The titans of folk, alt-country and Americana music known as the Ebony Hillbillies have released their anxiously awaited live album, “Slappin' a Rabbit – Live!” The record is a full-length LP comprising 10 tracks for an approximate listening time of 40 minutes. It has been proudly published on the EH Music independent music label. Jubilant, genuine, and red-blooded-American in a way only raw country music can express, “Slappin' a Rabbit...” proves that the Ebony Hillbillies aren't just playing the music of yesteryear – they're evidence that it's very much alive.

The NYC-based Ebony Hillbillies cite as artistic influences Murph Gribble, Mississippi Sheiks, Canray Fontenot, Doc Roberts, Dennis Murphy, Leonard Bowles, James Brown, Willie Dixon, and other legends of the North-American music tradition.

“This is another slice of Americana,” the Ebony Hillbillies say of their style. “We're trying to bring back 'porch music!' The idea of bringing people together is what we are all about. This music is infectious and the impetus of what we call American music.”

This goal of unifying the people isn't just a dream, either. The Ebony Hillbillies write and perform their music with the principle guiding every movement and phrase.

“It's got it all in there,” they explain. “Pop, jazz, folk, country, blues, funk, R&B, dance, Native-American, African, Irish, etc… It's truly American music – a melting pot. That is what we are, warts and all: real Americana!”

The band goes on to describe their overarching philosophy behind not just their own music, but of all American music. They explain that the music of the United States isn't based on exclusivity and individualism, but rather, a tendency to bring in, to appreciate, and to synthesize.

“Since our music [represents] the basics of all American-based music, the songs are just that – everything! In the early string-band tradition, no repertoire was off-limits. They played everything. As we play everything!”

The Ebony Hillbillies have been called “the toast of the North.” Their history of prominent performances includes venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, international music workshops and festivals, collaborations with popular visual artists and museums (Kara Walker, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian, etc.) and on television networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS and the BBC.

North-Carolina favorites the Carolina Chocolate Drops have cited the Ebony Hillbillies as key inspirations, and the Pete Seeger family have given them enthusiastic accolades. The history of the Ebony Hillbillies is a trail of critical and fan approbation and rousing, universal applause.

Their current official bio describes them as “consisting of fiddle, banjo, washboard and bass fiddle …

they have successfully created a following that has bridged a gap in audiences in pop, country, bluegrass, folk, jazz and beyond while maintaing their grassroots credibility.”

Credibility, nothing. The Ebony Hillbillies don't play music that once was – they've brought this American sound through time, thrumming, jumping and alive, to the thrilling ears and dancing feet of discerning audiences of today.

“Slappin' a Rabbit – Live!” by the Ebony Hillbillies is available online worldwide. Get in early, music fans. Very early.

-S. McCauley

Lead Press Release Writer

www.MondoTunes.com

“Slappin' a Rabbit – Live!” by the Ebony Hillbillies –

http://www.amazon.com/Slappin-Rabbit-Live-EBONY-HILLBILLIES/dp/B00VR54AVW/

Website –

www.TheEbonyHillbillies.com

“What a wonderful connection to all our humanity.” – The New York Times
“They are the real Y'alternative!” – Creative Loafing
“They provide NYC's soundtrack…” – LA Times
“They get double takes, if not full pauses when they play!” – The Wall Street Journal

Be sure also to see the Ebony Hillbillies on the new BBC documentary, “Blues America,” featuring Keith Richards, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, and Chuck D.