CD Releases

New Single for The Stetson Family – Brother

29 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Stetson Family has just released a brand new single Brother, which is available now on their website, iTunes and other online stores.

To celebrate the release of Brother The Stetsons are teaming up with Tracy McNeil & the Goodlife for an Americana Double Feature at the beautiful Theatre Royal Castlemaine on Friday 1st December.

If you’re up for the Goodlife’s California shimmer and some free-wheeling Americana bluegrass then click here and grab a ticket. This show was voted one of the ‘Best Local Live Gigs’ in the Off The Record Reader’s Poll 2016.

In other news The Stetsons have secured Australian music legend Ernie Rose on this latest recording. (Ernie, he’s the guy behind the controls of some of Australia’s best albums for artists including Renee Geyer, Little River Band, Farnsy, Mondo Rock).

Taylor Pfeiffer – Take Her

6 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Taylor Pfeiffer has announced the release of her new EPTake Her.

The first single from the EP Take Her is a self-penned song, recorded across NSW and USA in an alt-country style. The single featuring brass and banjo in a 1920’s theme filmed by Jason Mildwaters of JLM Studios in Adelaide, Australia, and featuring actor Taylor Allen.

Filming took place in Riverton SA, mostly at the Riverton Railway Station, and I’m thrilled with the results and the reviews the video has received. I’d love for you to have a look – Taylor Pfeiffer.

Several songs from this EP have been nominated for songwriting awards and are awaiting final judging.

The EP was recorded at Hillbilly Hut Australia and 1-4-5 Studios USA. It was produced and mixed by Simon Johnson and mastered by Jeff McCormack.

Tack List for Take Her:

1. Beauty Is The Beast – T Pfeiffer
2. Take Her – T Pfeiffer
3. Murder In The Dark – T Pfeiffer

4. Make Today Count – M Scullion/T Pfeiffer
5. Romeo – T Pfeiffer

Balsam Range EP – It’s Christmas Time

4 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Balsam Range has announced the release of their latest EP, It’s Christmas Time. The six-track outing spreads seasonal joy with a mix of contemporary and traditional tunes and features the beloved band in an unusual pairing with the Nashville Recording Orchestra.

Radio stations can ensure that It’s Christmas Time makes their holiday playlist by downloading from AirPlay Direct. Fans can listen to a live stream now on Bluegrass Today, or purchase the new EP from this link.

For those who might consider the joining of Bluegrass and orchestral music an odd mix – you are not alone. Respected tastemaker David Allan of Britain’s Country Music People magazine notes, “I thought I would hate it – the very idea of Bluegrass and strings, not to mention a sax, BUT it works … creating a rich, sentimental and wonderful, magical Christmassy feeling … definitely a winner.”

This is the band’s first Christmas release. “We loved the idea, and we were intrigued by the musical possibilities that this project would open up to us,” Balsam Range spokesman Tim Surrett reflects. “We had to take a bit of a different approach to make it work, but I think the result was worth the effort.”

Early reviewers agree:

Here’s a sweet Bluegrass, Christmas EP that takes some chances that work well among the tried and true. They know their stuff and how to play it right – Midwest Record Entertainment.

Balsam Range is superb on this holiday collection. All six tracks are refreshing and unique – Markos Papadatos, Digital Journal

Will certainly spread joy for listeners through the holidays this year and for many to come – Herbert Arnold, Wheel Country Music Magazine (Germany).

To celebrate the EP’s release, Balsam Range will host the Atlanta Pops Orchestra to perform these holiday tunes during the closing show of the group’s second annual Balsam Range Art of Music Festival at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina (December 1 and 2). Additional entertainers, including Flatt Lonesome and Darrell Scott will perform during the event, which also features various workshops. Select tickets are still available and much more information can be found on the Festival’s website.

About Balsam Range:

Balsam Range formed in 2007, has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts in recent years, garnering 11 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards on the heels of six critically-acclaimed albums. The group has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast to coast, selling out venues across the nation, and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Their previous album, Mountain Voodoo, debuted at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and remained on that chart for 52 weeks. Three singles from the album reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including Blue Collar Dreams, which spent three consecutive months at the top. The disc was recently honoured as the IBMA’s 2017 Album of the Year.

