Virginia fiddler Billy Hurt is the newest member of Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show.
This gig is right up Billy’s alley. If there is a fiddler out there with a greater love, knowledge and understanding of the roots of traditional bluegrass, there surely can’t be many.
Hurt had worked recently with David Parmley & Continental Divide and The Bluegrass Brothers, but it is his very earliest professional experiences that best inform his suitability for Karl’s band. In his teens, Billy played fiddle with Jim Eanes during the final, declining years of his legendary career. He said that the lessons he took from his time with Jim have help him form a realization about the early days that few Billy’s age can appreciate.
He also had the decided advantage of having the equally legendary old time fiddler Clark Kessinger as a family friend while Billy was growing up and starting to play. Like I said… right up his alley.
Billy also mentioned that Chris Hill is now back with Big Country Show on banjo. In addition to being a fine picker, Billy sees Chris as a consummate entertainer, and a perfect second to Karl’s outsized onstage persona.
He also mentioned that there is some talk about the band starting to work on a new recording project, which will be welcome news to Karl’s many fans. It has been 8 years since his last album.
You can follow the schedule for Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show online.
