THE HAYES BROTHERS

Mike and Pete Hayes were born in Henley-on-Thames in England in the early 1940′s. They moved to Australia in the late 40′s, living in Bacchus Marsh for seven year before moving to Melbourne  . By the 1960′s the brothers were performing together as The Bluegrass Ramblers. Shortly after that the couple expanded the band to become the Hayes Brothers, a bluegrass band which performed together for many years. They released two albums and are widely recognised as the first bluegrass band to perform in Australia.

Another family band at the time, The Hawking Brothers featured Russ and Alan Hawking. Pete Hayes also sang with the Hawking Brothers band for around two years, after the death of Russ Hawking in 1976. Pete Hayes settled in Melbourne in 1978 and he and his brother were inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame. Pete Hayes continued to record with a range of local and international artists including, The Hawking Brothers, The Howie Brothers, Saltbush, Lee Conway, Lionel Rose, Johnny Chester and Charlie Pride. Mike Hayes and wife his Janet began an ABC radio series, The Prickle Farm from their property at Gundaroo, near Canberra. The popular radio program translated into a successful TV series. 

In the late 90s Pete recorded 'Life Goes On', a solo album on which he played every instrument and sang every note. With fellow Victorian musicians Bernie O’Brien, Laurie Allen and Harold Frith, Pete recorded an album, 'Nite Trane' as the Rockabilly, Beatin’ Boogie Band. Pete wrote the song, ''Everything To Me'', and contributed vocals, bass, banjo and fiddle. The band played a couple of gigs in Tamworth during the festival, entered and won a talent quest, which thrilled the Victorian veterans no end. The group disbanded after returning from Tamworth. In Pete returned to Tamworth, playing in Andy Baylor’s Cajun Combo and with the band, Hillbilly Lovechild. Mike Hayes died on the 10th of February 2003 and that same year his brother Pete died on the 1st of December.

Members

Mike Hayes (mandolin), Pete Hayes (banjo), Roy Taylor (fiddle), Alan Pope (bass), George Taylor (guitar) Doug Wallace (guitar)

SINGLES

''Rambling Boy /What'Cha Gonna Do'' [with Doug Owen] W&G 1964

Have You Lost All The Love You Had For Me / Hot Corn'' 1968 W&G

ALBUMS

'At The Copper Inne' [with Doug Owen] 1964 W&G

'Bluegrass Ramble' 1967 W&G

References

http://australianbluegrass.com/profiles/index.php/the-hayes-brothers/