Musician Spotlight: The Broad Pickup's
The Broad Pickup’s have been making music since 2009, with the two original members Brice Reese and Cotie Gillion. The duo has built their roots here in Statesville, within local bars and events, but it has not stopped their creativity for making music and creating a community.
“I was born and raised here in Statesville and stayed here most of my life,” said Gillion. “I started playing music right around the age of 15. I started with piano and was inspired by my family. Mainly my grandmother, she was the one that put my hands on and worked with me on the piano.” Gillion, being a self-taught musician, met Reese through taking music classes and started playing music in 2009. After learning that music was his passion, Gillion attended Mitchell Community College and earned some classical music training during his studies.
Resse, born and raised in Statesville, learned the arts from his family members as well, specifically his uncle that played guitar and his mother and grandmother that enjoyed painting. “Around high school I discovered that I loved lyrics,” shared Reese. “I always loved instruments and I took piano I think in the second grade but, everything at that point was Hot Cross Buns. I wanted to play rock n’ roll.”
At 17 years old, Reese moved near Eastern Carolina University, where he met a friend that was learning guitar and wanted someone to play with. “I’ve always kind of played for fun but for the longest time, all I did was make the hip-hop stuff.”
“I didn’t want to do self-serving ego music anymore,” shared Reese. “So we did a whole 180 and we were going to try something different. We have been extremely fortunate enough that people have been open and accepting today.”
The Broad Pickup’s have taken different genres and infused them together to make their own unique sound, taking elements from jazz, hip-hop, R&B and gospel. With their catchy tune “Movin’ On,” it is hard to not enjoy their mix of genres to create their unique sound.
“I want you to hear some songs that you did not think you were going to hear,” said Gillion. “I want to jam something out but then, all of a sudden, toss in a cover that just goes completely left.”
Reese writes the lyrics and collaborates with Gillion and other bandmates to create the sound that makes up The Broad Street Pick Up’s. With the band together and the passion for music, they create their own sound and rhythm, catching the ears of music lovers.
Practicing, recording and writing albums, the Broad Pickup’s record and produce their own albums here in Statesville. Learning new programs, collaborating and polishing up their songs, the band has released two albums— “A Matter of Time” and “Searching for the Words.”
Check out The Broad Pickup’s on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify today to find their upcoming performances and a next potential tune.
Editor’s Note: After listening to the album “A Matter of Time,” “Keep on Movin’” is one of my favorites from The Broad Pickup’s. With its funky beat, reminding me of The Grateful Dead, and lyrics reminding you to well… keep on movin’!
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