Artists

Some Cajun From Les Saules Pleureurs

11 Jan, 20 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

One of the great things I enjoy about hosting the AustralianBluegrass.com.au is the many opportunities to see and hear new artists. I came across this duo this week who are seeking some publicity for their latest releases Wine Straight From The Bottle and Sadness. due out 4th February 2020.

Sadness and Wine Straight From the Bottle will be available on very limited edition 7″ vinyl (just 20 copies individually cut on a lathe in the UK) and download.

Listen and to and share the songs here:

With Robert Paul (Severed Limb) on vocals, guitar and double bass, and Sophie Loyer (Urban Voodoo Machine) on violin, Les Saules Pleureurs (pronounced Lay Soul Plurer) have been playing their own brand of stripped-back country and Cajun in London for the past decade. Sam Soper produced the session, also adding lap-steel guitar.

These are songs about sadness or even depression. But we wanted them to be consoling, to give a feeling of not being alone. It took me a long time to realise it’s okay to reach out to people when you’re feeling low and there’s no shame in that – Robert Paul.

Kristy Cox – No Headlights

11 Jan, 20 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Mountain Fever Records has announced the third single and title track from the upcoming new album from Kristy Cox. The single, No Headlights is now available.

Australian Golden Guitar winner and all around bluegrass favorite, Kristy Cox, brings yet another incredible song to bluegrass fans. No Headlights was written by Liz Hengber, Tammy Rogers, and Jerry Salley. Kristy’s delivery is perfect as she sings the tale of a friend who vows to make sure her friend is never abused again. It’s dark, it’s sassy – the perfect song for Kristy to sing.

The track features Kristy Cox with lead vocal, Jason Roller on guitar and fiddle, Mike Bub on bass, Justin Moses on mandolin and resonator guitar, Aaron McDaris on banjo, and Tammy Rogers and Jerry Salley with harmony vocals.

Kristy’s last album, Ricochet debuted as a Billboard #1 in 2018. Those who have listened to her new album, due out on February 28th, agree this project will be no different.

How the superstar singer, songwriter, small business owner, and mother of two does it, is mystery to the common human, but Kristy waltzes through her life with a joy and energy that is nothing short of addicting. Enjoy her single, No Headlights today and look for her new album with the same name out 28th February.

High On a Mountain – Fontanna Sunset

22 Dec, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

People talk about staples in the industry, veterans of the business, so on and so forth all the time. With Frances Mooney, nothing could be closer to the truth. Her history in bluegrass and country music runs deep and wide and her sweet soul has touched many lives for more than four decades. Now with a band backing her, that she claims she has waited her whole career to have come together, they have released the first single from their forthcoming album, High On A Mountain, written by David Stewart.

Fontanna Sunset is comprised of Frances Mooney on bass; Rickey Rakestraw on guitar; Matthew Mundy on mandolin; Brian Morgan on banjo, and Glen Crain on resonator guitar. All of the members hail from Georgia, except, Crain, who is as close to the Georgia border as South Carolina can get.

High On A Mountain had a great story behind the inspiration of the song, coming to David Stewart as he pulled over on the side of the road and sat gazing out at the beauty of Big Horn Mountains one evening on his drive home where he lives near Buffalo, WY. In fact, Frances loved the story so much that she added a stop on her summer vacation to visit with Stewart in Wyoming and have him take her to that very spot. She even visited with her husband, and performed, at the famed, historic Occidental Hotel, where David Stewart is the Proprietor. Frances and her husband recently shared the band’s new single with long time friends Emory Gordy and Patty Loveless, who had this to say about the music:

For those fans, as we are, who have followed Fontanna Sunset over the years, you’re in for a treat. This set of songs is the culmination of hard work and dedication that they have honed toward perfection over the years. Listen and enjoy – Emory Gordy and Patty Loveless.

Since 1975, Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame Member, Frances Mooney has traveled and played music on stage with the likes of former Bluegrass Boy and Goins Brothers band member Danny Jones, and recorded with greats like Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, and also is a founding member of the IBMA Award winning, Daughters of Bluegrass. The band where she got her start, The Bluegrass Generation was recognized by the Governor, as Kentucky Colonels. Frances later formed Cherokee Rose, one of the first all female bluegrass bands to the circuit, setting forth an example that little did she know then would become so very prominent in the years to come. In 1981, she formed the popular Indian Summer, a band that would perform for many years, winning awards and gracing Nashville stages, like the Station Inn, Opryland and more. The highlight for Indian Summer came in October 1990, when the band was invited by the Chinese Government to Shanghai, China to perform for the Grand Portman Hotel representing the music of the United States of America.

