The Infamous Stringdusters. Photo by David McLister.

Nashville, Tenn. — When “The Infamous Stringdusters” is released June 10 on Sugar Hill Records, some may assume from the title that it’s a debut recording. Those already aware of the Stringdusters phenomenon will know differently, that 2007’s “Fork in the Road” was the album that boldly introduced this daring, disciplined band to the world of bluegrass and a wider world of music enthusiasts who heard it and decided: ‘if that’s bluegrass, then I love bluegrass.’ Fork in the Road was named Album of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Its title track was named Song of the Year, and the band itself earned the honor of best emerging artist in a competitive field. It was a stunning cap to an amazing 2007.

Yet “The Infamous Stringdusters” feels like an introduction of a sort. Whereas “Fork in the Road” was made during their first potent months together, the new CD represents all the band has become during two years of intense touring, meticulous woodshedding and brotherly jamming. It’s their first record with accomplished guitarist Andy Falco, whose blues-infused licks and stunning virtuosity has added a new facet to the band’s musical personality. It’s the first with the band’s dream producer Tim O’Brien, a Grammy-winning musician who has pioneered and embodied the progressive school of roots and bluegrass that underlies the Stringdusters sound. And of course it’s the first with these songs - nine band originals supplemented by a few carefully chosen tunes from colleagues in the acoustic music community.

Dobroist Andy Hall’s “Well, Well” captures a character in limbo between desperation and optimism. Bassist Travis Book contributed several songs, including the sentimental “Bound For Tennessee.” Fiddler and singer Jeremy Garrett lends layers of lonesome to his song “When Silence is the Only Sound.” Meanwhile, “Loving You” by Grammy nominated writer Sarah Siskind is a signature example of what sets the Stringdusters apart, with its off-kilter groove and dark-hued melody. The bluesy and slightly demented “Get It While You Can” was composed by Bad Livers mad genius Danny Barnes. And rippling newgrass instrumentals from the hands of mandolinist Jesse Cobb (”Golden Ticket”), banjo master Chris Pandolfi (”Glass Elevator”) and Hall (”Black Rock”) complement the album with flawless examples of the band’s trademark instrumental virtuosity.

In their breakout year of 2007, the Infamous Stringdusters played over 150 dates, including the biggest festivals in acoustic music, jammed on major stages with heroes like David Grisman and Sam Bush, and landed a development deal for motion picture music with Lions Gate Entertainment. With the release of The Infamous Stringdusters, 2008 promises more roads and more new fans in bluegrass and beyond.

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Burlington, MA — On June 24, Rounder Records will release “The Room Over Mine,” the new album from Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass. Raised to the strains of classic bluegrass, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass learned the ropes first-hand as the sons (and eventually bandmates) of such beloved figures as Bob Paisley, Ted Lundy, and Donnie Eldreth. Honed over decades of playing festivals, honky-tonks, Legion halls, and everywhere in between, their sound proudly reflects the timeless bluegrass soul of their fathers – while imparting a razor’s edge intensity all their own.

In 2004, Bob Paisley, Danny’s father – lead singer and founder of The Southern Grass – passed away, leaving Danny and his bandmates devastated. It was a trying time for Danny, personally and professionally as he had spent the past 32 years on stage next to his father. He was not sure if he could, or would, be able to go on with his music. After careful thought, Paisley and the entire band decided to continue the tradition by not only continuing to perform but by expanding their touring and recording frontiers. It would prove to be a great way to honor and preserve the memory and music of the Paisley and Lundy families.

As his father did before him, when Paisley looked for material for “The Room Over Mine,” he looked first to the past. Classic country tunes such as Marty Robbins’ “End of a Long Lonely Day,” Porter Wagoner’s “I Thought I Heard You Call My Name,” Little Jimmy Dickens’ “Another Bridge,” and Gene Watson’s “Raisin’ Cane,” were added to the album. There are also Southern Grass and Southern Mountain Boys standards newly recorded here, such as “The Room Over Mine” and “Mountain Sally Ann.” The album’s opener, “Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away,” is a great Chris Stuart song that, although recently written, could be decades old.

Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. It is music born of the vibrant old time southern fiddle bands, as well as the lonesome moans of the backwoods mountain blues. The instruments blaze with energy while the songs reveal a paradoxical, desperate sadness anchoring the music squarely in the classic bluegrass tradition. Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass combine those forces with a drive and energy that takes over your senses. It is music you not only hear, but feel in your gut.