It’s Christmas Time Track List:

Christmas Lullaby
The First Noel

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
I’m Going Home, It’s Christmas Time

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Jingle Bells (instrumental)

Visit the band:

Remington Ryde’s “A Storyteller’s Memory”

4 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Remington Ryde’s Pinecastle Records debut A Storyteller’s Memory will be available this Friday, November 3rd. The James King tribute album includes the band’s take on some of the late singer’s most beloved songs including “Thirty Years of Farmin’,” “Bed by the Window,” “A Few Old Memories,” “Leavin’,” and a song bandleader Ryan Frankhouser wrote and dedicated to King’s memory titled “Mr. King.” The album also includes a bonus track It’s a Cold Cold World sung by King in 1989.

Remington Ryde performs over 100 shows each year. While bandleader Ryan Frankhouser is the founder of the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival held annually in the band’s home state of Pennsylvania. Over the last two years, the band has received five SPBGMA award nominations.

Remington Ryde includes Ryan Frankhouser on guitar and lead vocals, Billy Lee Cox (played with the Country Gentlemen and Charlie Moore) on banjo, Warren Blair (played with the original Bluegrass Cardinals) on fiddle, Stanley Efaw on mandolin with Richard Egolf on bass.

Learn more from the Remington Ride Website.

Brad Hudson – Next New Heartbreak

2 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Longtime sideman Brad Hudson presents his first solo project Next New Heartbreak releasing this Friday, 3rd November on Pinecastle Records. In addition to showcasing Hudson’s prolific vocal and instrumental talent, the album features a duet with The Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton.

Brad Hudson has toured with Grammy award-winning artists Jeff and Sheri Easter who said, “Brad Hudson is one of the most talented individuals we have had the opportunity to work with. His sweet smooth vocals are an added blessing to his expert musicianship… and that’s a fact.”

Greg Tutwiler from Americana Music Profiles recently interviewed Hudson about his music background. Hudson’s musical experience began in the church as a child and soon became the central focus of his life. Initially beginning with guitar, Brad was quick to graduate to the Dobro, banjo and more (he plays Dobro, guitar, brushes, and bass on the album). Growing up in North Carolina meant lots of exposure to bluegrass. In addition to the Easters, Hudson went on to open for artists like Eric

Church and Collin Raye, and to tour with praised performers like Dolly Parton and Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road. During this time he was nominated for Dobro player and bass player of the year. Hudson currently tours with bluegrass band Sideline.

Personnel on Next New Heartbreak include Brad Hudson, Steve Dilling, Skip Cherryholmes, Jason Moore, Aaron Ramsey, Ron Stewart, Clyde Mattocks, Brad’s Grandma Betty, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Dolly Parton.

Visit Brad Hudson’s website for more information.

Tony Rice – Guitar Re-release

1 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Guitar was Tony Rice’s first album. At the time of its recording, no US label was interested enough to issue the record stateside, so a couple of duly impressed Japanese fans released the LP in Japan. Later, as a member of J. D. Crowe’s Kentucky Mountain Boys (along with his brother Larry Rice and Bobby Slone), Tony became a phenomenon in the States and the rights to the record were bought out by Rebel Records, where the album remains a favourite today.

With Tony Rice in fine form vocally and his always amazing guitar work, this is where you will find his signature versions of Freeborn Man, Doin’ My Time, Nine Pound Hammer and John Hardy, plus his nine-minute tour-de-force rendition of closing track Lonesome Reuben.

About Tony Rice:

Tony Rice is world-renown as one of the greatest bluegrass guitarists ever. His credits include stints with the Bluegrass Alliance, J. D. Crowe’s New South, and the David Grisman Quintet. Since the early 1980s, he has toured and recorded as a solo, yet he has maintained ties with other artists by recording duet and various artists collections with Ricky Skaggs, Norman Blake, Peter Rowan, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, and others. Among his most notable compilation efforts was his participation in the Bluegrass Album Band series.

A native of Danville, Virginia, Tony grew up in California where he was exposed to the bluegrass music of his father as well the West Coast-based Country Boys (later known as the Kentucky Colonels). When Tony moved East in the early 1970s, he eventually hooked up with J. D. Crowe, and it was with Crowe’s group that he recorded his first solo album. It was called simply, Guitar.

