Bluegrass Music Spotlight, May 2022

Volume Five

Award-winning bluegrass band Volume Five has a new single titled “What I Didn’t Say” (Mountain Fever Records), written by Volume Five’s lead vocalist and fiddler, Glen Harrell, after he suffered the devastating loss of both parents in 2019.

Glen shared his thoughts on creating the song: “I wrote this tune after losing my dad in a tragic accident while we were working together in August 2019. It brought me to the lowest place I have ever been in my entire life. No matter how much I try to tell myself that it will get easier to cope, the pain is always there. It was even more difficult because I lost my mother to cancer just two months before my dad passed away. Volume Five was performing in California when I got a call that my mom died, and it completely broke my heart that I couldn’t be with her.”

“My parents lived a very simple and modest life. I cherish the memories of sitting on their front porch laughing and having a good time just talking about our lives and what was happening at that time. We have a large family, so we always had cookouts and enjoyed being around each other. When you lose your parents, you always wish you had asked them more questions, listened better when they were talking, told them everything you wanted them to know, and let them know how much you love them. If I had told mine every single day, it would still never be enough.”

“With this song, I just wanted to write something in memory of them and share a little through the lyrics about how losing my dad in the accident truly broke me as a human being. It took the life out of me, and I know I will never be the same. I loved my parents dearly, and I think about them every day. I hope this song will inspire everyone who hears it to take time and visit your mom and dad and spend quality time with them. We all think we will be ready when the time comes, and they leave this world, but I can tell you that even if they live to be 100, you will never be prepared.”

Volume Five includes Glen Harrell on lead vocals; Jacob Burleson on guitar; Aaron Ramsey on mandolin; Chris Wade on banjo; and Zach Collier on bass.

Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell, a bluegrass fiddler and singer-songwriter based in southwestern Virginia, has a released a new single titled “I Hear Banjos” (Turnberry Records).

“I Hear Banjos” was written while on a Zoom call, with the Echo Valley family band from western Pennsylvania. It started as a songwriting exercise for the siblings, and a fun expressive bit about Mitchell’s home in Floyd County, Virginia.

“When we started to write that morning, there was a whole lot of banjo music coming from the room next door to where the other band members were. I asked them about that, and was told ‘its our brother’s banjo Lesson time‘,” says Mitchell.

​”So, when the there’s two banjos in the room next door, and you can’t concentrate about anything else, you write about what you know!“​

Paula Boggs Band

Paula Boggs Band is led by “soulgrass” singer Paula Boggs, based out of Seattle. Her album “Janus” was released April 1, 2022. The band plays a mix of bluegrass, jazz, and Americana music. Named for Janus the Roman god of transition and Boggs’ own mother of the same name, the record includes deeply personal themes of ancestry, memory, and love.

Boggs is a musician, public speaker, writer, lawyer, and philanthropist. The first single, “King Brewster” features a duet between Boggs and Grammy winner Dom Flemons. In addition to singing, Dom plays banjo, bones, and jug.

Mike Compton

Mandolinist Mike Compton and a band of Nashville’s best acoustic musicians have released a set of 13 rarely heard and unreleased instrumentals by Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass. The album, titled “Rare & Fine – Uncommon Tunes of Bill Monroe” features three top fiddlers, Michael Cleveland, Laura Orshaw, and Shad Cobb; Jeremy Stephens plays guitar; Russ Carson on banjo; and Mike Bub plays bass. The musicians gathered at the famed Cowboy Arms Hotel & Recordings Spa in Nashville, Tennessee.

Casey Penn

Singer-songwriter and performing bluegrass and Americana artist Casey Penn has revealed her new single release, “Chasing Rainbows,” from her upcoming album on Mountain Fever Records.

Based in central Arkansas, Casey is a former founding member of the Americana duo Lee Street Lyrical.
Casey won an Arkansas-wide songwriting competition hosted by Infrared Studios with co-writer Rodger King. As a result, the two produced and released an album in 2016 titled Kingpenn.

Thomas Cassell

Mountain Fever Records is re-releasing the song “Traveling Shoes” by mandolinist Thomas Cassell. Thomas is the 2021 National Mandolin Champion and IBMA award winner.

The song was co-written by Cassell and multi-award-winning fiddler and songwriter Becky Buller, who sings harmony on the track. Cassell sings lead vocals, plays mandolin, and is joined by Tim Stafford on guitar (Blue Highway), Julian Pinelli on fiddle, Vince Ilagan on bass (Circus No. 9), and Jacob Metz on dobro (Darin & Brooke Aldridge). The track was recorded at East Tennessee State University by Ben Bateson and Dan Boner.

