Clint Alphin, Down the Road I've Been Given (Ernest Engine Songs, www.clintalphin.com)
The debut release from Nashville-based Clint Alphin showcases his unique, tenor range lead vocals and songwriting talents, along with his guitar work. All 12 cuts are originals, and producer Bil VornDick included a mix of bluegrass and country instrumentation. Mark Fain, Randy Kohrs and Andy Leftwich guest, among others. And VornDick contributes keys and the Vulcan harp!
Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac, Take Off (Patuxent Music, www.pxrec.com)
In their first release Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac update old favorites like the Louvin’s “You’ll Forget,” Hugh Moffatt’s “How Could I Love Her” and Wendy Thatcher’s “Miss You Mississippi,” and present new songs like “Other Side of Lonely” and “Love You Don’t Know” written by Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis. The band is appropriately named, as the members are alumni of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Seldom Scene, The Country Gentlemen and The Bluegrass Cardinals—plus bassman Tom Gray is a Bluegrass Hall of Famer from his days with the Gentlemen and Dobro stylist Mike Auldridge is an IBMA Distinguished Achievement recipient.
Dierks Bentley, Up on the Ridge (Capitol Records, www.dierks.com)
Country music star with a bluegrass heart, Dierks Bentley, presents an all-acoustic set of music on his new Capitol Records release. Dierks co-wrote four of twelve songs with producer Jon Randall Stewart. Guests include the Traveling McCourys, Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, The Punch Brothers, Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, Del McCoury, Kris Kristofferson and Sonya Isaacs.
Audie Blaylock and Redline, Cryin’ Heart Blues (Rural Rhythm Records, www.ruralrhythm.com)
Veteran bluegrasser Audie Blaylock brings his trademark, hard-driving vocals and band to center stage on his second release for the Rural Rhythm label. The song list includes Harley Allen’s “Can’t Keep on Runnin’,” Goble and Drumm’s “You Can Keep Your Nine Pound Hammer,” “Stay Away from Me” by Bill Monroe and “Pray the Clouds Away” from Jimmy Martin and Paul Williams, among others. In addition to Blaylock, the band includes Evan Ward, Patrick McAvinue and Matt Wallace.
Cherryholmes, Cherryholmes IV: Common Threads (Skaggs Family Records, www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com)
With four Grammy nominations to date the 2005 IBMA Entertainers of the Year, Cherryholmes, are in their element with powerful new compositions on their fourth album for the Skaggs Family label. While keeping the family’s harmony blend intact, new styles and flavors are evident in the band’s aggressive instrumental style that is uniquely their own. All 13 cuts are originals, written by Cia, Molly, Sandy and B.J. Cherryholmes.
The Coal Porters, Durango (Prima Records, www.sidgriffin.com)
Recorded during two fruitful weeks in the mountains outside Durango, Colorado, the fourth album from the self-described “alt-bluegrass band” based in London, England, features Sid Griffin, Carly Frey, Dick Smith and Ed Stasium. Tim O’Brien guests on mandolin on “Roadkill Breakdown” and Peter Rowan sings a duet with fiddler, Carly Frey on one of Rowan’s classic songs, “Midnight Moonlight.”
Mary Z. Cox & Yazid, Drumming on the Edge of Banjo (www.maryzcox.com)
“This is not another African roots meets modern banjo CD,” Mary Z. Cox explains. “It began as an American story—a blend of Afro/Caribbean, Celtic, old time and a fusion of American music from the 17th to the 21st century. It began with a painting from the 1700s entitled ‘The Old Plantation.’ Two men are pictured playing a banjo and a drum for a dance—and we wondered---where would that music have taken them with today’s awesome banjos and drums and the freedom to choose their musicians?” Instrumentation includes banjo, cello banjo, dulcimer, dulcimerette, guitar, drums, percussion, guitar, bass and George Clinton of PFUNK fame contributes vocals on “John Bowlin’s Groundhog Strut.”