The album came to Rebel in a roundabout way. It was recorded in Lexington, Kentucky, first appeared on a record label in Japan, made its way back to Kentucky for release on a regional label that was acquired by Rebel in the late 1970s. By the time of its 1980 release on Rebel, the album was in broad circulation. As Tony was working in J. D. Crowe’s band at the time, it was quite natural for J. D., Larry Rice and Bobby Slone to provide the instrumental backing. Recorded at a time when progressive sounds and styles were treading on the traditional framework of bluegrass, Guitar was praised for walking the fine line of spotlighting Tony’s prowess on the instrument while remaining very much a “band” recording.

In 1974, Tony was in the studio again to record his second solo album and his first to be made specifically for Rebel. Titled California Autumn, the album definitely bore the imprint of the Rebel family of artists. It was produced by John Starling, guitarist for one of Rebel’s flagship bands, The Seldom Scene. That group also lent the talents of bassist Tom Gray, banjoist Ben Eldredge and ace Dobro player Mike Auldridge. Ricky Skaggs, who was in the process of recording his own solo album for Rebel, appeared on fiddle, viola and mandolin. Also appearing on Dobro on two tracks was a young Jerry Douglas. In a career that now spans nearly 40 years and his appearance on over 1,600 recorded projects, California Autumn marked some of Jerry’s first work as an in-demand session player. Last, but not least, J. D. Crowe played the banjo on just one track.

Guitar and California Autumn both capture a guitar virtuoso at the start of a celebrated career, although – as these albums testify – he had in large part already arrived.

Spirit In The Hills – Wilson Banjo Co.

27 Oct, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Wilson Banjo Co. is releasing their album Spirits in the Hills on Bonfire Records on Friday, October 27th. The first single from the album Ain’t No Grave has already been playing on the radio and a music video for the track is available today. Bonfire’s mission is to develop American roots music artists.

Radio stations across the USA are already getting behind the band’s new single.

Wilson Banjo Co. is an ideal first artist for Bonfire Records. The band’s instrumental talent lives up to its name with well-known luthier Steve Wilson leading the charge. Sarah Logan’s vocals haunt like a bird in the night and listeners might wonder why more bluegrass bands don’t have alto lead singers. In addition, fans will appreciate the vocal variety on the album with four other band members also contributing on lead – Matt Hood from Bonfire.

I have never known of a band who can create a crisp sound, not only in the shop with their instruments but also in the studio with their album. The Wilson Banjo Co. will give you traditional bluegrass with their Wilson Banjo instruments and their Wilson Banjo album. You’ll want to add both to your collection – John Sentell PraiseFM.

Wilson Banjo Co. is a hard-driving Bluegrass band from South Carolina, founded by Steve Wilson, banjo picker & master luthier. Steve not only picks the banjo but builds custom Wilson banjo’s, performs vintage guitar repairs and restoration, is part of the team at Wilson Pickins Promotions, and is an engineer at Bonfire Recording Studio. The band was initially formed to promote Steve’s custom banjos but has since expanded well beyond that role after the sudden and critical success of their previous extended play album.

Spirits in the Hills features Steve Wilson on banjo, Joey Newton on guitar, Sarah Logan on fiddle, Brandon Couch on mandolin, Dylan Armour on Dobro, and Michael Branch on bass. Special guests on the album include Shannon Slaughter, Alan Bibey, Glen Crain, and Stephen Hudson.

The Burning Bridges – Down This Old Road.

8 Oct, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

This is a new CD from a band called The Burning Bridges. The band features Pete Somerville on banjo, Fran Martin on tenor guitar and vocal, Pete Denahy on fiddle and some harmony vocal, Ian Tritt on mandolin, guitar and some harmony vocal, Mark Wardle on guitar, Rod Boothroyd on bass and Jeff Lang on resonator guitar.

This latest album called Down This Old Road sees a combination of traditional and modern bluegrass, old-time and folk styles, admirably highlighting the group’s musical diversity and skill.