“The Room Over Mine” Track Listing:

1. Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away
2. The Convict and the Rose
3. I’m Leaving Detroit
4. I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name
5. A Memory of You
6. Sweet Potato Rag
7. I’m Coming Back but I Don’t Know When
8. Another Bridge to Burn
9. Raising Cane in Texas
10. Room Over Mine
11. Backstep Sally Ann
12. At the End of a Long Lonely Day
13. Drowning Sailor

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Apr 5 — Allegany Arts Council - Frostburg, MD
Apr 6 — Jumbo Jimmy’s - Perryville, MD
Apr 19 — Seisholtzville Fire House - Seisholtzville, PA
Apr 20 — Jumbo Jimmy’s - Perryville, MD
Apr 26 — Town Hall Opry - Bainbridge, NY
Apr 27 — Adirondack Big League - Saratoga Springs, NY

May 8 — Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival - Denton, NC
May 9 — Town Pump Tavern - Black Mountain, NC
May 11 — Jumbo Jimmy’s - Perryville, MD
May 15 — Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Festival - Amelia, VA
May 17 — Strawberry Jam Festival - Greenback, TN
May 18 — Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival - Gettysburg, PA
May 23 — DelFest - Cumberland, MD
May 24-25 — Tri State Bluegrass Festival - Kendallville, IN

Jun 7 — Joe Haftl Bluegrass Benefit - Kennett Square, PA
Jun 13 — Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival - Wind Gap, PA
Jun 14 — Mountain Vista Bluegrass Festival - Pavia, PA
Jun 19-20 — Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival - Bean Blossom, IN
Jun 21 — Poston Lake Bluegrass Festival - Guysville, OH
Jun 27-28 — Jenny Brook Family Bluegrass Festival - Weston, VT

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Greg Cahill

“Ultimate Banjo,” the third installment in Pinecastle Records’ Ultimate series, was released Wednesday.

The album features banjo greats who are featured on Pinecastle recordings as well as others who have made their marks with the five-string. Tracks feature Sonny Osborne, Eddie Adcock, Greg Cahill, Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, Scott Vestal, David McLaughlin, Kristin Scott Benson, Jeff Murray, Jim Mills, Aaron McDaris and Ross Nickerson.

“Ultimate Banjo” is a 20-song instrumental compilation that showcases the fast, hard-driving, three-finger bluegrass style.

In addition to focusing on the sound of the banjo, Pinecastle also wanted to spread some knowledge about the instrument’s history.

Greg Cahill, chairman of the board and president of the International Bluegrass Music Association, banjo player extraordinaire and founder of the Chicago-based band Special Consensus, composed detailed liner-notes on the musical evolution of the banjo.

The new compilation follows the release of Pinecastle’s “Ultimate Pickin‘” and “More Ultimate Pickin‘.”

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The Greencards will appear on World Cafe Live on April 9. Photo by Aaron Farrington.

Gillian Welch on lineup for Paul Simon celebration

The Brooklyn Academy of Music is putting on a special series celebrating the music and lyrics of Paul Simon. One of the programs, titled American Tunes, will feature Gillian Welch as well as Josh Groban, Olu Dara, Grizzly Bear, The Roches, and Paul Simon himself.

American Tunes will take place at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House April 23-27th. Ticket prices range from $45 to $95, and are on sale through the BAM website or by calling BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100. Tickets are already on sale.

The Greencards on WXPN World Cafe Live

The Greencards will perform and visit with host David Dye on World Cafe Live at WXPN Studios in Philadelphia, PA on April 9. The 7:30 show will also feature Tim O’Brien.

Monday through Friday at 2pm ET the World Cafe with host David Dye serves up an eclectic mix of music from blues, rock, and world, to folk, and alternative country with live performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists. This acclaimed program, distributed nationally to over 185 stations across the country through NPR, is produced by WXPN in Philadelphia.

“Bluegrass Returns to its Roots Festival” taking place April 10 & 12

The 7th annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots Festival will take place April 10-12 at the Excutive Inn Rivermont in Owensboro, KY.

The festival kicks off Thursday night with a “Bluegrass Battle of the Bands” contest with admission running $6.00.

On Friday things kick in to overdrive with 4 of the fastest rising Bluegrass bands on the scene scheduled to play. The Steeldrivers will kick off the show at 3:00 PM followed by Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals and The Steep Canyon Rangers. All bands will play 2 sets with music ending at 10:45 PM.

Saturday’s lineup welcomes one of the biggest names in bluegrass to the stage with J.D. Crowe and the New South as well as New Found Road, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and Bawn in the Mash. Music starts at 3:00 PM on Saturday and will run till 10:45 PM.

1 day tickets for Friday or Saturday run $27.50 each or a two-day pass is $50.00. “Bluegrass” room rates start at $79.00 + tax a night with breakfast for 2 included in the deal.

For More information call 800-626-1936 or 270-926-8000 or visit the Executive Inn online.

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