The Wright Brothers Oral History

Interview Highlight

In this Interview Highlight, Tom and Tim Wright recount one of the funniest stories of their career—the day a publicity photo shoot turned into what they jokingly call the “last stagecoach wreck of the 20th century.” While posing aboard an authentic stagecoach with horses that had been improperly harnessed, the runaway team sent the band careening down a hill before the coach overturned, injuring bandmate Karl Hinkle and landing the group in the hospital. The unbelievable mishap became an international UPI news story and one of the Wright Brothers Band’s most enduring legends.

Complete Interview

In this Complete Interview, Tom and Tim Wright trace their musical journey from singing with their family in church and discovering rock ’n’ roll after watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show to forming the Wright Brothers Overland Stage Company in the early 1970s. They share stories about the origin of the group’s name and distinctive western image, their early recording sessions with Bloomington recording engineer Jack Gilfoy, and the infamous stagecoach accident that became an international UPI news story. The brothers also reflect on performing at the Grand Ole Opry and appearing on NBC’s Today show, working with artists including Dolly Parton, and recording music for the Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell film Overboard. They recall traveling to Northern California, working on the movie set, recording vocals while performing in Las Vegas and the unexpected experiences that became part of more than five decades in the music business.

Biography

The Wright Brothers Band, originally known as the Wright Brothers Overland Stage Company, is one of Indiana’s longest-running musical groups. Formed in 1972 by brothers C. Thomas Wright and W. Timothy Wright, along with longtime musical collaborators Karl Hinkle and later John W. McDowell, the band has entertained audiences for more than five decades with its unique blend of country, bluegrass, gospel, pop standards and rock.

Born in French Lick, Indiana, Tom and Tim Wright later moved with their family to Indianapolis, where music continued to play a central role in their lives. Their father played guitar and sang, while their mother and grandmother were pianists. Inspired by gospel music at church and later by The Beatles and the explosion of rock ‘n’ roll, the brothers developed the close vocal harmonies that would become the band’s signature sound.

Originally performing as the Wright Brothers Overland Stage Company, the group quickly established itself throughout Indiana with its memorable western image, polished musicianship and entertaining stage show. Their popularity throughout the Midwest led to the independent release of several successful albums, including two deluxe boxed sets that demonstrated the band’s ability to build a loyal following and sell records long before signing with a major label.

By the early 1980s, the Wright Brothers Band had reached the national stage. They signed recording contracts with Warner Bros. Records and later Mercury Records, placing nine singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Their patriotic recording “Made in the U.S.A.” brought national attention by celebrating American manufacturing during a period when many companies were moving production overseas.

The band’s national exposure continued with appearances on NBC’s Today show, performances on the Grand Ole Opry, and 12 appearances on the nationally televised country music program Nashville Now. They also toured with many of country music’s biggest stars. Unfortunately, two major national tours were canceled at the last minute—one with Dolly Parton because of her illness and another with Barbara Mandrell following her automobile accident—preventing what might have been the band’s biggest breakthrough.

One of the group’s most famous stories occurred during a publicity photo session when an authentic stagecoach unexpectedly ran out of control, overturned and sent members of the band to the hospital. The accident became an international UPI news story and has since become part of Indiana music folklore as what the band jokingly calls the “last stagecoach wreck of the 20th century.”

In 1987, the Wright Brothers Band appeared in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture Overboard, starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. In addition to appearing on screen, the band recorded two songs for the film’s soundtrack, including Shot Down in Hot Blood and a cover of Jim Dandy, while balancing an active performance schedule in Las Vegas.

The band’s lineup evolved over the years. Keyboardist John W. McDowell joined after performing with the Indiana band Light, while Karl Hinkle, who had briefly performed with Zerfas before becoming a well-known gospel singer, remained an important part of the Wright Brothers story.

Although national success was interrupted by circumstances beyond the band’s control, the Wright Brothers returned to Indiana, where they have continued performing for devoted audiences. More than fifty years after their formation, they remain a beloved part of Indiana’s musical heritage, highlighted by recent sold-out performances at The Palladium in Carmel.

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