The Hillbilly Thomists
Taking its members from the Province of St. Joseph, a Northeastern division of the Order of Preachers, the Hillbilly Thomists are a ten-piece traditional folk and bluegrass band made up of Dominican Friars. Founded by Fathers Austin Litke (mandolin, guitar, vocals) and Thomas Joseph White (banjo, dulcimer, vocals), this unusual group takes its name from a phrase by American writer Flannery O'Connor, whose own affection for the 13th century's Saint Thomas Aquinas is shared by this amiable brotherhood of pickers and singers. The group initially began as a joyful creative outlet for Fr. Litke and Fr. White, who enjoyed playing traditional Irish tunes together. As the group swelled with the interest of some of the younger brothers of the order, they began to gravitate toward the kind of American folk traditions celebrated on the Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack, adapting hymns and finding songs that were rich with scriptural and spiritual references. In 2017, the Hillbilly Thomists decided to put their growing repertoire to tape and recorded their eponymous first album, which included traditional classics like "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." The album became a surprise success, reaching the Top Ten on Billboard's Bluegrass chart.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
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Discography
3 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Holy Ghost Power
Pop - Released by Dominicana Records on 7 Jul 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Living for the Other Side
Folk - Released by Dominicana Records on 28 Jan 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Hillbilly Thomists
Folk - Released by Dominicana Records on 5 Dec 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo