Steeldrivers on final drive for 2008 IBMA Emerging Artist honor
The Steeldrivers- “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey”
The Steeldrivers, new on the bluegrass scene this year, are indicative that the times very well are a changin’. Backing up that indication is this observation from Tammy Rodgers, the band’s fiddler: “Certainly we want to keep one foot in the bluegrass world—that’s a great thing, but I think our music is broader than just a traditional bluegrass format and that’s what we all hope for it to be.”
Evidentally, the band has found a good target. Fellow members of the International Bluegrass Music Association have placed The Steeldrivers on their list of finalists for Emerging Artist of the Year. Not to mention, the band is also up for album of the year and song of the year, “Drinkin’Dark Whiskey,” written by mandolinist Mike Henderson and guitarist and lead vocalist, Chris Stapleton.
The band’s self-titled CD on Rounder Records consists of 11 original tunes that, according to Rounder, “profoundly resonate with classic bluegrass soul while exploring entirely modern lyrical and harmonic byways.”
Other members of the band are Mike Fleming on bass and banjo player Richard Bailey.
Website:
The Steeldrivers Discography:
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Steeldrivers | Rounder |
Other Media:
The Steeldrivers - A Lonesome Goodbye
Read about other 2008 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year Nominees
Who’s going to win the 2008 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year? Vote for your Favorite below!
The Steeldrivers Conan performance video available on Rounder’s web site.
The Steeldrivers on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien.Burlington, MA - The SteelDrivers, referred to as “a force in bluegrass and beyond” by USA Today, continue the momentum they have gained from the release of their acclaimed self-titled album earlier this year. The group recently performed on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Mountain Stage, and were also nominated for the New Emerging Artist of the Year Award by the Americana Music Association.
Check out their performance on Conan here: http://www.rounder.com/thesteeldrivers/conan/
On their national debut album (consisting of all original material), The SteelDrivers’ back-country high lonesome collides with Delta soul, and is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge from Nashville in a long time. Highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session players with innumerable hits, cuts and licks to their credit, this batch of seasoned pros has performed to sold out crowds from their inception almost two years ago. While offering new takes on classic themes of redemption and loss, and hope and home, their songs are equally informed by the mountain sound of Ralph Stanley and the rhythm and blues of Ray Charles. Stretching the boundaries of your typical bluegrass band, the rock/blues/soul vocals of guitarist Chris Stapleton put back-country lonesome sounds smack dab in the middle of town.
The SteelDrivers are: mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson, guitarist/vocalist Chris Stapleton, fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers, banjo player Richard Bailey and bassist Mike Fleming.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Aug 22 — Station Inn - Nashville, TN
Aug 23 — Bluegrass Festival in the Square - Corydon, IN
Aug 30 — Strawberry Music Festival - Yosemite, CA
Sep 5 — Station Inn - Nashville, TN
Sep 6 — Capitol Theatre - Greeneville, TN
Sep 17 — Station Inn (AMA Showcase) - Nashville, TN
Sep 19 — Mojo’s - Columbia, MO
Sep 20 — The Folly Theatre - Kansas City, MO
Sep 27 — Flat Rock Music Festival - Flat Rock, NC
Sep 28 — Fortune Williams Music Festival - Staunton, VA
Sep 30 — Grand Ole Opry - Bill Monroe Celebration - Nashville, TN
Bluegrass Festival and Events Calendar - July 18
Television
July 18 — The Steeldrivers will appear on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien tonight. Check local listing for time and station.
Michigan
July 18-20 — Farmlane Bluegrass & Old Country Music Festival - Grass Lake, MI.
Bluegrass Artists scheduled include: The Larkin Family, Cedar Creek, Southern Explosion, Radio Gang, Clark Brothers and many more. Their are several option and prices for attending this festival listed on their web site.
Ohio
July 18-19 — Country Stage Bluegrass Festival - Nova, OH.
Bluegrass artists scheduled to appear include: Buck & Company, Spanky Moore Gang, Harbourtown, Hardline Drive, Highland Grass and more. A pass good for both days of the festival sells for $25 and single day tickets are $15 (Fri) and $20 (Sat). Weekend pass includes free primitive camping.
Got an item for the calendar? We’re looking for Festivals, Special events, Jam Sessions, etc… If it relates to the world of Bluegrass we want to know about it. Send us the who, what, when and where and other details you’ve got and we’ll do our best to let everyone know about it. Send your Bluegrass Calendar items to subscriber@bluegrassjournal.com.
