This coming weekend at the Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival in Floyd, VA Junior Sisk will officially release his first album for Mountain Fever Records, Poor Boy’s Pleasure. Fans will be able to purchase a copy at the festival, where Junior and Rambler’s Choice will perform four times over two days.
Poor Boy’s Pleasure is just what you hope to hear on a Junior Sisk record: hard-driving traditional bluegrass with a heaping helping of Jimmy Martin and Stanley Brothers-influenced music, delivered mountain style. Recorded with his crack touring band, Rambler’s Choice, and a couple of special guests, the album sparkles with energy and soul.
Jason Davis is on banjo, Jonathan Dillon on mandolin, Jamie Harper on fiddle, and Kameron Keller on bass. Aaron Ramsey plays rhythm guitar, and Ronnie Bowman provides duet harmony with Junior on the debut single, Longneck Blues. Sunny Mountain Boys veteran Paul Williams sings tenor on one track, a Martin-style tribute written by Tim Stafford and Barry Bales called Jimmy, JD, and Paul. You don’t want to miss that one.
In the liner notes Daniel Mullins shares a phrase from his father, Joe, that he feels perfectly describes Junior’s music. He calls it Industrial-Strength Bluegrass, and that sounds just right. Undiluted and only safe in the hands of professionals. Love it!
If you can’t make the festival this weekend, Poor Boy’s Pleasure will be available for download and CD purchase on Friday, May 27.
You can find details on the Chantilly Farms event online.