“Reable’s Bender,” an impressive new focus track from banjoist Trevor Watson is a unique instrumental piece with a fascinating backstory dating back to the 1940s. “Reable’s Bender’ is a song I wrote as a tribute to my 1940 TB-00 Gibson banjo that I named Reable (pronounced rebel). Reable Childs, convict #83327, was incarcerated in Huntsville, Texas at the time my banjo left the Gibson factory on April 29, 1940 and shipped to the Texas Prison Systems. She was in prison as an accessory in the murder of her husband. She played multiple instruments, including banjo, in the prison band. I don’t know if she actually ever played my banjo, but it makes for a cool name and story,” explained Watson.
‘Reable’s Bender’ is a showcase of the collective talents of Trevor Watson on banjo, Ron Inscore on mandolin, Shannon Slaughter on guitar, Tracy Burcham on electric bass, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, and Gary Hultman on resophonic guitar. Their combined efforts have resulted in a track that is sure to captivate you.
“Reable’s Bender” appears on Watson’s current album Out of the Shadows released last November and is available to radio programmers at Airplay Direct. Music fans can stream or purchase the song at all major outlets.
“It’s a really cool melody that allows Trevor to use his tuners, which he is masterful at! I’ve always been impressed with Trev’s abilities on the banjo with improvisation and tuning. He really shows out here,” says Slaughter. “Trevor has been one of my favorite banjo players for over 30 years now. He’s such a talented musician, largely due to his sense of tone, taste, and timing. There’s a reason he’s played a feature role on most all my songs and still plays in my band. Quite simply, he’s one of the best banjo players on the planet.”
Much has been written about Reable Childs, so bluegrass music fans and especially banjo enthusiasts may want to check out Wide Open Country’s story, “The Goree Girls: The Story Behind the Best Prison Band in Texas History.”
Trevor Watson’ is a graduate of Virginia Tech and began his career as a cast member at The Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2003, he joined Lou Reid & Carolina, where he stayed until 2018. He also filled in with the Seldom Scene for a six-month tour before Ben Eldridge officially retired in 2015. Since college, Trevor has remained friends with Shannon Slaughter and recorded on all but one of Slaughter’s highly acclaimed and chart-topping solo projects. They were together in Lou Reid’s band for four years, and Trevor continues to record and tour with Slaughter.
For more information on Trevor Watson, please visit twitter.com/trevorwatson, facebook.com/TrevorWatsonMusic, and instagram.com/banjotrev.
