We caught up with Alan Bibey over the weekend to discuss all things Grasstowne.
Their next Mountain Fever project, Grasstowne 4, is finished but for the mixing, and is set for release early in 2014. Alan said that its completion was delayed by both he and lead singer Blake Johnson coming down with laryngitis when studio time was booked.
It will include This Old Guitar and Me, featuring Ronnie Bowman, which has been on the charts much of this year.
A new single is set for release next week, a song which Alan, Ronnie and Mark Collie co-wrote, featuring Johnson as lead singer. Cold Dark Ground is the title of this one, a fast 3/4 song about an especially dangerous woman.
It should be sent to radio shortly.
Ron Stewart produced and played fiddle on the new album, recorded with the current band: Justin Jenkins on banjo, Kameron Keller on bass, Johnson on guitar, and Bibey on mandolin. In addition to four new driving grass tunes that Alan wrote with Ronnie Bowman, there is a version of the Flatt & Scruggs Gospel number, You Can Feel It In Your Soul.
“We are really excited about the material and the project as a whole! We think it’s our best effort to date. Justin, Blake and Kameron are incredible musicians, and of course Ron is awesome! We are looking forward to a strong touring season next year.”
Alan also shared a few words about the departure of fiddler Adam Haynes last week.
“We all wish Adam the very best. It was great having him with us this past three plus years, and I’m sure he’ll do well with whatever he does.”
They expect to play as a four-piece for the time being, bringing in fill-in fiddlers on occasion before announcing a new full-timer in 2014.
