The Bankesters • www.facebook.com/the.bankesters • Compass Records is excited to announce that The Bankesters have joined its roster of bluegrass artists. Phil and Dorene Bankester and their three daughters and son-in-law are known for some of the finest harmony singing in bluegrass music. They are currently at work gathering material for a new album to be produced by Alison Brown and tentatively slated for a fall 2013 release.

“This talented family band from Illinois has successfully navigated the most difficult hurdle facing groups of this kind: growing from a ‘cute kid’ act to a serious collection of young adult musicians,” says John Lawless of Bluegrass Today. In a short amount of time they have developed a unique sound that has drawn critical acclaim from across the bluegrass community. In 2012, Emily Bankester was also awarded the first International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Award for Vocalist of the Year.

Their 2012 release Looking Forward, produced by Steven Mougin (Sam Bush Band, Nedski and Mojo), was called one of the best of 2012 by Engine 145, praising the “angelic harmonies of sisters Melissa Triplett, Emily, and Alysha,” and the track “Looking Forward To Look Back” climbed to the #1 spot on the Bluegrass Today airplay chart in February.