The career of the Malpass Brothers, Christopher and Taylor, is right in step with those of the country music stars they have idolized since they were children. The siblings were introduced to country music by their grandfather who taught them the songs of Hank Williams, Sr., Porter Wagoner and Ernest Tubb whose music they have tried to perpetuate. He also taught them to play the songs of Grammy Award winner, BMI icon and Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard who was to play an important role in their careers. The brothers have opened for Haggard across the USA and Canada, and appeared onstage with Willie Nelson, Hal Ketchum and Doc Watson among other country music greats.



The Malpass Brothers hail from Hillsboro, North Carolina, USA and started when Christopher, the elder of the two, began performing solo at seven years old. Coming from a church-going family, their band blends in a lot of gospel music with traditional country which is the hallmark of their sound. Taylor Malpass says that they eschew the different variations of country music that have risen through the years and try to keep traditional country music alive. “The older stuff is really what we are carriers of”, he states. Christopher handles lead vocals most of the time except for those songs which are the favorites of Taylor. Music with his Gibson mandolin is Taylor's forte although his electric guitar sometimes comes into play.


Their big break came when The Malpass Brothers opened for Merle Haggard in North Carolina in 2008. In addition to the impression that the brothers' music made on him, Christopher reminded Haggard of Lewis Tally who had signed up Haggard for a recording contract in the 60's. Within weeks, the Malpass Brothers were part of Haggard's gigs. When not with Haggard, the brothers perform with their own band, bringing to fans around the country the sounds of their heroes like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jimmie Rodgers, Waylon Jennings and Ernest Tubb. The brothers are backed by a hot band that includes their father on upright bass.


Gospel music has a favorite spot in the repertoire of the Malpass Brothers. They staged a live gospel concert at the Methodist Church in Seven Springs, North Carolina which was recorded and released as one of their five albums. Performances at church homecomings are a regular part of their circuit in addition to traditional music festivals. Overseas, the Malpass Brothers perform in roots music programs in Scotland and Ireland. They were special guests at the 10th Thomas Fraser Festival held in honor of the Country and Western and R&B musician from the Shetland Isles. For the Malpass Brothers, following in the footsteps of their idols is a continuing journey, regardless of where those idols might be.



Check out their video on ItsCountry and catch them on Frank McHugh''s Radio show That's Country every Sunday 12 noon - 3 pm streamed live.