GB Roots

GB roots started off with a set of high energy blues rock full of big riffs and  beautiful slide guitar solos and that killer bass groove. Bassist Kirby Barber and her husband Dave Barber were locked in with drummer Pat Steward. They played several covers of the likes of Jeff Beck and some catchy, riff heavy original music and even brought out the banjo for a more country/bluegrass  tinged number.
They had never played a show with Semple before, but played so well they sounded like like they grew up with him.

Wed, 25 September 2013 - by Richard Amery, LA Beat Editor

http://www.labeat.ca/index.php?view=article&catid=1%3Alatest-news&id=3133%3Ajack-semple-tears-ears-off-at-the-casino&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=50 - LA Beat

GB roots started off with a set of high energy blues rock full of big riffs and  beautiful slide guitar solos and that killer bass groove. Bassist Kirby Barber and her husband Dave Barber were locked in with drummer Pat Steward. They played several covers of the likes of Jeff Beck and some catchy, riff heavy original music and even brought out the banjo for a more country/bluegrass  tinged number.
They had never played a show with Semple before, but played so well they sounded like like they grew up with him.

Wed, 25 September 2013 - by Richard Amery, LA Beat Editor
http://www.labeat.ca/index.php?view=article&catid=1%3Alatest-news&id=3133%3Ajack-semple-tears-ears-off-at-the-casino&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=50 - LA Beat

"GB Roots" are by far one of the best in the business. Incredible chemisty, amazing talent, and originality is what make up this killer Band"-Philp Muz, Booking agent, Edmonton, AB - Booking Agent

“As an Edmonton reporter and photographer, I have watched these two fine musicians and vocalists (GB Roots), really come on their own. Having witnessed their talent, dedication and drive, these two fine individuals will forge a distinct and note worthy career.”
-Bill Bogwardt, Editor Country Music News Canada Publications - Country Music News

David Barber, Kirby Green & band of GB Roots were a pleasure to have at Apex Casino performing on several occasions this past year. David & Kirby are professional to work with and put on an excellent show. Their experience in the industry and talent as performers really show when they get on stage.

This group keeps the audience entertained all night long and with the wide mix of music they have to offer, they know how to tailor their sets to keep guests smiling and singing along.

I would recommend GB Roots to any venue that is looking for a great entertaining show!
Regards,
Michelle Barstad
780-590-1130
Events & Marketing Coordinator
Apex Casino - Apex Casino

G.B. Roots - The Key (Independent)
G.B. Roots is Canadian duo Dave Barber (guitar, banjo) and female bass player Kirby Green. The both sing. Together they blend ballsy blues-rock with an atmospheric, rootsier edge, and they’ve recently been announced the 2012 Young Blues Artist of the Year. It’s easy to understand their appeal. Blues duos have been all the rage since the White Stripes sold a million, and G.B. Roots sound like progression – a sound evolved. Indeed, they somehow manage to sound raw and urgent without sacrificing luster, and in Green they’ve got a vocalist with a sassy, uncompromising delivery. It’s powerful and hardnosed, but grooves like the best blues-rock should.
The album begins with the African American spiritual “Swing Low”. A choral intro gives way the duo’s heavy, slinky method, and the attraction is instant. Barber takes lead vocal and entwines some banjo echo around guitar chords. It’s an unexpected but quite exceptional opening. The title track, with Green taking lead, is measured and unhurried but builds in a most pleasing way, and “Shady Grove” combines Barber’s twangy blues guitar with Green’s finest vocal. It’s a killer track, and should be heard by blues fans everywhere. In fact, it transcends the constraints of genre and deserves to find an audience amongst music fans, period.
www.gbroots.com
Rob F. Leicester Bangs - http://leicesterbangs.blogspot.ca/search?q=g.b.+roots

Former Leask resident nominated for WCMA
September 13, 2012 | Filed under: IN THE NEWS | Posted by: Administrator
The past year has been a whirlwind of excitement for former Leask area resident David Barber. He and his wife Kirby Green, collectively known as GB Roots, are nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for their debut album The Key. Last weekend they returned to their old hometown of Edmonton to back up CCMA male vocalist of the year Dean Brody at the halftime show of the CFL’s tilt between the Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders before playing a show as GB Roots at a local pub.

“It was funny, going from playing for 40,000 people and then the next night your playing for like 80 people in a pub some where. That’s the great thing about playing music,” said Barber.

“To me it’s all fun, I enjoyed the pub gig just as much as I enjoyed the big gig.” Despite their young age — Barber is 26 and Green is 24, the duo are seasoned stage veterans who have backed up performers like Michelle Wright, Jason McCoy and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

With all of their stage experience, nerves don’t really factor into the equation.

“I used to get super nervous about going on stage but now, once you’re on there, it is the most comfortable you can ever really feel,” said Barber.

But that calm doesn’t come easily as both performers put countless hours into practicing for every opportunity they get. They both realize that every performance is like a living resume and the decision to hire is revisited every time they perform.

Barber began performing in front of crowds with his banjo at the age of 13 and has played guitar as a source of income since his first year of music school at Grant McEwan College when he was 19 while Green began freelancing as a bassist at around the same age.

After a few years of playing guitar, banjo and bass for other bands, Barber and Green decided to form their own band, write their own songs and record a demo. The demo won them Rawlco Radio’s 10 for 20 grant which allowed them to record a full length CD.

According to Barber, the grant afforded them the freedom to play the music they wanted to play with no strings attached.

“It was cool that with this grant we could really do what we wanted to do, they didn’t say we needed to sound like this or that,” said Barber.

At the time, the couple were moving out west to Vancouver and made the connection with Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio. Recording in the same studio as Metallica, AC/DC and Elton John would have normally been out of reach for these young artists but they were able to strike a deal during the facility’s down time and get the professional recording they wanted.

“The Key” was recorded over the winter and was released to itunes this spring. The album is also available through their website www.gbroots.com.

Earlier this summer, the group was notified that it had been nominated for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Recording of the Year. The awards take place September 30 at Casino Regina. Though the young modern blues band doesn’t necessarily fit the traditional gospel sound, some of their song writing comes from a religious place.

While Green says that much of her song writing has some religious undertones the music itself doesn’t sound like traditional gospel.

She will be at the awards backing up fellow award nominee Tenille while Barber stays in Vancouver where the couple manages and teaches at a music school.

- Shellbrook Chronicle - Sept 13,2012