The album kicks off with a very old traditional song called Hop High (My Lulu Girl). Peter Somerville takes the lead on vocals closely followed by Fran Martin on harmony. The track features Peter Denahy on fiddle. Other standout tracks on the album include The Louvin Brothers song You’re Running Wild. Pete and Fran have worked up a great two-part vocal in the style of the Louvin’s and some banjo chops and of course, Denahy’s tasteful fiddle set it off. Their version of Sunday Morning is also a stand out track, full of unexpected fills, back-up and beautiful harmony.

The album also features several traditional songs and two original instrumentals by Pete Somerville. Both originals sound like they have been around for years. The tune Yellow Dog gets the Somerville, Tritt and Denahy treatment on banjo, mandolin and fiddle. The sweet and soulful O’Leary’s Waltz was written and dedicated to one of Somerville’s fiddler mates Greg O’Leary:

..and i reckon it sounds just like a traditional Australian waltz – Pete Somerville.

Pete Somerville has an entrenched history in the Australian Bluegrass and Old-Time music scene. Those who know him will recall fondly his boyish photos on the Dust On The Bible album from his days with the Rank Strangers in the later 80’s. This was one of my first Aussie Bluegrass LP’s. Pete has come a long way musically since those early years and has made his mark in various bands over that time including Uncle Bill.

Pete Denahy is a comedian and bluegrass musician hailing from Yackandandah in Victoria. He is no stranger to bluegrass and has been a regular and quite popular feature at bluegrass festivals over the past few years. His contribution to this band and album with fiddle and vocals is remarkable.

Fran Martin is a relative newcomer to the performance arena; she has emerged with a commanding aural presence with her strong lead and vocal harmony. My early recollections of Fran are as a quiet and reserved picker at many a jam session and festival I have attended over the years. She and her partner Pete make a great vocal duo on this album.

Mark Wardle is a great asset to this album delivering solid rhythm guitar support to the band. Mark is perhaps best known in Victorian circles as a great and approachable music teacher particularly providing years of support for beginner banjo players, learning the craft.

Ian Tritt is unknown to me but here he delivers some of the smoothest mandolin picking I have heard in some time. His timing and musical empathy are amazing. Everything he plays on this album is supposed to be there; whether it’s fast and punchy or sweet and slow, he nails it.

Rock solid bass playing is one of the most understated expectations in bluegrass music. Rod Boothroyd delivers in full on this album. His rock solid timing glues this music together.

The album was recorded in Jeff Lang’s studio in Melbourne. Jeff also delivers an outstanding reso-guitar solo on the old blues number Mystery Train.

Shannon Slaughter – Never Standing Still

24 Sep, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Shannon Slaughter has announced That Old County Road has hit number one on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 weekly song chart. The song is the first single release from his upcoming album Never Standing Still due out on 27th October, 2017 on Elite Circuit Records.

That Old County Road was written by Shannon Slaughter and Rusty Hendrix, guitar player from the country band Confederate Railroad. In a recent Bluegrass Today interview, Slaughter said when they were writing the song, they were “thinking of a ’90s acoustic country which makes for a great mid-tempo, bluesy bluegrass number as well.”

Heather Slaughter and Randy Kohrs provide beautiful vocals on the track with Slaughter on guitar, Ron Inscore on mandolin, Cliff Bailey on bass, Ron Stewart on fiddle, Trevor Watson on banjo and Kohrs on resonator guitar.

Music fans can buy the single at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, ShannonSlaughter.com and more outlets. The song is available to radio programmers at AirPlayDirect or by request.

You can stay connected to Shannon Slaughter through:

Portraits in Fiddles – Mike Barnett

23 Sep, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Leading up to next month’s IBMA Awards, it’s fitting that fiddler, Mike Barnett is announcing a recording full of guest appearances, many IBMA winners among them, in the form of his new album, Portraits in Fiddles. According to Barnett, who’s worked steadily as a professional fiddler since his teens, this solo recording is intended as a commemoration of time spent with some of his heavy influences, as well as a challenge for himself.

Each one of these artists has a sound that is totally original and has created the path for them, created opportunities, a body of work, and a life that I’ve really respected. They inspired me to do something similar with my life – Mike Barnett.

