ABOUT
Brother and The Hayes, comprised of siblings David Bingaman and Jennie Hayes Kurtz (double first name), hail from Dallas, Texas. Growing up, Jennie Hayes honed her vocal skills in choir, while David taught himself guitar, drawing inspiration from blues legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Lightnin' Hopkins.
Jennie Hayes and David grew up in a home filled with diverse musical influences. Their mother loved jazz, big band, and 1940s music, while their father favored 1970s rock and roll, including bands like Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Pure Prairie League, and The Doobie Brothers. Despite their differences, the family found common ground in 90s country, Bob Wills, and George Strait.
The siblings have fond memories of after-dinner family dance parties in the living room, where they learned to two-step and swing dance. These experiences instilled in them a deep appreciation for music and its ability to shape moods, evoke emotions, and enhance life's moments, both big and small.
During their college years at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, they both developed a passion for folk music and songwriting, leading to their musical collaboration. Their shared love for blues, traditional country, and bluegrass provided a rich foundation for their playful, honest, and narrative-driven songwriting style.
Following college, they relocated to Nashville, pursuing careers in the music industry while holding day jobs and performing at night. Jennie Hayes started working for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, immersing herself in country music history and contributing to exhibit designs and artifact collection. She eventually transitioned to the museum's education team, where she developed and taught songwriting curriculum and facilitated tours and programs for students.
David spent three years at the iconic Bluebird Café, serving Bluebird regulars and renowned songwriters. He often allowed his sister to sneak in the back and listen to some of the world's finest songwriters performing at the club. Between the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluebird, the siblings' early years in Nashville provided an invaluable education in songwriting and the music industry.
Inspired by Nashville’s finest, David and Jennie Hayes couldn’t shake the desire to write and perform music of their own. The siblings officially formed Brother and The Hayes in 2017 and started recording and producing original music. Since then they have released a full length album, Tennessee Nights with the help of Bill Reynolds, and two EPs - The Dead End EP and Another Strange Time EP. On their latest projects the duo has teamed up with Diana Walsh as their recording engineer and co-producer. Brother and The Hayes’s next full length album, In Good Company, is set to release February 28, 2025.
Both prolific writers, Jennie Hayes and David's songs will capture your imagination whether they are playing as an acoustic duo or with their full electric band made up of some of Nashville’s
most talented players. You would be hard pressed to find a band that writes more authentically and has more fun playing together. The rapport between brother and sister is something to behold as they draw you in and make you feel like part of the family.
David now lives in Chattanooga, TN where he loves to rock climb, hike, and camp in his spare time. A talented cartoonist, David designs most of the band’s posters and merchandise. Jennie Hayes resides in Nashville, TN with her husband and golden retriever. She hosts regular songwriter showcases in town and continues to work with the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words and Music program.
David and Jennie Hayes tragically lost their father to a stroke in July 2024. He was, without a doubt, their biggest fan and a constant source of support. He gifted David his first guitars and was the first one to tell Jennie Hayes she could be a country singer when she was a middle schooler. His passion for music and unwavering encouragement has been instrumental in their musical pursuits and he is very missed.