No commentsSteeldrivers to make appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Mountain Stage this month
The Steeldrivers will make television appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Mountain Stage this month. Photo by David McClister.Burlington, MA – The SteelDrivers, referred to as “a force in bluegrass and beyond” by USA Today, continue the momentum they have gained from the release of their acclaimed self-titled album earlier this year. The group will be performing on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Friday, July 18 and on Mountain Stage on Sunday, July 27. The SteelDrivers were also recently nominated for the New Emerging Artist of the Year Award by the Americana Music Association.
On their national debut album (consisting of all original material), The SteelDrivers’ back-country high lonesome collides with Delta soul, and is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge from Nashville in a long time. Highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session players with innumerable hits, cuts and licks to their credit, this batch of seasoned pros has performed to sold out crowds from their inception almost two years ago. While offering new takes on classic themes of redemption and loss, and hope and home, their songs are equally informed by the mountain sound of Ralph Stanley and the rhythm and blues of Ray Charles. Stretching the boundaries of your typical bluegrass band, the rock/blues/soul vocals of guitarist Chris Stapleton put back-country lonesome sounds smack dab in the middle of town.
The SteelDrivers are: mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson, guitarist/vocalist Chris Stapleton, fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers, banjo player Richard Bailey and bassist Mike Fleming.
The Steeldrivers Performance Schedule:
Jul 17 — Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival - Oak Hill, NY
Jul 25 — Rocky Grass Festival - Lyons, CO
Jul 26 — Musicians Against Childhood Cancer - Columbus, OH
Jul 27 — Mountain Stage - Charleston, VA
Aug 2 — Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival - Hartford, CT
Aug 8 — Lovett Live - Murray, KY
Aug 9 — Bluegrass in the Park Folk Life Festival - Henderson, KY
Aug 22 — Station Inn - Nashville, TN
Aug 23 — Bluegrass Festival in the Square - Corydon, IN
Aug 30 — Strawberry Music Festival — Yosemite, CA
Bluegrass on the bill for CMA Music Festival
Dan Tyminski
The Greencards 
Mountain Heart
Sierra HullNashville, Tenn. — A handful of Bluegrass Artists are scheduled to play the CMA Music Festival, June 5-8, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. The CMA Music Festival, formally known as Fan Fest, includes more than 400 artists performing concerts and participating in Meet and Greets and Autograph Sessions for over 185,000 fans.
Bluegrassers scheduled for appearances during the CMA Music Festival include: The Grascals, The Greencards, Sierra Hull, Dan Tyminiski, The Steeldrivers, Riders in the Sky and Mountain Heart. See listing below for times and places.
Proceeds from the Festival are donated to the CMA’s charity “Keep the Music Playing” which supports music education in Metro Nashvilles, public school system through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education.
All performances at the Chevy Plaza are free and open to the public.
The Steeldrivers, Kathy Mattea and Old Crow Medicine show are also scheduled to perform on Marty Stuarts Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium during the CMA Music Festival.
Thursday, June 5, 2008 (11:00 AM - 4:30 PM) - Chevy™ Plaza
Free and open to the public. Sonny Burgess, Sierra Hull, KingBilly, Lucky Bucks, Daniel Lee Martin, Mountain Heart, The Steeldrivers, and Dan Tyminiski.
Sommet Center
Saturday, June 7, 2008 (11:00 AM - 4:40 PM) - Chevy™ Plaza
Free and open to the public. Deborah Allen, Band of Heathens, The Greencards, Jedd Hughes, James Intveld, Noe Palma, Michael Peterson, and Trent Summar.
Sommet Center
Sunday, June 8, 2008 (11:00 AM - 3:30 PM) - Chevy™ Plaza
Free and open to the public. The Grascals, La Familia, Little Joe, Bobby Marquez, Augie Meyers, Chase Mitchell, Ruben Ramos, Charlie Rich Jr., and Riders In The Sky.
Sommet Center
Marty Stuart’s 7th Annual Late Night Jam — Ryman Auditorium - June 4, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives (Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, Brian Glenn), Charlie Daniels Band, John Rich & Friends, Kathy Mattea, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sunny Sweeney, The SteelDrivers, Mike Farris, and Gretchen Wilson! This concert benefits MusiCares, the philanthropic arm of The Recording Academy. To order tickets call (615) 255-9600 or go online www.ticketmaster.com