The Farewell Drifters, Yellow Tag Mondays (Heart Squeeze Records (www.thefarewelldrifters.com)
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival Mary Tyler Doub describes this Nashville-based band as “engaging and entertaining with beautiful harmonies. The Farewell Drifters are wonderful songwriters and performers.” Thirteen out of fourteen cuts on their debut release are originals from band members Zach Bevill, Joshua Britt, and Clayton Britt. The additional song was penned by Lennon & McCartney. Christian Sedelmyer and Dean Marold round out the group, and Trevor Brandt guests on banjo and vocals.
The Grascals, The Famous Lefty Flynn (Rounder Records, www.rounder.com)
The fourth album from 2006 & 2007 IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals, features a few original songs mixed in with a Monkees cover (“Last Train to Clarksville”), two songs from the Osborne Brothers (“Son of a Sawmill Man” and “Up this Hill and Down”), a Steve Earle song and a gospel number. Band member Jamie Johnson co-wrote the title cut; Danny and Kristin Scott Benson wrote the instrumental, “Blue Rock Slide;” and Johnson, Roberts and bass player Terry Smith collaborated on “My Baby’s Waiting on the Other Side.” Hank Williams, Jr. sang with guitarist Terry Eldredge on “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” a song co-written by Bill Monroe and Hank, Sr.
Nate Grower, Nate Grower (Patuxent Music, www.pxrec.com)
In liner notes Joseph Scott says, “Not many records will give you both a refined rendition of Texas Swing fiddle king Benny Thomasson’s ‘Kansas City Kitty’ and a gnarly explosion of unapologetic old time like Jenes Cottrells’ ‘Cherry River Line,’ but this one does.” The set list includes two originals from Nate, “Cattle in the Cane,” “Fire on the Mountain,” “Grey Eagle,” “Why Did You Wander” and “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages,” plus more. Tom Mindte sings lead, Danny Knicely plays mandolin, Mike Munford is on banjo, Mark Schatz contributes bass, Jordan Tice plays guitar and Nate Leath plays the pizza box.
Melody Hart, My Fiddle and Me (melodyhart_fiddler@yahoo.com)
One of the bright bluegrass lights onstage in Branson, Missouri is fiddling vocalist Melody Hart, who appears daily on the Buck Trent Country Music Show at the new Clay Cooper Theater. Backed by Tim Crouch, Tony Wray, Randy Kohrs, Irl Hees and Jaime Haage, Melody presents songs written by Lester Flatt, Shawn Camp, Allen Reynolds, Bill Monroe, A.P. Carter, David Gates, Leona Williams, Karla Bonoff and her husband, another well-known Branson fiddler, Wayne Massengale.
John Hartford String Band (Bob Carlin, Matt Combs, Mike Compton, Mark Schatz & Chris Sharp); Memories of John (Compass Records, www.compassrecords.com)
Nearly a decade after his passing, the five musicians who toured and recorded with Hartford during his last years gathered to commemorate the music and spirit of their former band leader. Guests include Tim O’Brien, Bela Fleck, Alison Brown, Alan O’Bryant, George Buckner and Eileen Carson Schatz. Hartford himself sings and whistles on “You Don’t Notice Me Ignoring You” and a wordless demo called “Fade Out.” In liner notes O’Brien says, “John never really died, he just handed the physical chores over to some of us. We’re so happy to still feel him running through us. When questions arise, we remember the simple acronym WWJHD—‘What would John Hartford do?’ Listen to this CD when you need a fresh jolt o’ John. It’s good for you.”
