Texas Elderly Brothers selected for Gatesville Country Music Hall of Fame

When Robbis Storm found out his Lampasas-based band was going to be inducted into the Gatesville Country Music Hall of Fame, he was thrilled and honored, he said.

His band, The Texas Elderly Brothers, will perform July 16 at the Gatesville City Auditorium. The show is at 7 p.m. and offers free admission. The Hall of Fame takes donations for the band.

Roger Vierse, director of the Hall of Fame, said the band was supposed to be inducted last year, but Gatesville canceled events due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Elderly Brothers’ upcoming performance will be the first since the Hall of Fame shut down.

Vierse said to be inducted, a band or performer must serve for three years as an honorary member. During that time, the band or performer is examined professionally and ethically. The Hall of Fame selects people with high integrity, and an ability to play and sing well, he said.

Vierse also said strict rules are enforced at the music venue. No alcohol or drugs can be advertised, and the performances are always clean.

“It’s a great crowd, they really enjoy our music, and we love playing for them,” Storm said.

The five-man band plays Rock ‘n’ Roll and features the signature music of notables such as Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys and the Beatles. Storm says he particularly enjoys performing Elvis tunes and bluesy music.

The band name is a play on The Everly Brothers, whose music they also play.

“It makes sense, since all of us are old,” said the 76-year-old Storm. He said of drummer Pete Henniger, “I think he’s 61, so he’s just a kid.”

Band member Trent Lancaster said he and Storm are in their 70s, and the rest of the band members are in their 60s.

The Elderly Brothers also play the music of country artists, such as Bob Wills and Hank Williams. Storm plays the keyboard, harmonica and guitar. Trent Lancaster plays the lead guitar, and his brother Zane plays guitar. Clark Corbin plays the bass.

The musicians all sing, except for drummer Henniger. Lancaster said their strength is in vocal harmonies. They try to pick songs with harmonizing vocal parts.

“None of us are bona fide musicians,” he said. “You know, we couldn’t go out on stage individually and impress anybody,” but he noted that good harmony is unique.

All five band members are from Lampasas, and all except Henniger went to the same church as kids, where they formed their musical roots. Only Storm is no longer a Lampasas resident.

Lancaster and Storm, who are cousins, have been making music together for more than 60 years, Storm said. Lancaster recounted that they would sing together in the dorm at college.

The Elderly Brothers band played its first official gig in 2016. Before that, they would get together to sing on a casual basis.

“We were just getting together and playing songs that we knew, and we kinda gelled as a group,” Storm said. “Clark, our bass player and singer, said, ‘Why don’t we play together in public?’ ”

They have performed at chamber of commerce banquets, private parties and festivals; at local restaurants like the Twisted Oak, Storm’s Drive-In, Bill’s Burgers and Mama’s Kitchen; and annually at the Diamondback Jubilee rattlesnake roundup in Lometa, Storm said.

He said he loves to look into the audience and see people nodding and singing along to the music. Sometimes people dance, too – even kids.

Vierse said the Gatesville Country Music Hall of Fame started in 2007 and has about 84 lifetime members, not including the honorary inductees. Inductees include the late Buddy Ferguson, a guitarist; The Erwins, a sibling singing group; and singer George Allison. He said diverse performers from all walks of life are included.

Storm said The Elderly Brothers have talked about recording a CD, but they do not have grand illusions about TV appearances or a contract.

“We plan to really enjoy our lives, have a good time and make all the music we can make,” he said. “When we please people and they come to hear us, that makes us really happy.”