These Dominican friars take their name from a line by Southern writer Flannery O'Connor, who described herself as a "hillbilly Thomist" -- a woman of the Deep South steeped in the thought of theologian Thomas Aquinas.
Based out of a Dominican center in Washington, D.C., the men began recreationally playing together in 2014. They then used their music a means to evangelize their faith while connecting with secular audiences who appreciate traditional bluegrasss music.
The Hillbilly Thomists have released four albums from 2017 to 2024. Much of their music is available on the YouTube channel of an official Dominican publication.
-via J.R.R. TolKee