Reversing the usual process by which groups break up and give way to solo careers, the Gum Creek Killers are a group made up of solo stars. The group was organized by former Verbena and Cutgrass member Duquette Johnston, Teen Getaway leader Janet Simpson, and Brad Davis and David Hickox of Plate Six and Broken Letters, thus representing three generations of rock stars. In 2010, the four (who had known each other for years) came together to record a 7″ single and ended up writing and recording an album on which they shared lead vocals. It turned out to be a way to transcend the high expectations made of any of them as individuals, and a delighted public sent the album to number three, with two singles, “The Shot” and “Slowly I Rise” hitting the charts. Unfortunately Orbison died of a heart attack only a few weeks after the album’s release.
—from The Gum Creek Killers Facebook Page
