Zak McLamb Archives - Bluegrass Today

Zak McLamb and Ella Thomas to Caroline Owens & New Company

Caroline Owens has a new band name and two new members. Now known as Caroline Owens & New Company, the Skyline Records recording artist welcomes bassist Zak McLamb (who also performs with Alan Bibey & Grasstowne) and fiddler/vocalist, Ella Thomas of ETSU. They join existing members Spencer Strickland on mandolin from Lambsburg, VA and Chase Bennett on banjo from Canton, NC.

Owens shared…

“I’ve admired Zak’s bass work for years, and to now pick alongside him in this band… what a dream! His talent comes secondary to what a truly genuine person he is. I look forward to many more years of playing music with him.

And Ella – my goodness! What a talent! I spent a long time going through potential folks that I thought would work for this band, but when I heard her fiddling and harmony singing, I just knew she was the one. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her over these last few months. What a truly sweet, genuine person she is!”

Of his new gig, McLamb said…

“I’m blessed and so thankful to get to play music with Caroline, Spencer, Chase, and Ella (in New Company) as well as with Alan, Jeff, Justin, and Kati in Grasstowne.

I’ve been filling in with Caroline for close to a year, and I’ve really enjoyed that. She is so talented and starting to get recognition which is awesome! It is a really fun group. I’ve known Spencer from back when we both played with Kenny & Amanda Smith. It’s a lot of fun to get to play music with him again.

Grasstowne is not as busy as we used to be with Alan playing with Balsam Range. We are all excited that he got the opportunity to do that. It’s working out well for me to supplement that schedule with playing Caroline’s schedule. I feel very blessed to get to be the person who gets to perform with both groups. I’m looking forward to some really cool shows.”

Thomas says that she’s also pumped to hook up with Owens.

“I’m so excited to be joining Caroline Owens & New Company, adding some fiddle and backup vocals to a great young band that represents the best talent on the bluegrass stage today. My first encounter with Caroline’s unique sound was several years ago at Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor in my hometown of West Columbia, South Carolina. I was especially impressed with her classic bluegrass style, and when our paths continued to cross, it seemed like destiny brought us together!

I have every confidence in Caroline as our amazing band leader, and this privilege to play alongside her and gifted band mates Spencer Strickland, Chase Bennett, and Zak McLamb is a wonderful opportunity! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us on this incredible musical journey!”

“We are so excited to have Zak and Ella along for the ride!,” Owens concluded. “I know I speak for my other band mates, Chase and Spencer, when I say…’Welcome to the band, Zak and Ella!'”

You can visit Caroline Owens online to see her touring schedule and catch when/where her new ensemble will be performing.

New faces in Constant Change

I suppose fans of a band called Constant Change can’t be surprised by new members. And this North Carolina outfit, who’s been performing together since 2009, has a couple of new faces in the lineup.

To the nucleus of founding member Clifton Preddy on fiddle, and brothers Brian and Daniel Aldridge on banjo and mandolin, have more recently been added Greg Luck on guitar and Zak McLamb on bass. The guys have been recording this summer, with plans for a new CD, their fourth, before the year is out.

They sent along this snippet of one of the tunes, Yellow Rock, as a preview.

Constant Change is represented by Deep River Management, and they will be appearing at a showcase hosted by Deep River during IBMA week in Raleigh next month. It is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, September 28 at the Lincoln Theater, just a block or so from the main convention site. Joining them will be other Deep River acts Bridgetown, Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion and The Wrecked Fretts.

Fiddler Tim Smith and Friends

Bluegrass is one of the few genres of music in which instrumental skill is showcased just as much or more than vocal skill. As such, many of the best known tunes in bluegrass are instrumentals, made for showing off a picker’s skill. Tim Smith, a North Carolina-based fiddler, has recently released an album that does just that, showcasing his fiddling as well as the playing of some of his talented friends. A mixture of originals and old favorites, Fiddler Tim Smith and Friends is sure to be enjoyed by fans of traditionally-based fiddle music.

Smith, a former Bluegrass Cardinal who also spent time playing with Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, The Country Gentleman, and numerous other groups, contributes eight originals to this project. Double Play is a Monroe-esque fiddle tune, with a nice chord progression similar to Wheel Hoss. Twin Oaks is an upbeat, toe-tapping traditional-sounding piece, while Oklahoma Road is a light and easygoing midtempo number. The album’s first single, Broadway Limited, was co-written by Smith along with David Guthrie. This tune is a classic train song, and features a nice interplay between the fiddle and dobro.

There’s a nice, slightly bluesy version of the Hank Williams Gospel song I Saw the Light (one of only a few tunes with vocals on the album) that fans of traditional bluegrass are sure to enjoy. The other religious piece here, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, is one of the album’s best cuts, with a slow, jazzy feel. Bill Monroe’s Ashland Breakdown is top-notch, with fine mandolin work from Wayne Benson. Whiskey Before Breakfast is done in a bit more of an old-time style, complete with clawhammer banjo.

The musicians who Smith has chosen to accompany him are first-rate, with Benson’s mandolin stylings particularly standing out. Zachary McLamb is solid on the bass, while Jeff Huffman’s guitar playing is to be commended, as well. These three, along with Eric Ellis on banjo, perform on the majority of the album’s tracks, but Smith is also joined by Wyatt Rice (guitar), David Holt (clawhammer banjo and slide guitar), Will McIntyre (bass), Clyde Mattocks (dobro), and Andrew Smith (guitar). Smith himself is an excellent fiddler, with definite influences from Kenny Baker and other Bill Monroe-style music. He performs complex tunes with ease and offers up originals that are just as enjoyable as the classic tunes he covers.

For more information on Tim Smith, visit his website at www.fiddlertimsmith.com. His new album can be purchased from a variety of online music retailers, including CDBaby.

New look for Kenny & Amanda

We heard today from Zak McLamb, bass player with Kenny & Amanda Smith this past 7 years, with news that he has left the band.

He tells us that mandolinist Spencer Strickland and banjo man Trent Calicutt are also moving on.

On behalf of the three of them, Zak shared this statement…

“We would like to thank the Smiths for the opportunities and experience gained while touring with them and wish them the best. We’re also proud and honored to be included on a track of Kenny’s new guitar album Return.

We would like to thank all the wonderful bluegrass friends we had the pleasure to meet while on the road as members of the band. We also want to send out a special thank you to the many sponsors that supported us while on the road including D’Addario Strings, Blue Chip Picks, Cedar Creek Cases, Elliot Capos, Yates Banjos, and Spencer’s own business, Strickland String Instruments.

The three of us have Facebook accounts, and plan to remain active in the bluegrass community. We look forward to seeing our friends and colleagues in the future.

Zak McLamb, Trent Callicutt, and Spencer Strickland”

I caught up with Kenny briefly this morning as he and Amanda were preparing to head out for a string of duet shows in Florida the rest of this month. As soon as I can speak with them, I’ll post with some details about what Smith calls a fresh new sound, and their plans to start in soon on a new Kenny & Amanda Smith CD.

Welcome Luke McLamb

Zak McLamb, bass player with Kenny & Amanda Smith, and his wife Karen are celebrating the birth of their first child.

Luke McLamb was born last night (7/27) at 8:50 p.m. (EDT). Zak reports that he weighed in at 7 lbs., 10 oz. and “stands” 21 1/2” tall.

Needless to say, Zak is awfully excited about the whole thing.

Congratulations to all the McLambs!