Hired Hands is a trio of multi-talented musicians based in Taos, New Mexico, who deliver an eclectic blend of country oriented music, from folk ballads to hot swing tunes, with some bluegrass, cajun, two-steps, waltzes and R&B in beteween. Hired Hands performs this wide ranging repertoire with a primarily acoustic instrumentation including two acoustic guitars, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and harmonica as well as electric bass, all backing up their strong solo and harmony vocals.
Hired Hands was formed in the fall of 1992 in the fertile musical and artistic scene of Taos. Since then they have been performing throughout the northern New Mexico and Colorado area for enthusiastic audiences at clubs, concerts, and special events, rapidly earning a reputation as one of the top country-folk-bluegrass acts in the region.
In January of 1994, the band released their first CD and cassette on Howlin' Dog Records, a self-titled work featuring twelve of their most popular tunes from their stage act. The band's CD Stuff That Works was released in December of 1998 and received rave reviews from fans, friends, and fellow musicians alike. Their latest release Hands of Time continues and expands their tradition of excellent acoustic music.
Stuff That Works features the second main line-up of Hired Hands members, with Jim Bradley on bass and vocals, Don Richmond on guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and vocals, and Eddy Lee on guitar and vocals.
Jim Bradley provides the foundation for Hired Hands on bass guitar as well as covering lead and harmony vocals. Jim is widely recognized as one of the top bassists in the region and is in demand for both recording and performing dates. His powerful rhythmic and percussive playing provide the pulse for Hired Hands' energetic acoustic rhythms.
Don Richmond sings lead and harmony vocals and plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and harmonica with Hired Hands. His strong vocals and multi-instrumental skills help provide the musical range and variety that audiences appreciate in Hired Hands.
Eddy Lee is one of the best-known performers in northern New Mexico, being a veteran of several of the top acts in the region, including South by Southwest, Timberline Rose, Aces and Eights, and is also very popular as a solo artist. Eddy covers lead and harmony vocals for Hired Hands and contributes his strong and creative guitar work. He is also widely recognized as one of the premier songwriters in the region and Hired Hands includes several of his fine original songs in its repertoire. He co-wrote the song I Can Almost Hear Her Wings with Randy Travis, featured on Travis' 1996 release Full Circle.
Whether in a club, dance hall, concert, or studio setting, Hired Hands' talent, warmth, and energy comes through loud and clear. In the tradition of all great bands, the members' considerable individual strengths combine to form a whole truly greater than the sum of the parts.
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