Fontanna Sunset was officially born, in 1998, with long time friends, Mindy Rakestraw and Brenda Nation. Acclaimed singer/songwriter, Louisa Branscomb was also a member of the band in the early years. Since then, and after many member changes and sound evolutions, Fontanna Sunset has come forth with what they feel is a great reflection of their flavor and blend of bluegrass and country music.

The full album, titled Wild and Free, will release in early 2020. Stay tuned online with Fontanna Sunset for all the details.

Darin and Brooke Aldridge Streaming on Crook and Chase.

19 Dec, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Released 17th Dec, 2019 • 35 min – Now Streaming.

Darin and Brooke Aldridge, award-winning husband and wife entertainers, share their story of love and music as they begin their journey into superstardom. Brooke is now a three-time Female Vocalist award winner from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Darin has already received the IMBA’s coveted Mentor Award for using his extraordinary talents to cultivate the gifts of more than 1,000 aspiring singers and musicians. A seemingly low-key and seriously talented couple, Darin and Brooke explode with personality and unexpected humor on-stage AND at the microphones with Crook & Chase.

Bluegrass Unlimited’s Final Airing.

16 Dec, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

We learn today that sadly, the time has come for Bluegrass Unlimited, Adelaide’s finest bluegrass program to spin it’s last tune on 29th December, after 34 years . Bill Lawson, has been a volunteer radio presenter delivering some 1,700 programs over that period for Adelaide’s 101.5FM.

Bill has unquestionably served up a wonderful smorgasbord of bluegrass music for fans of the genre. Week in-week out he would broadcast his program Bluegrass Unlimited to bluegrass fans across metropolitan South Australia. His radio show went from an era of recording it on cassette to being able to hear it on-line on the technological highway through the use of a number of electronic devices that we never entirely imagined would exist 34 years ago.

Years ago I was thankful to have discovered a wonderful bluegrass radio program. I’d get my cassette recorder going and tape the show. I could replay the tapes when I needed a dose of fresh cut bluegrass. Times have changed – Michael Murphy South Australia.

From all of us who have tuned in on air and online, congratulations and thank you Bill Lawson for a mammoth effort.

Authentic – Band of Ruhks

15 Dec, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Some things have a magic all their own. The musical collaboration between Ronnie Bowman, Don Rigsby and Kenny Smith is one of these things. These three men made music together in the 1990’s as members of The Lonesome River Band. Their work there was critically acclaimed during the pinnacle of the group’s popularity. In 2001, each of them embarked on their own personal musical journeys that led to new heights and influences. These days they re-unite as the Band Of Ruhks.

My Ol’ Tattoo is the new single from Band of Ruhks recent album Authentic, They explore the consequences of getting your skin etched with your lover’s name, given the uncertainty of relationships in today’s world.

Written from the perspective of a jilted lover talking to his ex, the lyrics are both sharp and witty as they wryly state “just remember when you’re looking for your new love, you better hope our name’s the same!”

Musically, My Ol’ Tattoo is an upbeat number that is set to a cajun rhythm driven by guest Aubrey Haynie’s masterful fiddling.

With his distinctive tenor voice, Don Rigsby sings lead on the song and tells us that the melody for My Ol’ Tattoo was inspired by the mid-90s George Strait hit Adalida.

‘My Ol’ Tattoo’ is a song that I had been tinkering with for several years. We were having a writing session for the album at Ronnie Bowman’s place with the awesome Billy Droze and I brought this one out. They both loved it! I had already come up with the chorus and the melody and together we added the verses. It always had a cajun feel in my mind and then when we got together to finish it, it took on a life of it’s own – Don Rigsby.

With Band of Ruhks’ first release in five years, Authentic debuted at #10 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart and has received much critical acclaim. Recently, bluegrass fans have been thrilled with the group’s return to its traditional roots, and first single Run Fanny Run has spent a number of weeks on the Bluegrass Today Chart.

Click here to stream, download or purchase a physical copy of Authentic.

ABOTMA’s 2019 Young Performer Grant Awarded to Amy Ryan

27 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Winner of the ABOTMA’s (Australasian Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association) Young Performer Grant for 2019 is Amy Ryan from New South Wales.

Amy attended MountainGrass 2018 with her father Andrew, following up on her performances at the 2018 Bluegrass Conference, Tamworth Battle of the Bluegrass, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, where she hung out and played songs with Rhodeworks (last years recipients of the grant).

