun Valley Boys. They began their journey as a band playing private parties and with a note from his parents to be able to gain access to some of the local clubs such as The Hide Away, The Saw Mill and Cowboy City. In his early 20’s, Carlton began cutting his teeth and gaining prestigious experiences playing little Clubs and Dive bars down on Jacksboro Hwy. Carlton is still continuing his musical journey and career after 60+ years. He has played lead guitar in various bands in Texas while still honing and perfecting his talent along the way. With his intricate, crisp and precise finger picking, soulful solos, dynamic vocals combined with his vibrant, rich harmonies and high energy rhythm makes Carlton a driving force on stage. Along with The Beatles inspiring him to pursue his love of music, his other inspirations include Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, The Allman Brothers Band, Eddy Raven, Earl Thomas Conley and The Mavericks and many many more. Carlton is a force to be reckoned with providing an awe-inspiring sound that contributes to his Country roots and Vintage Rock & Roll spirit that brings a vibrant enthusiasm and a fresh new sound to the Back To Basics Band.

•  Classic yet current, an unexpected familiarity is wrapped up in this acoustic duo- raw & real and vibrant, Back to Basics leaves it all on the stage. They cover over 40 artists, bringing a high energy musical variety to each set.