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About Us
"There's a thinking side
to what we do... The Campbell Brothers present Sacred Steel: African-American gospel music with electric steel guitar and vocal. This tradition is just now emerging from the House of God Keith Dominion Church, where for over sixty years it has been an integral part of worship and a vital, if little known, American tradition. As the music moves from sanctuary to concert hall -- including the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Symphony Space -- secular audiences are now able to appreciate a performance both devoted and rocking. Pedal steel guitarist Chuck Campbell and his lap steel-playing brother Darick are two of the finest in this tradition. Rounding out the band, which has been playing together for nearly two decades, is a high-energy rhythm section featuring brother Phil Campbell on electric guitar and his son Carlton on drums. Katie Jackson's classic, gutsy gospel vocals bring the ensemble to a level of energy and expression that defies description. The Campbell Brothers present a compelling, rich variety of material from the African-American Holiness-Pentecostal repertoire with a new twist: the growling, wailing, shouting, singing and swinging voice of the steel guitar, played as you have never heard it played before.
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Chuck
Campbell began playing the lap steel guitar at the age of
12. At the age of 17 he became one of the first players to utilize
the Pedal Steel guitar in the 
Darick
Campbell first made his mark in music as a drummer. For
several years Darick was the premier drummer of the General
Assembly, the National Convocation of the 
Phillip
Campbell began life as a drummer but quickly proceeded to
the instrument which is arguably his most accomplished, the
bass guitar. It was on the bass that Phil began to explore the
many genres which form his eclectic musical personality. As
his self-taught explorations took him into bass chord harmonics
and figures, Phil began to look at the other instruments which
lent themselves to chordal progressions which would express
his melodic tastes and further compliment the Sacred Steel playing
of his brothers. The guitar became the weapon of choice because
of its ability to drive the music. Phil now combines the rhythmic
attributes of the guitar with MIDI guitar synthesis to bring
a unique stylistic blend, which perfectly compliments the Steels
across all genres into which they venture. Phil's work as a
songwriter has also been recognized. His song, Breakthrough,
has been published in Germany for an upcoming Gospel compilation
CD.
Drummer
Carl Campbell is the heartbeat of the Campbell Brothers.
Carl and dad, Phil, form the rhythmic foundation upon which
The Campbell Brothers soulful Gospel is built. Formally trained
in Jazz and Band Percussion, Carlton has been able to assimilate
the classic rudiments of drumming with his improvisational upbringing
in Church to formulate a style which always finds itself in
the groove. Carlton continues to stretch his boundaries by studying
the Sacred Steel tradition on his own double neck Fender String
Master as he pursues his dream of being a "Campbell Brother".
Even
though Denise Brown is a cousin of the Campbell Brothers
there isn't any nepotism at work here. Silky smooth is the most
commonly used description of this outstanding vocalist's singing.
Her renditions of Don't Let The Devil Ride have
garnered ovations across the United States, Europe and Africa.
However her favorite song, The Storm Is Passing Over,
has become an audience favorite as well. As she continues to
develop her style and push her artistic boundaries, look for
Denise's work to become even more compelling than it is today.
The
fact that Katie Jackson is a part of the Campbell Brothers
is the result of unbelievably good fortune. She just happened
to be "available" when the Campbell Brothers asked
her to be the Vocalist on their critically acclaimed Pass
Me Not disc. Indeed Katie Jackson has shared the stage
with some of Gospel's most famous singers, including Mahalia
Jackson (no relation) and is well renowned throughout the Eastern
United States for performances she has given in numerous venues.
As a vocalist in the 
Diversity
might be the best the word to describe Malcolm Kirby Jr.'s
adaptive musical persona. After spending two years at Manhattan
School of Music, Malcolm finished his bachelors in jazz performance
at the Eastman School of Music. Soon after college, Malcolm
and long time friend Jim Martin created the music production
company known as 456, joined the Campbell Brothers, was playing
with the Respect Sextet, and was working fulltime as a freelance
bass player. Malcolm's wide range of musical interests are
apparent in his body of work; classically trained, jazz bassist,
hip-production/mixing for Shady/Aftermath "The Game",
commercial t.v. work for Vogue/Mercedes-Benz/GMC/Bravo, pop-dance
remixing for Duran Duran/Britney Spears, and mixing/mastering
a violin and koto duo album for the classical label Naxos.
Malcolm has worked professionally as a musician, private teacher,
as well as serving many roles in the studio environment; engineer,
producer, ProTools operator, and session musician. As a professional
musician he has performed and recorded with many great musicians
such as Fred Wesley, Marcus Printup, Shelly Berg, Steve Gadd,
John Medeski, The Campbell Brothers, Ben Monder, Clay Jenkins,
Toshi Nagai, Jon Faddis, Robben Ford, Derek Trucks, Sonny
Landreth, Respect Sextet, and many others. As a co-founder
of 456 Productions, he has done work for Fox TV, ESPN, VH1,
Warner Brothers, Jive Records, MTV, Electronic Arts, and many
others.