Ernie Thacker "The Hangman" (Pinecastle Records)

What, you may ask, is a CD recorded in 2006 doing just hitting retail outlets?

Ask Ernie Thacker, and he’ll tell you to have a seat; you aren’t going to believe this.

The CD is Thacker’s newest, called The Hangman and released late last year. And Thacker, himself, might tell you there were times when he didn’t think The Hangman would ever be released — or if so, maybe as a tribute, a memorial, a musical epitaph.

Thacker started recording this CD before he was almost killed in a car accident on April 18, 2006. Thacker’s injuries were extensive and life-threatening.

“He suffered from a dissected aorta, ruptured spleen, dislocated elbow, punctured lung; both collarbones were broken, as well as every rib,” according to information on Pinecastle’s Web site.

“He was left on life support and in a coma for two months. After 102 days in ICU, Ernie was transferred into rehabilitation where he spent an additional three months before returning home. As a result of the accident, Ernie is now paralyzed from the waist down.”

The wreck may have left unimaginable scars on Thacker’s body and soul, but rest assured, it did no damage at all to his fine voice, his resolve and his bluegrass spirit.

The Hangman, which was finally finished last year, is full of good songs, fine singing and solid instrumentation from the three members of Thacker’s band, Route 23, which has stayed with the boss man through the dark times. In fact, the only guest artist on The Hangman is John Rigsby, who adds some nice fiddle work to several cuts.

Route 23 includes Ernie Thacker’s little brother Matthew on bass, Dick Roach on banjo and Brandon Shupping on mandolin.

The title cut, written by another Thacker brother, Dave, is a cowboy tune, maybe even a bit in the vein of Marty Robbins.

Thacker’s voice is especially effective on the haunting Keith Whitley tribute, “Keith How Many,” written by Thacker and Melvin Burns. (But this is a song you might expect from someone who has two sons, one named Keith and other Whitley, huh?)Thacker also pours a lot of emotion into “Friday Once Again,” a sad melody about the hollow feelings that comes from being a divorced dad coping with weekend time with your child.

Ernie Thacker and the band really sparkle on a fresh reworking of an old staple, the Louvin Brothers’ “I Wish You Knew.” And, standing out as something different, something you might not expect from Thacker, is a nice bluegrassy version of Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

Another standout — partly because of Shupping’s lightning fast and effective mandolin work — is “This Drinkin’ Will Kill Me,” a Dwight Yoakum-penned barroom anthem.

This is also a CD where the liner notes really are worth reading. All three of Thacker’s bandmates were playing with him at the time of his accident.

Considering all that Ernie Thacker and his band have been through, their “thank you” comments are especially touching and meaningful.

Just because of unfortunate circumstances, I’d venture a guess this will be a highly sought-after CD by Thacker’s many friends and fans who have missed him on the festival circuit. But, pushing unfortunate circumstances aside, The Hangman stands very well on its own as a commendable entry into today’s bluegrass market.