The Infamous Stringdusters, Things That Fly (Sugar Hill Records, www.sugarhillrecords.com
Holed up in a Charlottesville, Virginia studio with significant preproduction under their belts and Gary Paczosa on board as engineer and co-producer, the Stringdusters did some new things on this album, including organ playing from Andy Falco, experimentation with reverb on voices and instruments, and guest vocals from Dierks Bentley, Sarah Siskind and Aoife O’Donovan with Crooked Still. The song list includes originals from band members Andy Hall, Travis Book, Jesse Cobb, Chris Pandolfi and Jeremy Garrett, plus a cover from U2 and writers Sarah Siskind, Jon Weisberger, Stephen Mougin and Jody Stecher.
Jeff & Vida, Selma Chalk (Rosebank Records, www.www.jeffandvida.com)
Inside the CD package, “Selma chalk” is described as “an impurity found in the most fertile ground of the South.” All 13 cuts were written by Vida Wakeman—four co-written with Jeff Burke and one with Pat Flory. Instrumentation is guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, arch top guitar, bouzouki and bass, but the focus is on the signature vocals demonstrated by this duo and their songwriting talents.
Jett's Creek, Guilty (http://www.jetts-creek.com/)
The core of this Ohio-based band is Adam McIntosh, his sister, Angie Young and their father, Jon McIntosh—who have played music together for many years. Angie and Adam contribute three originals to the mix, alongside songs written by Jerry Salley, Larry Gatlin, Leroy Drumm & Pete Goble, Mike Evans & Brink Brinkman, Harley Allen and Miranda Lambert. Included: “Denver,” “Georgia Girl,” “The Arms of Tennessee,” “Suzanne,” “Gun Powder and Lead” and more.
Mark Johnson & Emory Lester, Acoustic Vision (Bangtown Records, www.clawgrass.com, www.emorylester.com)
The latest album from acoustic/”clawgrass” duo Mark Johnson and Emory Lester shows off Mark’s original banjo style that melds clawhammer technique with bluegrass drive, interwoven with Emory’s chops on mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, fiddle, acoustic bass and vocals Mark and Emory contribute seven original songs out of fourteen. Additional material includes Gordon Lightfoot’s “Mother of a Miner’s Child,” “Scotty Wiseman’s “Brown Mountain Light,” Sarah Pirkle’s “The Old Time Drunkard,” “Brown County Breakdown,” “Bright Sunny South” and more.
Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Carolina Hurricane (Rural Rhythm Records, www.RuralRhythm.com)
In liner notes broadcaster Buddy Michaels writes, “After years of recording, performing all over the world, several nominations and awards, Lorraine is so excited about her debut album on Rural Rhythm Records. Carolina Hurricane is just like the title—strong and powerful with great, hard-driving cuts like ‘Lady of Tradition,’ ‘Why Do You Do Me Like You Do,’ and ‘Carolina Hurricane.’ You’ll also find soulful ballads like ‘No Smoky Mountains,’ and ’Carolina Blue,’ destined to be a big request from fans.”
Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Cloud of Dust (www.chrisjonesmusic.com)
Back with the first studio album in over 10 years to feature his band, The Nightdrivers, award-winning bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitarist and broadcaster Chris Jones presents Cloud of Dust. The new collection includes originals songs from Jones and band members Jon Weisberger and Ned Luberecki, along with a couple of Charley Pride and Ralph Stanley covers. The recording ends with the humorous “Bluegrass DJs,” written by Jones for broadcasters who need a little song about 1 minute and 33 seconds long to fill in their shows.
Kathy Kallick Band, Between the Hollow and the High Rise (Live Oak Records, www.kathykallick.com)
The current line-up of Kallick’s band includes Tom Bekeny, Greg Booth, Dan Booth and Annie Staninec. Known for her songwriting and lead vocal skills, Kathy contributes close to half of the compositions, which are presented along with the Louvin Brothers’ “There’s a Higher Power,” Carter Stanley’s “Lonesome Night,” Josh Graves’ “Come Walk with Me,” Tom Bekney’s “Winterlight Aire,” the traditional tune “(Get Along Home) Cindy” and more.
