January 8, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center presents the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Continue the experience with an ASC Social Club after-show party with drink specials and live music from Jason Bailey, winner of the ASC's open mic competition; all ticket holders are invited to attend. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25; student tickets are $20. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.

Young and blazingly talented musicians Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Paul Kowert (bass) formed Punch Brothers in 2006, taking the name from the Mark Twain short story, "Punch, Brothers, Punch!" They've been critically acclaimed since the release of their first album, "How to Grow a Woman from the Ground," which garnered them a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance.

The band has captured the attention of music lovers across genres. As the San Francisco Chronicle asks, "Why didn't someone think about mixing bluegrass, jazz and classical music together sooner? Chris Thile ... is doing it with his new outfit, Punch Brothers, and the result is totally mind-blowing." The band's 2007 release, "Punch," which features Thile's four-movement chamber suite, "The Blind Leaving the Blind," has received tremendous acclaim. Thile formerly played in Nickel Creek, with whom he released three albums selling two million records, won a Grammy Award in 2002 and traveled the world on sold-out tours. As a soloist he has released four albums, on which he conquered a dizzying range of instruments, songwriting challenges and musical styles.

This show, part of the Davis Architects American Voices Series, is sponsored by Reg's Coffee House, Live 100.5, WBHM, The Birmingham News, UAB and Viva Health.