Kris Youmans and Eric Culberson get the family back together at Tybee Post Theater

When singer-songwriter Kris Youmans visits Savannah, it is always a music-filled family affair.

Youmans and her Mighty Fine Band are performing at Tybee Post Theater along with her brother and Savannah blues guitar hero Eric Culberson.

“Whenever we can get together with family, we’re always happy to go down there and play with Eric, so that we can make it a family reunion type of thing,” said Youmans. “We love the Tybee Post Theater, it’s just the coolest venue. It has a really nice ambiance and feeling to it, and the people are always so good at what they do, the sound and management.

“It’s a joyful time.”

Songs inspired by hometown of Savannah

Youmans lives in Newnan, Georgia, with her husband and bandmate Warren “Slim” Hall, but she grew up in Savannah. Many of her songs are inspired by her life in Savannah including the songs “Richmond Hill” and “Whitefield Avenue” from her 2017 debut album, Slim, Take Me Dancin’ .

Youmans’ songwriting is strongly influenced by Roots and Americana, and her traditional southern sound earned her band the title of “Best Traditional Country” from the Georgia Country Awards in 2016, as well as finalist nominations every year since. (Fans can vote for her again this year at georgiacountryawards.com )

“I call them my ‘Mighty Fine Band’ because they are,” Youmans said of her bandmates which include Slim on pedal steel guitar, David Puett on guitar, Patrick Thompson on bass, and Jerry Lee on percussion. The band has been together for 11 years and is recording some new songs including a couple western swing tunes penned by Youmans. Youmans is also honored to be opening for country great Gary Allan at Frederick Brown Amphitheater in Peachtree City, Georgia, at the end of the month.

Youmans and her band were recently featured on GPB’s “Peach Jam” podcast for an interview and performance. “Peach Jam” is known for highlighting some of Georgia’s best musicians. Youmans also contributed a song for GPB’s “View Finders,” as well as performed on a GPB special to promote Ken Burn’s Country Music documentary.

When Youmans isn’t writing or performing music, she is still immersed in the scene, writing a regular music calendar and column for The Paper , and booking the “Newnan Unplugged” singer-songwriter series.

“We are specializing in songwriting and people who are trying to move up, so we’re always happy to highlight them,” said Youmans. “Some of them are very young and their very first start is playing here.”

Eric Culberson has been one of Savannah’s top bluesmen for over 20 years. Culberson has played guitar for almost his entire life and was initially inspired by rock acts like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, until he discovered blues legends like Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and especially B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King, whom he pays tribute to at his annual “Three Kings” concerts.

Culberson’s albums of original material have earned rave 5-star reviews from respected publications like Living Blues and Blues Review . Culberson regularly tours the country, as well as performs at the annual Savannah Jazz Festival.

Culberson’s current trio, which includes Jonathan Hill on bass and Jim Reed on drums, is considered “one of the best live music experiences in the Southeast,” consistently delivering high-energy traditional blues with a modern approach.

“Anything you’re doing where Eric is participating is going to be excellent just because he’s playing guitar and singing,” said Youmans. “Anything we do is very relaxed. The first thing I ever did with him was for the Lucas Theatre way, way, way back, when we were doing a fundraiser…Since then he’ll come up here and play a blues show (The Blues Plate Special) I put together every year, and we come down there and play with him.”

Besides Culberson, Youmans will also be joined by their brother Mickey Youmans on harmonica. Music is truly a great excuse to get the whole family together.

“The family comes out and they’re so excited that we’re there,” said Youmans. “We go out and eat and it’s just one big happy time. Everybody should do that.”

If You Go >>

What: Eric Culberson & Kris Youmans Band

When: 7 p.m., Aug. 10

Where: Tybee Post Theater, 10 Van Horne Ave., Tybee Island

Cost: $20-$55

Info: tybeeposttheater.org

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Kris Youmans and Eric Culberson get the family back together at Tybee Post Theater