Anthony Howell Archives - Bluegrass Today

Anthony Howell to Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

It’s band member trading season again in the bluegrass world, and today we have word that Anthony Howell is the new guitarist with Seth Mulder & Midnight Run.

A skilled multi-instrumentalist, Anthony had been playing banjo with the Edgar Loudermilk Band, during which time he won the National Banjo Championship in Winfield, KS.

Howell says it was a good time on the road with Loudermilk, and he will always remember his time with the band.

“The last two years with Edgar Loudermilk have been great! We made lots of really good music and we had a great time on the road together. I wish him continued success in all his future endeavors. He’s got some cool things in the works, and I’m excited for him, Zack, and Jake!”

In his new gig, Anthony will not only be playing guitar, but helping out vocally with Midnight Run. That’s not something he got to do in his prior gig with Williamson Branch.

Seth says they are all psyched to see Anthony join the group.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Anthony Howell to the band on guitar! While many know Anthony as a phenomenal banjo player, not everyone has had the chance to witness his incredible guitar skills – and trust us, they’re killer. From the very first time we played together, something just clicked, and we all knew we wanted to make music together. We can’t wait for you all to hear him in action!”

We are able to do just that in a recent video of Seth and company, where Howell sings I Still Miss Someone.

Anthony joins Mulder on mandolin, Colton Powers on banjo, and Tyler Griffith on bass. The fiddle spot is currently open in the band, and Seth is trying out a number of fiddlers. Ella Jordan is seen with Midnight Run in the video.

For Howell, this position offers a number of benefits.

“I’m really excited to be joining Midnight Run, and I’m thrilled to be playing guitar for a change! I’ve always liked the idea of playing music with Seth, because, for one, we’ve been good friends for a long time, and secondly, I love his style of music. It matches the natural way I play guitar so it’s really comfortable.

It’s time for a break from the banjo anyway. My right hand tends to bother me some these days, so some time away from the banjo will do some good. I do still plan to maintain my banjo videos on social media.

I’m excited for next year, and I can’t wait to make music with these guys!”

You can follow Midnight Run online to see when they will be performing in your area.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing from Anthony Howell

Banjo picker Anthony Howell has a Christmas single on offer this year, his version of the English carol, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, surely among the most popular Christmas hymns of the past 300 years.

A multi-instrumentalist and singer, Howell currently works as banjo picker with The Edgar Loudermilk Band. Before that, he spent several years touring with Williamson Branch.

His Hark The Herald Angels Sing is a solo effort in the truest sense, as he plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals on this track. Followers of this talented artist won’t be surprised that he gives it a traditional bluegrass arrangement here.

Have a listen…

Hark The Herald Angels Sing from Anthony Howell will be available on December 9 from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track now via AirPlay Direct.

You can check out all the Christmas bluegrass we have covered at Bluegrass Today by following this link.

Hold Back The Dawn – Anthony Howell

Most audiences know Anthony Howell for his work as a sideman, playing banjo for groups such as Williamson Branch and the Edgar Loudermilk Band. His latest solo release, Hold Back The Dawn, spotlights Howell’s aptitude on all of the bluegrass instruments, as well as his abilities as a vocalist and composer.

The project opens with Michael’s Prayer, one of three instrumentals written by Howell. This piece along with the tune, Serenity, have a soothing, gentle nature about them. Wilson County Breakdown is a driving track which features Anthony’s tasteful banjo playing as well as solid mandolin and guitar solos.

The other tracks on this album come from a wide array of sources and feature a great variety of vocal talent alongside Anthony. Midnight On The Stormy Deep has been recorded by scores of bluegrass artists over the years. Here it is performed by Robert Montgomery and Alan Sibley. This performance sticks closely to the arrangement recorded by Bill Monroe in 1966.

Matthew 24 is one of a few different gospel songs featured on the project. This track features Howell’s current bossman, Edgar Loudermilk, on lead vocals as well as his bandmate Zack Autry on tenor vocals. Anthony sings both the baritone and bass parts.

Little Bessie is a traditional folk song that’s patterned after the rendition recorded by the Country Gentlemen in 1971. Marty Hays of David Davis & The Warrior River Boys does an exceptional job singing the high lead vocal on this track. Don Robinson of Magnolia Drive and Howell provide the harmony vocals.

Salt River Canyon was written and first recorded by Anthony’s former employer Kevin Williamson his 1993 solo album, Write Between The Lines. To retell the captivating fictional story set in the wild west, Williamson is joined by Shawn Lane on tenor vocals and Howell on baritone vocals. It is truly a standout performance.