Originally from the bluegrass mountains of southwest Virginia, Thomas Cassell is among the highest-ranked modern bluegrass musicians. Cassell is a founding member of the highly regarded progressive group Circus No. 9 and has performed as a sideman with Billy Strings, The Bryan Sutton Band, Jim Lauderdale, Missy Raines, Becky Buller and countless others. Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, he is cultivating new and original music grounded in tradition.

In addition to his 2021 National Mandolin Champion award, Cassell was named the 2021 FreshGrass Mandolin Champion; 2020 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association; and 2016 RockyGrass Mandolin Champion.

On the Bus with Bill Monroe

“On the Bus with Bill Monroe – My Five-Year Ride with the Father of Blue Grass” is the title of a new book by Mark Hembree published by University of Illinois Press.

Mark Hembree spent five years (1979–1984) as the bass player for Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. as part of the acclaimed bluegrass band, Hembree performed at the White House and on the iconic album “Master of Bluegrass”. Hembree provides a close look at the touring life of the bluegrass star.

Initial Lineup Revealed for the 6th Suwannee Roots Revival

The 6th Suwannee Roots Revival will take place Thursday, October 13 – Sunday, October 16, 2022 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. The initial lineup of musicians for 2022 includes JJ Grey & Mofro, Punch Brothers, Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Band, Donna the Buffalo, Kitchen Dwellers, Jon Stickley Trio, Jim Lauderdale, Seth Walker, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, Joe Craven, Rev Jeff Mosier Ensemble, The Grass Is Dead, Ralph Roddenbery & the HighRoad, Nikki Talley & Jason Sharp, Nicholas Edward Williams, Sloppy Joe, Quartermoon, The Fried Turkeys, Tania & the Magic Moon Traveling Circus, and more to be announced.

Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on showcasing established as well as up-and-coming American roots musicians throughout a weekend in a beautiful natural setting.

“Creating a lineup has always seemed like painting a musical picture to me,” says festival director Beth Judy. “The work in progress for this year’s Suwannee Roots Revival is taking shape nicely starting with the vivid and unique hues of JJ Grey & Mofro and Punch Brothers to complement the colorful collection of artists we’re blessed to have joining us. I look forward to the completion of this work of art very soon and I’m thrilled at the choices on my musical palate. I can’t wait to share the final product with you!”

Suwannee Roots Revival features multiple stages throughout the weekend. The family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions.

More information is available at www.suwanneerootsrevival.com

Aaron Burdett Releases “The Mountains You Carry” Single

Western North Carolina singer-songwriter Aaron Burdett has released a new single titled “The Mountains You Carry” (Organic Records). The song features Burdett on vocals along with his band that includes new mandolinist Zeb Gambrill, banjo player Laura Ray and long-time bassist Kim France.

“‘The Mountains You Carry’ grew out of a Najwa Zebian quote I stumbled across a couple of years back that I wrote down and kept thinking about,” Burdett recalls. “I believe the original version I read was, ‘These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.’”

“I think that often our greatest personal assets can also be our greatest liabilities when played out to extremes. And I think as adults we’re often really only children grown larger, and we have many of the same feelings and emotions that we did when we were children. I’ve noticed that when I’m angry or agitated it’s almost never the actual thing in front of me today, it’s me reacting to the thing as I would have as a little kid, and bringing my own 40 years of baggage to the situation.”

“Those old feelings get dredged up and set in front of me, like lessons I need to re-learn again and again. These are the ‘mountains’ I carry with me and likely always will. Do I choose to learn from them when they pop up? Not always. But sometimes I can remember that while I’m still the same person, I’m not quite the same kid I was back then. I can do better than I could then. I can take a painful lesson from the past and make my day better today when I’m reminded of it, reminded of the difference between then and now. I can be kind to myself and let it go and move forward without letting that old baggage weigh me down quite as much.

“And I see this in others too, I’m not only speaking about myself. I think we all do this to one degree or another, as ‘grown-up kids’. Maybe this song will remind someone to lighten up and give themselves some grace when they listen to it. Like it says in the first verse: ‘You’re too hard on yourself, you can let it roll by!’”

Caroline Jones Unveils Single and Video Being A Woman (Is Like Being the Sun)

Country singer-songwriter Caroline Jones continues her bluegrass explorations with the song “Being A Woman (Is Like Being the Sun)”. The song features guitarist Rebecca Frazier; bassist Missy Raines; mandolinist Mary Meyer; fiddler Kate Lee O’Connor; and producer and banjo player.

New Grass in the Bluegrass, June 2022

On June 7, 2022, Kentucky Humanities will celebrate its 50th anniversary, in partnership with the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, with the father of Newgrass, Sam Bush and Woodsong’s Old-Time Radio Hour host, Michael Johnathon who will discuss storytelling through song and the effect of music on a particular region, the Commonwealth, and the country at large. For tickets and information, go to: bluegrasshall.org

Banjo Hang with Kyle Tuttle & Tray Wellington

PineCone’s Tray Wellington, and Kyle Tuttle (Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway) will host an informal “Banjo Hang” in Raleigh on May 11, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The audience will be able to listen to these two young banjo players trade songs and discuss their influences, recent and upcoming projects, and some of their favorite tips for playing the five-string instrument that is such a central part of bluegrass music. Register here.

