I’ve been watching the musical career of Darrell Webb for many a year. He first popped up on my radar as the mandolinist/tenor singer with Lonesome River Band in 1994, hired as the “replacement” for Dan Tyminski when he departed to hitch up with Alison Krauss’ rising star.
After LRB, he did a stint with JD Crowe & The New South, and then several years with Wildfire. That was followed by a run with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and more recently with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and Audie Blaylock and Redline. All this by the time he was 34 years old!
Unsurprisingly, after so many years working as a sideman, this talented singer and multi-instrumentalist has decided to give it a try as a bandleader, and the first effort from The Darrell Webb Band, Bloodline, hits July 13 on Rural Rhythm Records. Joining Webb n mandolin and lead vocals are Chris Wade on banjo, Jeremy Arrowood on bass, Asa Gravely on guitar, and Tyler Kirkpatrick on resonator guitar. Jim VanCleve guests on fiddle.
Mano monster Adam Steffey gives the band a big thumbs up in his liner notes for Bloodline…
“With this recording, Darrell has taken the next logical step in his musical progression. Most people that have been fans of this music over the last several years are surely familiar with Darrell and his ability. And I also know a lot of folks have been wondering when he would put his own group together. Well, the wait is over! Darrell has recorded a fantastic album of songs that I KNOW you’re going to enjoy.”
Material for the new album comes from a number of noted writers: Larry Cordle, Connie Leigh, Elmer Burchette, Jimbo Whaley and Jerry Cole. Here’s a taste of several songs from the CD.
Darrell and his crew will be an official showcase act at IBMA’s 2010 World Of Bluegrass in Nashville, and are headed to Canada for an appearance in New Brunswick in July. You can find all their tour dates online.
Information about pre-orders can be found on Darrell’s web site.