Grandfather’s Clock is a song widely known in traditional music circles, yet it’s performed here unlike any other rendition that I’ve heard. Featuring Marty Hays on lead vocals, with Anthony providing accompaniment on fingerstyle guitar, banjo, and mandolin, this piece is played in a slow gentle fashion allowing the listener to fully digest the clock’s somber tale.

When I’m Dead My Dearest is a nineteenth century poem that’s been converted to song and performed here as a contemporary bluegrass song. Featuring vocals from Judah Buggay, Don Robinson, and Howell, this track also demonstrates Anthony’s strong ability on the dobro.

Hold Back The Dawn is a fine demonstration of Anthony Howell as a multi-instrumentalist. It’s also clear from the track listing and supporting cast that he has a great ear for selecting material and vocalists that best spotlight his talents as a musician and singer.

Wilson County Breakdown from Anthony Howell

Most folks think of young bluegrass artist Anthony Howell as a banjo player, the position he holds with the Edgar Loudermilk Band. Many also remember him from that same role with Williamson Branch for several years.

But in truth, Howell is as skilled on the other bluegrass instruments as he is on banjo, as we can clearly see on his just released solo album, Hold Back The Dawn. There he plays banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass on all the tracks, demonstrating a level of expertise rarely seen in our music.

A new single, Wilson County Breakdown, is released with the full album, a banjo tune Anthony wrote. The project isn’t all instrumental; a number of vocalists are featured as well, including Edgar Loudermilk, Kadence Williamson, Alan Sibley, Don Robinson, Shawn Lane, and Kevin Willismson.

But for the moment, have a listen to Wilson County Breakdown.

Both Wilson County Breakdown and the full Hold Back The Dawn album are available now from popular download and streaming services online. Audio CDs can be purchased directly from the artist if you contact him via Facebook, or see him at an Edgar Loudermilk Band show.

When I’m Dead My Dearest from Anthony Howell

Mississippi bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Anthony Howell has a new single to share this week, a 19th century poem converted to song called When I’m Dead My Dearest.

Bluegrass lovers have seen this young picker this past four years playing banjo and mandolin with Williamson Branch, though he is now working on banjo with the Edgar Loudermilk Band. When you hear him play it is hard to reconcile his skill, poise, and professionalism with his tender age of 20 years. But this talented artist has been playing bluegrass since he was 12, and is as solid as many a musician twice his age.

For When I’m Dead My Dearest, Howell has brought in Judah Buggay to sing lead, supported by tenor vocals from Don Robinson of Magnolia Drive, and a low part from Anthony. All the instruments on the track are played by Howell.

He takes it at a quick bluegrass clip, with the plaintive entreaty of the lyrics shining through.

Have a listen…

When I’m Dead My Dearest is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track from GetItPlayed.

Anthony Howell joins the Edgar Loudermilk Band

A few weeks ago we shared the news that Anthony Howell was leaving his job with Williamson Branch. The young multi-instrumentalist had essentially launched his professional career with the Williamsons, where he primarily played banjo, but also supported the family group on mandolin or guitar as needed.

Now a confident young artist in his own right, Anthony has joined up with The Edgar Loudermilk Band on banjo, starting this coming weekend. There he joins Zack Autry on mandolin and Jamey Pittman on lead guitar, alongside Loudermilk on bass who sings the lead vocals and writes the bulk of the group’s material. Bluegrass fans first became familiar with Edgar during his many years on bass with Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and have continued to follow him in his solo career.

Howell, a native of Mississippi, has been turning heads in bluegrass since he was a young teen. He started playing at the age of 11, and has titles from the Mississippi State Bluegrass Championship in both guitar and banjo, plus a second place on mandolin. Twice the Magnolia State Bluegrass Association has named him their Banjo Player of the Year (2017-18), and he was the second runner-up this year at the prestigious National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS.

Speaking of his new banjo man, Edgar says…

“We are excited to welcome Anthony to the band! Always enjoyed his playing, and when we got the chance to pick together, he fit like a glove. He has a great work ethic and he showed up knowing all of our material very well. I can’t wait to see what all he brings to the band. We’re looking forward to a very busy season in 2023 with Anthony on the Five.”

And Howell is happy for this new opportunity.

“I’ve always been an Edgar Loudermilk fan. I loved his singing back when he was working with Russell Moore and, I love his band sound! I think it’s going to be a good fit and I’m excited for what’s to come!”

You can catch Anthony with The Edgar Loudermilk Band this weekend at the Drum & Strum in Warrenton, VA on Thursday (10/13), the Butler Home Concert Series in Wheeling, WV on Friday, and The Mountaineer Opry on Saturday in Barboursville, WV.

You can learn more about the band and see all of their tour stops online.

