Wright Brothers Band

The Wright Brothers Band (formerly known as The Wright Brothers Overland Stage Company) – Formed in 1972 and still going, the Wright Brothers Band is Indiana-based and can cover tunes in a variety of styles including rock, pop, country, bluegrass, and gospel. However, the group’s commercial interests were predominantly in country music. The two constant members are Tom and Tim Wright. Nonetheless, Karl Hinkle, who sported the same bearded cowboy look as the Wrights, was equally important as a musician and decision maker in the early days. (Currently, Hinkle leads a Music Ministry in Carmel.) Although they never had the big breakthrough hit that they had hoped for, the Wright Brothers Band put nine singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart throughout the 1970s and 1980s, which were spent mainly in Nashville and on the road. In 1989, Tom and Tim moved back to Indianapolis, where their band has performed steadily for corporate gigs and various public events. Back in the 1980s, the group had major label deals with Warner Bros. and Mercury. Perhaps their best known song is “Made in the USA,” which they perform live as part of a patriotic medley. Back in the glory days, the group performed with Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Ronnie Milsap, Bob Hope, and Marty Stuart. While booked at Harrah’s casino in Nevada, they backed Jerry Van Dyke, with whom Tim got play “Duelin’ Banjos.” In addition, the group appeared on the The Ralph Emery Show, the Today Show, Hee Haw, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Now (nine times), the Winter Olympics (1986), and the movie Overboard (starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, 1987).