Kruger Brothers, Forever and a Day (Double Time Music, Inc., www.doubletimemusic.com)
Be sure to check out the photo of Uwe and Jens Kruger as boys in 1975 in liner notes for their latest CD. The Kruger brothers and bassist Joel Landsberg (the “adopted” brother) present a mostly original set of music, along with the old Anne Murray hit, “Snowbird;” Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All right;” and “If I Needed You,” the Townes Van Zandt classic. This recording from the Swiss trio now based out of North Carolina showcases both their original instrumental and relaxed vocal style.
Jim Lloyd and the Skyliners, Songs from My Attic (Mountain Roads Recordings, www.mountainroadsrecordings.com)
In liner notes Jim Lloyd explains, “Every musician has a collection of songs, gathered over the years, that holds special memories or meanings. These songs, collected and stored in our musical attic, are offered in this collection…in styles and unique arrangements developed over the years of pulling them out, dusting them off, then gently placing them back in memory until the time is right.” Titles include “You Can’t Grow an Onion Upside Down,” “Valentine’s Day,” “The Preacher and the Bear,” “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee” and more.
Tim Martin, Bluegrass Fiddle (Patuxent Music, www.pxrec.com)
Roanoke, Virginia-based fiddler Tim Martin is backed by Jeremy Stephens, David McLaughlin, Marshall Wilborn and Jessie Baker on a set of 16 original tunes. A student of a local fiddler by the name of Walter Isome and a previous band member (at 13) with Jim Eanes & the Shenandoah Valley Boys, Tim’s set list includes “Arthur’s March,” “Popsicle Polka,” “Nettle’s Ridge,” “Tight Squeeze,” “Viscosity Breakdown,” “Thelma’s Waltz” and more.
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Rambler's Call (Rebel Records, www.rebelrecords.com)
The second, straight ahead bluegrass album from Mullins’ Radio Ramblers is dedicated to the memory of his father, legendary radio broadcaster and fiddler Paul “Moon” Mullins. Along with Joe on the five, the band features Tim Kidd, Evan McGregor, Adam McIntosh and Mike Terry. The song list includes material written by Wynn Stewart, Gerald Evans, Connie Smith & Marty Stuart, Aubrey Holt, Jim Rushing, Loretta Lynn, Don Reno, Ronnie Bowman and more.
Nash Street, Between Hope & Heartache (www.nashstreet.com)
The debut from this young Mississippi band that recently re-located in Nashville is a mostly original set of music. Group members include Hannah Melby (fiddle), Caroline Melby (mandolin), Clay Lezon (guitar), Ben Mathis (guitar) and Daniel Hare (bass). Included: “Dirty Laundry,” “Tears of Snow,” “Beautiful Surprises,” Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” and more.
Nu-Blue, Nights (Red Squared, www.nu-blu.com)
In liner notes Tim Stafford says, “Nu-Blu is a North Carolina group based around Daniel and Carolyn Routh. If you’re interested in top-notch driving Carolina-style grass with trademark good vocals, you can’t go wrong with Nu-Blu.” Levi Austin (banjo) and Kendall Gales (mandolin) round out the band, with co-producer Greg Luck guesting on fiddle. The songs were penned by Nanci Griffith, Mark Brinkman, Mollie McCabe, Juice Newton, Larry Shell & Kim Williams and band originals, among others. The first single for radio is “Spin on a Red Brick Floor.”
Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, The Voice of God (Rebel Records, www.rebelrecords.com)
In liner notes Geoffrey Himes says, “Some listeners may be bothered by a gospel record populated with drunkards, prostitutes, cocaine addicts, bad parents and bluesmen. But Don made this record not for the saints already in heaven, but for us flawed mortals still here on earth. Material comes from Sandy Knipp, Tom T. Hall, Larry Cordle, Leslie Satcher, Alan Johnston, Skip Ewing, Phil Wiggins, Paul Craft and Joe Isaacs, among others.
