Jackson Hollow Archives - Bluegrass Today

Papa Noel from Jackson Hollow

For their 2024 Christmas single for Mountain Fever Records, British Columbia’s Jackson Hollow has resurrected Brenda Lee’s wonderful cajun-themed song, Papa Noel.

The original was the flip side of Brenda’s 1958 holiday smash, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, recorded when she was only 13 years old. It didn’t get much radio attention in the shadow of that major hit, but remains a clever number all the same.

Tianna Lefebvre of Jackson Hollow has a voice that is mildly reminiscent of Lee’s distinctive vocal sound, making her the perfect singer to bring this one back. The title, of course, is a familiar version of the French, Père Noël, for Father Christmas.

Mike Sanyshyn, the band’s mandolinist and fiddler, agreed that it was inevitable.

“Jackson Hollow’s bluegrass interpretation of this Brenda Lee classic was destined to happen. The unique Cajun lyrics combined with the band’s signature sound truly set this song apart. We hope Papa Noel brings joy to listeners this holiday season!”

With Tianna singing lead and Mike on fiddle, mandolin, percussion, and harmony vocals, the track also features Jackson Hollow regulars Michael Kilby on reso-guitar and Charlie Frie on bass, with guest banjo picker Justin Moses.

It’s definitely a fun version of this early country classic. Check it out.

Papa Noel is available now from popular download and streamings services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

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

Roses – Jackson Hollow

True essential bluegrass not only offers authenticity, but also an emotional connection, one that’s untarnished in terms of expressing sentiment and feeling without regard to any outside influences. The thoughts are freely expressed in ways that invite the listener to reflect and reminisce, and feel freely confident that any observations are there to be shared.

Jackson Hollow may be based in Vancouver, British Columbia, but their songs offer homage to the heartland and a decided reverence for the roots. The quartet — lead singer Tianna Lefebvre, fiddle, mandolin player, and harmony vocalist Mike Sanyshyn, bassist and harmony singer Charlie Frie, and guitarist and banjo player Eric Reed — may not write their own material, but they still manage to convey it from their own personal perspective.

Their new album, Roses, on Mountain Fever Records, makes that absolutely apparent. Their sprightly take on Melba Montgomery and Keith Swell’s co-composition, I’m All the Way Gone, gives every impression that their inspiration was carefully considered. On the other hand, songs such as Shallow Rivers, For the Life of Me, and the title track, also find the band taking a thoughtful approach, one that’s so effortlessly affecting, it’s hard to believe they don’t originate from he band’s own pen.

That said, the group occasionally gets some outside help — in this case, from John Reischman on mandolin, Michael Kilby on resophonic guitar, and Jeff Scoggins who covers the basics on banjo. And yet, Jackson Hollow is clearly capable all on their own. The earnest and engaging strains of A Heartache in the Works, and the rapid-fire revelry of the Wendy Waldman and Gary Nicholson co-write, Can’t Stop Now, affirm that fact and leave no doubts. Another Melba Montgomery composition, A Heartache in the Works, resonates with all the forlorn feelings its title suggests, just as the rousing and riveting Travelin’ Heart and Put Yourself In My Place — the latter a Carl Jackson/Pam Willis co-write — convey their own earnest intents.

Ultimately then, Jackson Hollow can be credited with a near-perfect performance all the way through, as well as an astute example of the best bluegrass can be. This particular bouquet is decided deserved.

Roses drops for Jackson Hollow

Today is the release date for Jackson Hollow’s debut album for Mountain Fever Records, Roses, and to celebrate, they are also releasing a single for the title track.

The band is fronted by the husband and wife team of Mike Sanyshyn, who plays fiddle and mandolin, and sings harmony vocals, and Tianna Lefebvre, who provides the powerful lead vocals. Together they have developed a bluegrass sound with elements of country music in the vocals and overall production.

The theme of the full album is love and heartache, typified by Roses, a fiddle-fueled waltz number about of a cheating partner. It had been recorded by Reba McEntire in 1998 on her So Good Together album, written by Leslie Ann Winn and Melba Montgomery.

Also appearing on the track are band members Charlie Frie on bass and Eric Reed on guitar/banjo, along with Michael Kilby on reso-guitar.

Have a listen…

The Roses album from Jackson Hollow is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the tracks via AirPlay Direct.