Upcoming PineCone Bluegrass Jams in Raleigh

PineCone Bluegrass Jam, Monday, May 23, 2022 – 7:00pm to 9:30pm, Transfer Co. Food Hall, Raleigh, North Carolina
PineCone Youth Bluegrass Jam, Saturday, May 28, 2022 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Beginners Bluegrass Jam, Monday, June 20, 2022 7:00pm to 9:00pm, Harry’s Guitar Shop, Raleigh, North Carolina

For more information, go to https://pinecone.org

Dunlap & Mabe Release Flowers Down Below

“Flowers Down Below” is a new song from Washington, DC-area bluegrass act Dunlap & Mabe, written and performed by guitarist Jack Dunlap. His colleague is banjo player Robert Mabe. The lineup on includes Jack Dunlap on guitar, mandolin and lead vocals; Robert Mabe on banjo and vocals; Alex Kimble on bass and vocals; and Mason Wright on fiddle.

The Little Roy & Lizzy Show Unveil Welcome To The Show

The Little Roy & Lizzy Show have a new album titled “Welcome To The Show” (Mountain Home Music Company). The bluegrass band is led by multi-instrumentalist and lead singer Lizzy Long, together with multi-instrumentalist Roy Lewis.

The Alex Leach Band Rolls Out its “Little Secret”

The Alex Leach Band has released a new single titled “Little Secret”. East Tennessee musician Alex Leach says about the new recording: “With a brand-new album of original music coming this summer, I couldn’t be more excited to share it with everyone, and ‘Little Secret’ is one of the high energy songs that will be included. It talks about a corrupt boss man who’s always taking advantage of everyone, and one of his workers is about to get back at him for all of his wrongdoings. Although the lyrics are pretty serious, this song has become one of our favorites to have fun with on stage. I hope you enjoy this one, and remember, it’s just a little taste of what’s to come on our new album this summer!”

Dave Adkins Reveals New Single “We’re All Crazy”

“We’re All Crazy” (Mountain Fever Records) is the new bluegrass single recorded by award-winning singer-songwriter, Dave Adkins.

“We’re all crazy sums up how I feel about driving across the country to play an hour and a half of music, and by the time we get home, you realize you are just doing it to play! We’re all crazy about something,” said Adkins.

“Gettin Gone”, New song from Mason Via

“Gettin’ Gone” is a new single written and performed by Mason Via featuring his highly recognizable lead vocals. This is the third single release from Mason’s forthcoming album, scheduled for release later this year. Mason is a member of the Old Crow Medicine Show, made his Grand Ole Opry debut late last year with the band, and is a previous Top 40 finalist o.

In addition to his work as lead vocalist, Mason also lends his guitar talents. He is joined by Thomas Cassell (Circus No. 9) on mandolin; Nick Goad (Sideline) on tenor harmony vocals; Jacob Harbour on baritone harmony vocals; Alex Genova (Fireside Collective) on banjo; Sam Wiess on fiddle; and Ben Somerville on bass.

Mason wrote “Gettin’ Gone” at a fundamental point in his life where he had just graduated from college and was trying to figure out his next big step. “I grew up in a very rural area, a little small town you probably haven’t heard of in North Carolina, where you have to drive 35 minutes to get to the nearest grocery store. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world growing up on the river right next to a mountain. Hiking to the top of the summit by day and skinny dippin by night, you know good ole country living,” said Mason.

“I had always dreamed of taking the big plunge and chasing that neon rainbow…praying there was a pot of gold at the end waiting for me. The bright lights of the Big City were not the only pearls that caught my eye, and I was plain hungry for something more than some 9 to 5 in the same old town I was born in. The way I figured it (and still do) is that this Earth is a pretty big place, and I wasn’t going to fully experience or truly understand it by simply reading about it or watching videos,” explains Mason. “If you have read Kerouac’s On The Road, you might get where I’m coming from here, I was seeking some kind of purpose, and when I wrote this song, I was ready to drift with the wind wherever it was bound to blow. “Gettin’ Gone” pays homage to that rambling spirit and for those like me who yearn for the grand adventure, the greater purpose that might lie just beyond that county line.”

Big Boss Man, New Single from Jussi Syren & The Groundbreakers

Finnish bluegrass act Jussi Syren & The Groundbreakers has a new single titled “Big Boss Man”. The bnd is led by mandolinist and singer Jussi Syren. The band also features Tauri Oksala on banjo’ J.P. Putkonen on guitar’ and Tero Mäenpää on bass.

(headline image: The Alex Leach Band)