The demise of J.D. Crowe & The New South with Crowe’s recent retirement has left a big hole in the bluegrass scene. The distinctive sound that he maintained over 40 plus years with this group has left a deep impression on our music, one that continues to be felt to this day.
Now comes Flashback, a newly-formed band consisting of members of The New South in the mid-1990s, reunited to perform and record their take on that classic, J.D. Crowe sound.
The band consists of Richard Bennett on guitar and lead vocals, Don Rigsby on mandolin and lead vocals, Phil Leadbetter on resonator guitar, and Curt Chapman on bass. Their band name comes from the title of the album they released with Crowe in 1995. The fact that Flashback also perfectly describes their return to working together as a unit is merely a happy coincidence.
Since their time with Crowe, each of these men have developed into stalwarts in the bluegrass artist community, with numerous solo and band projects to their credit. Together they already have their previous success with Crowe, and the fan response to a number of shows with him last year as The Flashback Reunion Band before his health required him to take it slow.
An album of their music is in the works, expected early in 2017 from Pinecastle Reords. A total of three singles are scheduled for release this year, with the first, The Foxhounds and Fiddles, out today. It’s a new song written by Bennett and Rigsby.
Helping out on the recording are Ron Stewart on banjo and Tim Crouch on fiddle. A full time banjo player for Flashback will be announced soon.
Radio programmers can download The Foxhounds and Fiddles now from Airplay Direct.
Leadbetter is booking the band, and can be reached online.