Put Yourself In My Place from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records is closing out the month with a new single from Canadian grassers Jackson Hollow, their remake of the 1991 Pam Tillis number, Put Yourself in My Place, written by Carl Jackson and Pam Tillis.

Back in ’91 Tillis was a real presence on country music radio. Several songs from the Put Yourself in My Place album charted as singles, including the standout hit, Don’t Tell Me What To Do. Tianna Lefebvre with Jackson Hollow has the perfect voice to redo this title track from Pam’s record, and the band does it up with all the country-inflected bluegrass that has become their signature sound.

Mike Sanshyn, fiddler, mandolinist, and vocalist in the group – and Tianna’s partner in the band – says that this song finds a double meaning in the title phrase, calling on a prospective lover to, in the words of the immortal Mae West, “Come up and see me sometime.”

“Put Yourself in My Place’ is an uplifting heartbreak song. Aside from the literal verses’ figurative meaning in the title, the song seems to call us to take a broader perspective on our problems. We don’t have to face everything alone, showing that the ones we confide in can be a perfect love waiting to happen.”

Tianna and Mike are supported by Charlie Frie on bass and harmony vocal, Eric Reed on guitar, and Jeff Scroggins on banjo.

Have a listen…

Put Yourself in My Place from Jackson Hollow is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

Track Premiere: Look Who’s Talking Now from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records has a new single next week for Jackson Hollow, a song written by Jerry Salley, Leslie Satcher, and Melba Montgomery called Look Who’s Talking Now. It releases on March 15, but our readers are getting an advance listen here today.

This track is a classic leaving song, with the singer noting that she couldn’t get much of anything out of her partner until he noticed that her bags were packed. Jackson Hollow performs it as a county waltz, sung by co-founder Tianna Lefebvre.

She says that the song carries a truth that is always worth considering.

“I was instantly drawn to the beautiful, flowing, traditional melody of Look Who’s Talking Now. The message this song portrays is one that I believe a lot of the listeners can relate to. Sometimes… the ‘special things’ that are really important, get pushed aside or are taken for granted. Sometimes… the significance of those three little words is sadly underestimated.”

Lefebvre is supported here by her husband and bandmate, Mike Sanyshyn, on fiddle and mandolin, Charlie Frie on bass, Eric Reed on guitar, Jeff Scroggins on banjo, and Michael Kilby on reso-guitar. Mike and Charlie provide harmony vocals.

Have a listen…

Jackson Hollow is just now getting wide exposure in the US, but its members have a long history on the county and bluegrass scene in their native British Columbia, with a string of awards and honors to brag about.

Look Who’s Talking Now will be available March 15 on Mountain Fever Records from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track now via AirPlay Direct.

Shallow Rivers video from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records has released a music video for their current single with Canadian grassers, Jackson Hollow.

The song is called Shallow Rivers, written by Shari Baker, Christy Baker, and Austin Cunningham. Like much of Jackson Hollow’s material, it bears a strong country influence, with a strong lead vocal from Tianna Lefebvre. Harmonies provided by her husband, Mike Sanyshyn, who also plays fiddle and mandolin, and bassist Charlie Frie.

The group is completed by Eric Reed on guitar, with guest appearances on this track from Jeff Scroggins on banjo and Michael Kilby on reso-guitar.

Lefebvre and Sanyshyn are highly decorated members of the British Columbia music scene. Tianna has won the Female Vocalist os the year award from the BC Country Music Association, and Mike has been named Fiddle Player of the Year by both the Canadian Country Music Association and the BC Country Music Association. He is also a four-time Provincial Fiddle Champion. On top of that, Jackson Hollow has won the BC Country Music Association Gaylord Wood Traditional/Roots Country Award three times. Not too shabby!

Tianna and Mike shared with us what Shallow Rivers means to them.

“I’ve been drinkin’ from shallow rivers…. but my heart needs deeper water… These beautiful lyrics deliver a powerful and heartfelt message defining what it’s like to yearn for the perfect soulmate. With the realization, sometimes it takes a little longer than expected to discover ‘true passion’ while learning to accept that you may have to look at little deeper to find your own ‘sweet forever.'”

Check out the video which captures Jackson Hollow in performance.

Shallow Rivers is available from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

A Song For Christmas from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records has released a Christmas single for Vancouver’s Jackson Hollow, a new holiday song written by Lynda McKillip, Tom McKillip, and Gord Maxwell called A Song For Christmas.

