Only rarely does a young bluegrass artist receive the sort of universal acclaim ahead of their debut recording that we are hearing about 16-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist Asher Brinson. We heard it about Wyatt Ellis, and it was justified, and we heard it about Sierra Hull, likewise fully justified. Thinking back a ways, we also heard it about Béla Fleck, again warranted by what he has done since.
Will Asher earn those same sort of plaudits in the years to come? We should know soon enough, but the top Nashville players who assisted on his initial recordings sure sing his praises.
Brinson’s Midnight Hurricane project is set to drop this Friday (April 3), and we are delighted to premiere a track today, Lonesome Hobo Song.
There are a number of things that stand out about this talented and promising young man. He’s a left-handed guitarist, playing a custom-made Wayne Henderson guitar, with a mature voice and a storyteller’s soul at 16. A native of coastal North Carolina, he looks more the beach bum than the all-night-at-Galax jammer, but he has earned that cred as well.
Growing up with a dad who played guitar, Asher was surrounded by the music, but it was seeing Billy Strings live three years ago when it all came together, and he knew what he wanted to do with his life. Brinson dove headfirst into flatpicking, and songwriting. He hooked up with Henderson, who has become a mentor and a friend, and noted instructor Chris Henry, who has also been an important influence.
It wasn’t long before the songs from Midnight Hurricane emerged, and he started recording them at Henry’s Noya Mountain Music Studio, assisted by all-stars like Cory Walker on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Sam Bush on mandolin. All three are heard on Lonesome Hobo Song, along with Henry on bass.
Brinson says that this song has an unexpected genesis.
“Lonesome Hobo Song came about from a documentary about train-hopping hobos that my mom, dad, and I were watching. As I was watching the documentary, the lyrics just started coming to me, and I knew it would make a great song. Before the documentary even went off, my dad and I were writing down lyrics, and we pretty much had a song!
When I had my lesson with Chris Henry, I pitched the lyrics and song idea to him. He loved the idea, so he helped me finalize it and put music to it! I really enjoyed writing this song, as it was a very relaxed day with my parents, and my mom even added a few lines to this one! I feel like Lonesome Hobo Song has a great storyline…give it a listen to see where it takes you!”
Give it a listen and see if you agree that this young man has a fine future ahead of him in bluegrass music.
Lonesome Hobo Song, and the full Midnight Hurricane album, will be widely available on April 3 from popular download and streaming services online.