Some of the compositions included were chosen to reflect pivotal moments in Barnett’s career. “Bobby Hicks taught me Fiddle Patch. That was one of the first staples in the canon of bluegrass that I learned. It was Bobby who recommended me for the gig with Jesse McReynolds which really started my career”.

Others represent a wish list that turned into the ultimate interactive mix tape. “Some of these are songs I’ve played with these players before in their bands, but others are a dream list of things I always wanted to play with them. “

Though he spent many years as part of his touring band, Barnett had never recorded with McReynolds who is featured twice on the album on the songs Dixie Hoedown and Okeechobee Wind. He had never recorded with David Grisman who is also featured twice on the album on Waiting for Vassar and the scorching Bow Wow.

The album features some lightning fast picking, but possibly the most interesting part is how Barnett harnesses the improvisational spirit into some carefully composed breaks for twin fiddles – a concept that itself was pioneered by another of the album’s featured artists, Buddy Spicher.

Barnett composed a fiddle break for Okeechobee Wind, one of McReynolds’ original songs. “I played this in every set with Jesse and in the official recording there’s some wild fiddle playing on it. I wanted to compose some parts for twin fiddles that capture the spirit of all the different ways it’s gone instead of achieving that through improvisation.”

He also composed breaks for Dixie Hoedown, Bow Wow, Fiddle Patch and Angel’s Waltz, but it’s the twin fiddle maneuvering on Tennessee Waltz that provides one of the album’s highlights. “Buddy has extraordinary skill. He can come up with 4-part harmony for fiddle that’s just incredible. I remember to this day meeting him at a fiddle camp and the harmony that he showed me.”

Another album standout is Fox Chase featuring banjo great, Tony Trischka. “This has always been one of my favourites of Tony’s. He really combines elements of bluegrass and old-time roots in a powerful way. This is such a wonderful cross-over tune that really lends itself to both genres.”

In a sense, the album reflects a moment of coming around full circle for Mike, a Tennessee native who made his way through first the Northeast, in the Boston roots music scene that has spawned so many of the genre’s superstars, and then through Austin and New York City, another hot bed of next generation roots music talent, but now finds himself once again headquartered in Nashville.

“I wanted to create something tangible, like a snapshot of some of the experiences that I’ve been so fortunate to have had in my career so far. It was wonderful to work again with Buddy, who was one of my first mentors.”

Interspersed with commentary from Grisman, Trischka, McReynolds, Hicks, and guitarist, Bryan Sutton,Portraits in Fiddles is a guided tour through the best in bluegrass from the unique perspective of someone who lived it from the inside through most of his life, as well as a conversation with his heroes, who speak for themselves musically and in their own words.

Portraits in Fiddles features Mike Bub, Michael Daves, Stuart Duncan, Casey Campbell, Chris Eldridge, Grant Gordy, David Grier, David Grisman, Sam Grisman, Alex Hargreaves, Bobby Hicks, Ethan Jodziewicz, Dominick Leslie, Rob McCoury, Jesse McReynolds, Tim Mensy, Tim O’Brien, Jeff Picker, Noam Pikelny, Buddy Spicher, Bryan Sutton, Tony Trischka.

Mike Barnett is a first-class fiddle player and all-around musician. He’s got the chops and knows how to use them, but he also has something to say, and that’s a rare quality in music these days – David “Dawg” Grisman.

Portraits in Fiddles will be released October 13th, 2017 on Compass Records.

Track List for Portraits in Fiddles:

1. Old Barnes (feat. Stuart Duncan)
2. Mary and the Soldier (feat. Tim O’Brien)
3. Hangman’s Reel (feat. Bryan Sutton)
4. Mom and Dad’s Waltz (feat. Tim Mensy)
5. Waiting on Vassar (feat. David Grisman)
6. Bow Wow (feat. David Grisman)

7. Dixie Hoedown (feat. Jesse McReynolds)
8. Okeechobee Wind (feat. Jesse McReynolds)
9. Fiddle Patch (feat. Bobby Hicks)
10. Angel’s Waltz (feat. Bobby Hicks)
11. Fox Chase (feat. Tony Trischka & Michael Daves)
12. Tennessee Waltz (feat. Buddy Spicher)