Some of Amy’s Highlights:

April 2019 – Amy Joined the Redlands Modern Country Music Club and commenced practicing with the Redlands Bluegrass Boys at their social events.
April 2019 – Amy was invited by the convener of the Boyne Valley Country Music Campouts to perform at their event in Ubobo, Central Queensland, with the Owl Valley Bluegrass Band, the headline act. The whole event went very well and Amy was asked to perform a second time. This was filmed by the CAMPR outdoor television Program and features Amy in their production.
April 2019 – Invitation received to return and perform as a paid artist at the 2020 Boyne Valley Country Music Campout.
May 2019 – Performed with Allen and Tom of tjhe Redland’s Bluegrass Boys, at the Redlands Modern Country Music Festival,
June 2019 – received invitation from Don Jackson, from Bay FM Radio Station in Redland Bay, QLD, for Amy to record her first EP, in their studio, for free. This is part of a program run by the station to foster young talent.
June 2019 – Amy performed at the Australian Pedal Steel Convention With Hall of Fame Pedal Steelers, Paddy Long, Christchurch NZ, and Milton Quackenbush from Texas USA.
June 2019 – Amy played at a fund-raising event hosted by the comedian, Col Elliot. She once again joined Owl Valley Bluegrass on stage for this event.
June 2019 – Amy received an invitation to perform at the inaugural Australian ‘Dolly Parton’ Convention. This is scheduled for April 2020.
July 2019 – Amy opened for Catherine Britt, playing with Peter and Mark Nahuysen. Catherine then asked Amy to join her to play guitar with her for three songs during her show.
The last year has been very busy for Amy. To her credit, she has taken it all in her stride and is cruising along nicely. Amy is looking forward to reconnecting with the Sonoran Dogs this year at Mountaingrass The whole band are very good instructors and they have been an important influence in bringing Amy to where she is today.

Fast Track on the Right Road

19 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Fast Track is a band formed following the recent announcement of the retirement of long time Cardinal Tradition band leader, David Parmley. Three of the four members decided to form the band and sought out to fill the remaining spots, mandolin and guitar, seeking instrumentalists who were also strong vocalists.

The five members of Fast Track are not only all highly decorated in awards from the IBMA and SPBGMA organizations, but are also veteran players on the Grand Ole Opry stage, across the United States, up through Canada, and throughout Europe. Between all of the gentlemen, they have performed with, recorded on and participated in countless projects with bluegrass and country music royalty throughout their most impressive careers.

Who are they?

The Fast Track members are: Dale Perry on banjo, bass and vocals, Steve Day on fiddle and vocals, Ron Spears on bass and vocals, Jesse Brock on mandolin and vocals, and Duane Sparks on guitar and vocals. This band already has a list of music compiled from favorite songwriters, as well as original music they have written, that they will be choosing from for a project that is set to start immediately, with an EP to be released early next year. That highly anticipated release can not come to soon according to the overwhelming support and encouragement the band has already received from their fans in the bluegrass community.

When we found out David was retiring, our first thought was that he deserved it and we were so happy for him. Our second thought? We aren’t ready, and so Fast Track was born. From our three advancing members, Dale Perry, Steve Day and Ron Spears, we were privileged enough to add two more veteran grassers to our band family, with Jesse Brock and Duane Sparks. Together we have created an incredible sound that we can’t wait to share with all of you. We really enjoy playing music together and are focusing on original music arranged and performed in our own unique and traditional style. We look forward to seeing all of you on down the road and continuing to pick, grin and pick some more – Fast Track.

Wilson Pickins Promotions has been hired by the Fast Track band to handle all of their publicity and booking needs.

We have known and loved these guys for such a long time, musically and as friends. It is our privilege to work with each and every one of them and there’s really no question that the show and the music will be outstanding with these five musicians together on a stage. I am so glad that we are ready to move forward now and all the pieces are in place, it’s going to be amazing – Melanie Wilson.

Rick Faris – Breaking In Lonesome

16 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Today marks the official release of Rick Faris’s debut album Breaking In Lonesome, from the Dark Shadow Recording label. While his name may be unfamiliar to some, Rick grew up in a touring bluegrass family band (The Faris Family) and has spent the last decade picking and singing with Special Consensus.

After signing to Dark Shadow Recording in late 2018, he entered the studio in early 2019 with a pile of songs and a group of close friends. In a week of recording, Laura Orshaw (fiddle), Harry Clark (mandolin), Justin Moses (banjo/tenor vocal), and Eddie Faris (upright/baritone vocal) joined Rick and producer/engineer Stephen Mougin to arrange the material and push each others musicianship. Special Consensus – Greg Cahill (banjo), Nick Dumas (mandolin, tenor vocal), and Dan Eubanks (upright, baritone vocal) – dropped in to add a couple of fantastic tracks, and the album was complete.

It was inspiring to see my friends stretching out with their feelings, and playing new things they’ve never played before– Rick Faris.
This album not only highlights Rick’s captivating vocals and blistering guitar work, but showcases his depth in artistry through eleven (of twelve) original songs. In a very short time frame, he rose to the challenge and curated a collection of thoughtful, fun, and moving material – Stephen Mougin producer.