Nell Robinson, Loango (Nell Robinson Music, www.nellrobinsonmusic.com)
San Francisco Bay area-based singer Nell Robinson dedicates her debut album to her grandmothers, Nell Robinson and Thelma Bates. Along with a couple of originals, Nell includes Jimmie Rodgers’ “In My Dear Old Southern Home,” Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” Hazel Dickens’ “Scraps from my Table” and “No Part of Nothing,” plus more. Bonus tracks include an old-time radio spoof featuring chicken sounds and duets from “The Henriettas”—Nell with Cary Sheldon. Guests also include co-producers Jim Nunally and Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, Patrick Sauber, Todd Phillips, John Reischman, Keith Little, Kathy Kallick and more.
James Alan Shelton, Where I'm Bound (Sheltone Records, 129 Will Simpson Road, Church Hill, TN 37642)
Jim Shelton, who has toured as the lead guitarist of Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys for 16 years, has this to say about his tenth solo recording: “I decided to stretch out a bit on this album and do some things that you wouldn’t normally expect to hear from a traditional bluegrass guitar player.” Fourteen cuts include “Where I’m Bound,” “Pastures of Plenty,” “All the Pretty Little Horses” and “Danny Boy” from the folk world; bluegrass tinged versions of “Rose Conley,” “Cherokee Shuffle,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Theme from Dillinger” and a self-penned railroad tribute, “Riding on the Clinchfield,” plus a song each from The Beatles and Buck Owens and two holiday favorites.
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Heartaches and Dreams (Rebel Records, www.rebelrecords.com)
Sisk, who is known for his songwriting as well as his vocal and bandleading abilities, co-wrote one track with his father, Harry Sisk, Sr., on his latest for Rebel: “Heartaches and Dreams.” He also chose material from Tom T. & Dixie Hall (radio single “Train without a Track,”) Larry McPeak, Bill Castle, his cousin and band member Tim Massey, Rick Pardue, Curly Ray Cline & Paul Williams, plus more.
Snyder Family Band, Comin’ On Strong (Mountain Roads Recordings, www.mountainroadsrecordings.com)
In liner notes WNCW DJ Dennis Jones says, “At an age where most children are usually concerned with bicycles and video games, Samantha and Zeb Snyder were winning fiddle and guitar championships. Along with their dad, Bud and mom, Laine, they are today a festival favorite that will have even the most jaded bluegrass fans on the edge of their camp chairs. It’s the pure joy of sharing their God-given talents that beams from both the stage and on CD.” Favorites include “Cattle in the Cane,” “East Tennessee Blues,” “King of Babylon,” Red Haired Boy,” “Heaven’s Bright Shore” and more.
Special Consensus, 35 (Compass Records, www.compassrecords.com)
The first six cuts on Special C’s debut album for the Compass label feature the current line-up: Greg Cahill, Ryan Roberts, Rick Faris and David Thomas, with Stuart Duncan guesting on fiddle. They celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary by inviting some of the 44 alumni back to play and sing on the final six cuts—including Dallas Wayne, Marty Marrone, Al Murphy, Don Stiernberg, Chris Jones, Paul Kramer, John Rice, Drew Carson, Darren Wilcox, Dennis White, Tim Wilson, Scott Salak, Chris Walz, Colby Maddox and Andrea Roberts,
Summertown Road, Summertown Road (Rounder Records, www.rounder.com)
In liner notes Fred Bartenstein describes Summertown Road’s sound as “soulful eastern Kentucky/West Virginia bluegrass music. That corner of the country—with its tight mountain hollows, creeks and rivers, hard times and isolation—has contribute a singular musical ethos. You instinctively know where this music is from.” The debut album from this new combination of bluegrass veterans features John Rigsby, Jack Hicks, Bo Isaac and Randy Thomas.
