After a decade-long hiatus from solo recording, two-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Vickie Vaughn returns with “Leavin’,” her first release under her own name since her 2014 debut. Although absent as a solo artist, Vaughn has remained a key figure in bluegrass, co-founding the neo-traditionalist group High Fidelity and serving the past five years as bassist for the all-female string band Della Mae.
The track, written by Bruce Robison and introduced to Vaughn by Della Mae bandmate Kimber Ludiker, was produced by Deanie Richardson, noted fiddler and co-leader of Sister Sadie.
The single features a seasoned lineup: Casey Campbell (mandolin), Cody Kilby (guitar), Wes Corbett (banjo), Dave Racine (drums), Deanie Richardson on fiddle, and harmony vocals by Lillie Mae and Frank Rische. Together, they support Vaughn not just as a bassist, but as a front-and-center vocalist.
“I immediately fell in love with the stream of consciousness style of writing and the emotion present in the song,” Vaughn acknowledges as she considers that long-ago first listen to “Leavin’.” “I’m a pretty emotional gal myself, so singing this and getting to record it felt cathartic. It is definitely a heartstring tugger.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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