By P.A. Geddie
It’s been more than 20 years since brothers J.P. and Matt Fisher rose up out of the salt dome city of Grand Saline, Texas, to share their talented harmonizing voices, musicianship, and songwriting skills with fans in Van Zandt County and the surrounding region. Before long, they fronted the popular alt-country band, Whiskeyfish with Jacob Phillips, also of Grand Saline, and Jonathan Wilson from Canton. Daniel Young joined the group later, adding rhythm guitar and vocals to the brother’s harmonies.
In 2007, the band released their album, Sushi, with 10 songs that fans demanded at each performance along with numerous covers. Influenced by a variety of alternative country rock legends, from Merle Haggard to Pearl Jam, they called their style “MerleJam.”
In a review for County Line Magazine that year, writer Tom Geddie said, “Whiskeyfish is a good young band. An early, burned version of the long-awaited CD fits squarely into the Texas alt-country scene with influences including Willie, Waylon, and Merle. And Robert Earl Keen, Billy Joe Shaver, Ryan Adams, Pat Green, and Randy Rogers. And, less obvious, Adam Carroll, Hayes Carll, Slaid Cleaves, and Chris Knight, which is probably where some of the darker songs come from. And Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pearl Jam, which is where much of the rock influence comes from.
J.P. said at the time that the band invested their own money and wanted to get it right, so it took a while, but he was happy with the outcome.
“Our music comes straight from our gut,” he said. “It’s not all good-times music. Some of our stuff is pretty deep; there’s nothing wrong with that. A few people ask why we write such dark material. We write some happy tunes, too; half the world is having a good time, and half the world is crying.”
The album still resonates with fans, a testament to their enduring sound. Find Sushi on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and wherever good music is sold.
Starting families and other obligations led to the group disbanding in 2010. J.P. is an engineer with Union Pacific Railroad. Matt has continued to perform solo at private parties and occasional club gigs. Jonathan Wilson is an app and software developer and Jacob Phillips works for Community Coffee. Daniel Young passed away in 2022 in an automobile accident.
With the Salt Festival in their hometown celebrating its 50th anniversary, event organizers did a little arm twisting and after 14 years, Whiskeyfish is reuniting for a performance on Friday, September 27 in downtown Grand Saline. Their set list will include their songs from Sushi, a few others they’ve written, and popular covers.
“Reuniting is a big deal,” J.P. says. “It’s a challenge with us being spread out and our schedules being crazy, but it’s also been real fun getting to see the guys again.”
Matt agrees.
“(This is) a chance to reconnect with the reason we started playing music in the first place,” Matt added. “Fun.”
Opening for Whiskeyfish is Billie Jo Jones and her full band. The Friday night concert is $20 per person at the gate.
The Salt Festival kicks off on Thursday, September 26 with a parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by a baking contest, and gospel music.
On Friday, before the concert — which includes room for street dancing — there’s an old fashioned southern luncheon; art, floral, and canning contest displays; and community bingo.
Saturday, September 28 activities start at 9 a.m. with street vendors, a car show, selfie station, pumpkin pageant, game tournaments, kids’ games, quilt show, and a large selection of contents that include best beard, Weiner dog derby, salsa, tamale, tacos, and jalapeño eating.
Gates open at 6 p.m. for another street dance and concert featuring Glen Templeton opening for T.G. Sheppard, T. Graham Brown, and Moe Bandy. Tickets are $35-$45 and available on stubwire.com.
Get more information on the Grand Saline Salt Festival Heritage Association’s Facebook page.