The Bankester Family is one of 13 acts invited as an official showcase artist for next week’s World Of Bluegrass in Nashville. To take full advantage of this opportunity, they have timed the release of their first music video for this week, while all eyes are on IBMA.

The video is for Carolina Rain, from their current CD, Somewhere In Between. It was written by Becky Buller, and directed by Demetria Kolodimas and Carlos Torres of Genuine Human Productions.

It features eldest daughter Melissa as the lead vocalist, who plays bass with the group. Her husband Kyle Triplett plays banjo, with sisters Lindsey on mandolin, and Emily and Alysha on fiddles. Dad (Phil) and Mom (Dorene) both play guitar.

Phil tells us that they got their start in 2004 from humble beginnings.

“The Bankester Family really is one of those bands that was discovered in the parking lot at a small bluegrass festival. We only knew two songs at the time, but it was enough to get us hired for our first gig.”

Five years, hundreds of shows, thousands of miles, eleven states, two CDs, two vans and one son-in-law later, the family has matured into an fine band, as evidenced by their selection out of 120 entrants to showcase at IBMA this year.

Their showcase performance is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 9:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Renaissance Hotel.

Here’s the video…

Phil also pointed out that Carlos and other members of the Genuine Human production team will be prowling around during IBMA, shooting concert footage and interviews for an upcoming remake of Discover Bluegrass, a DVD produced several years ago as a companion to the Bluegrass in the Schools curriculum.