With a number one single on Bluegrass Today’s Weekly Chart, number one song on Roots Music Report’s Weekly Top 50 Bluegrass Songs, and a number one album Roots Music Report’s Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart, this project has already gotten a lot of airplay. DJ and founder of World Wide Bluegrass–

Fresh and delightful… I’m totally impressed with his new album – he’s got the vocal chops and the great instrumentation that he displays on each tune, like a baker offering his delicious wares to taste. Lots of variety is keeping it interesting. His time spent with the group Special Consensus has added to his polishing as a top-notch performer. I really like his overall approach to arrangements just as well as his crafty selections of songs – a little happy, a little inspirational and a whole LOT of great stuff right here. Emotional prodding from the artist to keep you on your toes, guessing and feeling the messages, meant for the listener and his pure enjoyment. I give this a big fat “A” because it is an excellent offering for a debut project. Congratulations to Rick Faris – Gracie Muldoon.

Breaking In Lonesome, the chart-topping title track, premiers its official music video at Bluegrass Today in conjunction with the album release. Created by filmmaker Dalton Coffee for Bomber Productions, it is a film narrative complete with comedic twist.

The album can be purchased from Dark Shadow Recording, on your favorite music platform HERE, or directly from Rick Faris at a Special Consensus performance near you.

Australian Banjo Conference Meet the Faculty #1

14 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The 2019 Bluegrass Conference is just weeks away. This year’s conference has a wealth of teaching talent and musical dexterity. We will spend the next few days introducing you to this years faculty, with some background on their careers.

Jens Kruger banjo, song writer, composer:

We gladly welcome back to Australia the amazing Jens Kruger from North Carolina USA. Originally from Switzerland, Jens Kruger began playing North American folk music at an early age and was particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other originators of country, bluegrass and folk music.
Jens is a member of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2011. In 2013, he was awarded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. Jens is the first winner of the award who resides in North Carolina and the first born outside of the United States.

(Jens Kruger is) one of the world’s most musically sophisticated and technically accomplished five‐string banjo players – Happy Traum.

Josh Goforth, fiddle, mandolin and guitar:

Josh resides in Asheville, North Carolina. He has been a member and road manager of Carolina Road for fifteen years. Josh attended East Tennessee State University where he majored in Instrumental Music Education. He is very active in the world renowned bluegrass and country music program at ETSU and also mentors upcoming fiddle players through residencies with universities including Colorado College, University of Georgia and University of Kentucky.

Josh teaches with the City of Asheville, North Carolina and has performed with Appalachian Trail, David Holt & Laura Boosinger, Open Road and The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. He has also performed in 13 foreign countries and throughout the United States. In 2000, 2003 and 2005 he was named the Fiddler of the Festival as the nationally acclaimed Fiddler’s Grove Competition, and awarded the title of Master Fiddler after winning the coveted position three times.

Josh has been a finalist for SPBGMA Fiddle Player of the Year. In 2009, he was nominated for a Grammy for the album Cutting Loose which he produced and recorded on with David Holt. Josh also showed off his acting chops in the 2000 film Song Catcher where he was given a small role, was the vocal coach on set, and performed on the film’s soundtrack. Josh is a successful producer and coproduced Carolina Road’s latest cd. Josh enjoys teaching folklore and sharing his talents with others. Josh is proud to endorse Henderson Guitars, Kogut Violins, D’addario Strings, and Baggs Pickups.

Jenny Lester, fiddle, guitar, singer songwriter:

Jenny Lester is no stranger to Australia. Her gorgeous voice and fiddle playing graced our shores when she toured with Hungry Hill in 2009. Jenny is a dynamic Canadian bluegrass performer and recording artist who has established herself as an important singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her original songs are carefully crafted in the bluegrass convention while at the same time displaying a contemporary freshness and vitality that breathes new life into the fabled “high lonesome” sound.
Jenny is a veteran stage performer, beginning on the fiddle at age eight with her family’s Driftwood Canyon Family Band out of Smithers, B.C. After nearly a decade of touring West Coast festivals, Jenny won a musical scholarship to South Plains College in Texas, graduating with honors and three Golden Reel awards. The journey moved in the 1990s through Dark Horse based in Colorado, the Australian trio performing at Leo Foo Village in Taiwan, John Reischman and Bluegrass Signal in Vancouver, BC, and the Jenny Lester Trio. Music videos, telethons and documentaries were recorded in the 1980’s of the family band. As Jenny’s career continued she appears in Discovery, Disney and PBS movies. In 1998 Jenny released the internationally acclaimed debut album Friends Like You. The turn of the millennium brought together two new cds with the world touring, Yukon-based band, Hungry Hill. Her love of music has been paralleled by her love of horses and Jenny devotes her life to both.

Running over 4 days in December, from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th and held at the Tranquil Park Resort in Maleny, this conference feature some 14 instructors in total.