Anthony Howell departing Williamson Branch

Anthony Howell, the talented young multi-instrumentalist playing banjo, mandolin, and guitar with Williamson Branch, has announced that he is leaving the group.

For the past several years, Howell has been the only non-Williamson in the Branch, alongside Kevin and Debbie Williamson and their three daughters, Melody, Kadence, and Caroline. The band has won raves all across the US for their fine singing, quality material, and high energy stage show.

Anthony says that he retains a deep fondness for the Williamson family, and will never forget their kindness to him, and how they welcomed him into the clan.

“The past four and a half years have been great! It’s just time to go a different direction.

I love the Williamsons. They’ve been great to me, and they’ve been there for me when I needed them. I consider them family and I will always appreciate everything they’ve done for me, and for helping me get where I am today.”

Speaking jointly, the band returns the sentiment.

“It’s been a pleasure for us to watch Anthony grow both musically and personally. He’s been a part of four #1 singles, our phenomenal social media growth, and three of our Pinecastle projects, including the upcoming Very Merry Christmas. We know that Anthony will continue to excel, and we wish him well.”

Howell has something new in the works, but isn’t ready to spill just yet, as he says it’s not yet official. Like the Williamsons, we’re sure it will be first rate.

Salt River Canyon – new single from Anthony Howell

Anthony Howell, banjo picker with Williamson Branch, has released a new single where he demonstrates his skill on all the bluegrass instruments.

The song is Salt River Canyon, written by his employer and friend, Kevin Williamson, who also sings lead on the track with harmony from Shawn Lane. It’s a fictional story from the old west where the narrator tells of a prospector’s daughter who catches his fancy, and stirs up passions all around.

Howell plays all the instruments and sings a vocal harmony with Kevin and Shawn, showing him to be as strong on mandolin and guitar as we have known him to be with a banjo in his hands.

He says that Salt River Canyon comes from early in Williamson’s career, before Anthony was even born.

“I’ve always loved this song! It was written and first recorded by Kevin Williamson on his debut solo project in ’93, and he was kind enough to let me use it for my new project. I couldn’t be happier with the result!”

Have a listen…

Salt River Canyon is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track via GetItPlayed.

Custom leather straps from Anthony Howell

Most folks in bluegrass know Anthony Howell as the talented young banjo picker with Williamson Branch, where he is also called upon to play guitar and mandolin on occasion. But you may not know that he is also a gifted leather worker who offers custom straps for banjo, guitar, and mandolin.

Initially, Howell just made straps upon request as his fellow bluegrass performers noticed how nicely his own straps were tooled. You can see some of his work on instruments played by Eli Johnston of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Adam McIntosh of Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Zack Arnold of Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, and C.J. Lewandowski of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.

When COVID-19 put an end to touring last year, Anthony began to make these straps more seriously, looking to recapture the income lost when touring was shout down. Now, he finds a steady stream of customers who appreciate the quality of his work, and the ability to have a strap customized to their liking, which he creates at his Nashville home.

Though never schooled in leather working, he studied the work of a master.

“James Alan Shelton is a big influence of mine and I always loved the look of his guitar/banjo straps. I never got the chance to get a strap from him so I wanted to start making straps that resembled his. I don’t make them exactly the way he did, because that’s already been done, but the influence is there.”

Since these are one off, custom creations, Anthony is willing to make a strap that is individualized to the tastes of the customers, and cut to a comfortable length for each player. He tells us that his straps are made from 100% genuine cowhide leather, and are hand tooled, stained, and dyed.

Eli Johnston says that he is delighted with his.

“I love my beautiful customized guitar strap made by Anthony Howell! It is very comfortable as well as a quality product!!”

Some photos of straps Anthony has made can be seen below. More information can be found on his Facebook page, where you can also contact him about pricing.

We Three Kings from Anthony Howell

Anthony Howell, the talented young banjo player with Williamson Branch, has released a new single for the Noxubee Hills Music Group, his own arrangement of a Christmas classic. Actually, Anthony plays more than just banjo with the Williamsons, taking on guitar and mandolin as the need arises with the group.

And he showcases his multi-instrumentalist chops on this new track, playing all the strings and singing as well on a version of the 19th century American carol, We Three Kings. Howell also engineered and mixed the music at his studio in Zama, Mississippi.

Anthony gives a fairly conventional reading of the verses, but takes some liberties with the harmony on the chorus, offering a different sound to this familiar holiday favorite.

We Three Kings from Anthony Howell is available now wherever you stream or download music online. Radio programmers can find the track at AirPlay Direct.

Remember that by following this link, you can see all the bluegrass Christmas music we have highlighted.