The song is played in the group’s trademark style, a contemporary bluegrass sound heavily influenced by country music. Tianna Lefebvr sings the lead supported by Mike Sanyshyn on fiddle and mandolin, Charlie Frie on bass, and Eric Reed on guitar, banjo, and reso-guitar. Harmony vocals are provided by Mike and Charlie.

Tianna tells us that this one was composed as the theme for a holiday film of the same name in 2017.

“Lynda and Tom wrote A Song for Christmas in only two days as a pitch for an upcoming Hallmark movie. It was composed using familiar Christmas song titles, the phrases then woven into a love story to fit the film. The song uses these phrases to create an uncommon image of a Christmas tune that you recognize, but have never heard before.”

Have a listen…

A Song For Christmas by Jackson Hollow is available now from popular download and streaming sites online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

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

Track Premiere: Shallow Rivers from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records has a new single coming tomorrow from Jackson Hollow, an experienced Canadian bluegrass band based in Vancouver. They are offering our readers a sneak preview this afternoon here at Bluegrass Today.

Jackson Hollow is based around the talents of Tianna Lefebvre and Mike Sanyshyn, both celebrated artists in British Columbia country and bluegrass circles. Together, this husband and wife team deliver a clean and crisp sound that blends acoustic country songs with bluegrass instrumentation.

Mike plays mandolin and fiddle, and sings duets with Tianna, who is the group’s primary lead singer. They are supported by Charlie Frie on bass and Eric Reed on banjo and guitar.

For this second single from their upcoming Mountain Fever debut project, they have chosen a lovely ballad called Shallow Rivers, written by Shari Baker, Christy Baker, and Austin Cunningham.

Tianna says that the words to this song have really touched her…

“I’ve been drinkin’ from shallow rivers…. but my heart needs deeper water…

These beautiful lyrics deliver a powerful and heartfelt message defining what it’s like to yearn for the perfect soulmate.

With the realization, sometimes it takes a little longer than expected to discover ‘true passion,’ while learning to accept that you may have to look at little deeper to find your own ‘sweet forever.'”

Have a listen…

Look for Shallow Rivers from Jackson Hollow at streaming and download sites Tuesday, November 2. Radio programmers can find the track now at AirPlay Direct.

Travelin’ Heart from Jackson Hollow

Mountain Fever Records has released a debut single from their most recent signees, Jackson Hollow, led by the husband-and-wife team of Mike Sanyshyn and Tianna Lefebvre in British Columbia.

Their first entry is Travelin’ Heart, written by Patricia Conroy and Kajsa Vala, a cheerful, uptempo number about finding peace seeing new sights along the road – a perfect sentiment for a touring artist.

It is beautifully rendered by Tianna, with an acoustic country/bluegrass feel, and she says that it conveys a feeling many of us share coming out of a year of restricted movement and activity.

“Travelin’ Heart speaks to the hope of keeping the dream alive. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of freedom and joy on the open road, something that we’ve all been longing for.”

Sanyshyn provides fiddle, mandolin, and harmony vocals, with additional support from regular Jackson Hollow members Charlie Frie on bass and harmony vocals, and Eric Reed on guitar, with banjo from special guest Jeff Scroggins.

Have a listen…

Travelin’ Heart from Jackson Hollow is available wherever you stream or download music online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

Jackson Hollow to Mountain Fever Records

Mountain Fever Records has announced the signing of popular British Columbia grassers, Jackson Hollow, to the label.

The strength of this quartet is in their vocals, with lead singer Tianna Lefebvre out front. She is a multiple award winner from the British Columbia Country Music Association, and the band has over their short tenure been named three time winners of the BCCMA Gaylord Wood Traditional Country Award.

Also prominent in Jackson Hollow is her husband, Mike Sanyshyn, who contributes fiddle, mandolin, and vocals. Mike has multiple fiddle championships under his belt, including four Provincial Fiddle titles, and Fiddle Player of the Year awards from both the BCCMA and the Canadian Country Music Association. He also regularly places in the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championships.

They are supported by Charlie Frie on bass and Eric Reed on banjo and guitar.

You can get a taste of their acoustic country-flavored sound in this socially-distanced video they created of a Roger Miller classic during the shutdown last year.

Mountain Fever says that we should expect new music soon from Jackson Hollow.