Also completing a solo project for a Spring release is flatpicker extraordinaire Kenny Smith. The as-yet untitled album will be released on the new label recently founded by Gat3 studios, where Kenny has been recording since his departure from Lonesome River Band.
Smith is among the more recorded guitarists in recent bluegrass history. He took part in some of the most popular LRB records (Finding The Way, Talkin’ To Myself), plus the several albums with his wife and bandmate as Kenny & Amanda Smith. His first guitar CD, Studebaker, was released in 1997 and he has been chosen to complement the rhythm section on dozens of outside projects.
The IBMA has twice chosen Kenny as their Guitar Player of the Year (1998-99), and he was also the subject of a 2-DVD instructional set from AcuTab Publications.
The new Gat3 project will be all instrumental, featuring a number of new Kenny Smith tunes along with some classics arranged for Kenny’s unique and thoughtful style. Joining him in the studio were Adam Steffey on mandolin, Barry Bales on bass, Adam Hurt on banjo and Aubrey Haynie on fiddle. A few of the tracks were cut with members of The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band.
Kenny says that he is delighted with the way it turned out.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the album. Glenn and I are on the same page. We wanted to make not only the best record we could, but also the best sounding record. The tones, the emotion – I feel like we really captured that.”
More details will be forthcoming next week. Another one to await with eager anticipation!