Trampled by Turtles, Palomino (Banjodad Records, http://trampledbyturtles.com/)
One of the latest new popular bands from the jamgrass world, Trampled by Turtles presents a mostly original set of music delivered with high intensity and speed. The band features Dave SImonett on guitar, Tim Saxhaug on bass, Dave Carroll on banjo, Erik Berry mandolin and Ryan Young on fiddle. Titles include “Victory,” “It’s a War,” “Feet and Bones,” “Sounds Like a Movie,” “Gasoline” and more.
Thea Wescott, Cromwell..and Other Roads (Timberland Ridge Music, www.timberlandridge.com)
A Washington state-based singer originally from Farmington, Missouri, Thea Wescott presents an original collection of songs (with one U2 cover), backed by Bryan Sutton, Mark Fain, Stuart Duncan, Adam Steffey, Rob Ickes, Ron Block, Scott Vestal, Pat McInerney and on harmony vocals Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley. Titles include “Diggin’ Ol Albert’s Grave,” “Blackberry Wine,” “Road to Cromwell,” “Alice,” Sting’s “Fields of Gold” and more.
Will White, Rise Above (Whippoorwill Music, www.willwhitemusic.com)
Will White lives in Hastings County, Ontario, but his original songs reflect memories of growing up in central Virginia and eastern North Carolina. Stripped down acoustic arrangements place the focus on lyrics in songs like “Mournin’ Dove,” “June Bug,” “Fredericksburg 1862,” “November Waltz,” “I Wanna Meet Jesus” and more.
Josh Williams, Down Home (www.joshwilliamsband.com)
The first solo release since 2004 from Josh Williams, two-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, showcases his vocal work, along with his talents on guitar, mandolin and banjo. He is joined by Tony Rice, Rhonda Vincent, Dailey & Vincent, Aaron McDaris, Kenny Ingram, Randy Kohrs, Stuart Duncan and Greg Cahill, among others. Josh blends bluegrass and classic country sounds on songs like “Stealin’ Away,” “Streets of Bakersfield,” “Dream of Me,” “Polka on the Banjo,” “Lonesome Feeling” and more.
Paul Williams & the Victory Trio, Just a Little Closer Home (Rebel Records, www.rebelrecords.com)
Paul Williams’ inimitable tenor range vocals and mandolin work are backed by band members Dan Moneyhun, Adam Winstead, Jerry Keys, Susie Keys and Kevin Jackson on their new gospel bluegrass release on Rebel Records. Titles include Wade Mainer’s “Living the Right Life Now,” “Someone Made the Sandals Jesus Wore” by Tom T & Dixie Hall, Susie Keys’ “There’s Still Time,” Dan Moneyhun’s “I’ve Been Set Free,” and more.
Shannon Wurst, What's More Honest Than a Song? (Fancy Mayhem Records, www.shannonwurst.com)
Ten of twelve cuts are originals from singer/songwriter Shannon Wurst on her debut album. She also includes Merle Travis’ “Sixteen Tons” and J. Wagner’s “Blackbird.” Shannon is joined by Ed Carr, Michael StingRay Garrett, Bernice Hembree, Bryan Hembree, Jon Kennedy, Kelly Mulhollan, Robin Rues and Putnam Smith on guitar, mandolin, bass, brush bucket, fiddle, banjo and piano.
Thomas Wywrot, Every Time I Walk This Road (Right Good Records, www.thomaswywrot.com)
Originally from Ontario, Thomas Wywrot studied bluegrass at East Tennessee State University and has worked as a sideman with The Mark Newton Band, The Boohers and the Alecia Nugent Band. He currently tours with The Isaacs. Thomas steps to center stage with his first solo project, backed by Jason & Jeremy Chapman, Alan Bartram, Randy Kohrs, Jim VanCleve, Ashby Frank, Laura Keel, Jesse Stockman and Daniel Salyer. Thomas plays guitar and banjo and provides harmony vocals. Leads are contributed by Salyer.