Bluegrass recording news

Mountain Roads Recordings has set a November 15 release date for Close Kin, a new hybrid project that marries bluegrass and old time musicians in close collaboration. It's no coincidence that the announcement comes on the heels of the Galax Old

Compass Records has announced that Larry Stephenson has signed a multi-album deal with the label, and will begin work in October on a new project for a 2012 release. He will be working at Compass' studio in Nashville, with Ben

Crooked Still is set to release a 7 song, 10 year anniversary album, in a short-form, EP format. It is expected from Signature Sounds on October 25, with a tentative title of Friends Of Fall. Among the 7 tracks, they will

Irish singer/songwriter Niall Toner has posted a video essay which traces his life-long love for bluegrass music, his experiences with Bill Monroe in Ireland over the years, and the inspiration and songcraft that went into his new single, William Smith

The now world-famous Sleepy Man Banjo Boys have been in the studio of late, recording an album of traditional bluegrass instrumental music. The timing of this long-planned venture coincides perfectly with their sudden popularity. A number of appearances on national

Rebel Records recently announced the forthcoming release of two CDs to remember the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Monroe. They have searched their vaults and found a great store of recordings that enables them to release not one, but

I first met C.W. Mundy at IBMA several years ago. To all appearances, he was just another bald-headed banjo fiend at the Huber booth, checking out the wares, and showing off his own custom banjo Huber had made for him

Rock Ridge is a new group in Northern California, with a debut CD to share. Drifter's Prayer is their first release, spearheaded by Rick and Josie Grant. He's on mandolin and she's on guitar, with both trading off on lead and

Cheryl Watson is a bluegrass singer, songwriter and instrumentalist in central Florida with a new CD of her original music. Watertown contains 13 tracks, 12 of them Watson's, plus a version of Beaumont Rag. Cheryl plays mandolin and sings lead with

Northern Virginia-based Shenandoah Drive has a new CD of hard-driving bluegrass, both new and familiar. Old Dirt Road features the music of Danny Seabolt on guitar, Chris King on banjo, Dave Kirk on mandolin, and Gary Creed on bass. All four