If you hear that there is something new from The Bishop, what comes to mind? Is it the brilliant Monty Python skit from 1970 where a C of E cleric, “The Bishop,” is portrayed as a swaggering, tough-talking mob boss by Terry Jones, with an entourage of sunglass-wearing vicars pushing people out of his way?
No? Then perhaps you are thinking of the Bishop of Bluegrass, retired Anglican Bishop Quigg Lawrence of Roanoke, VA-based Bent Mountain who sings traditional mountain music with an authentic tone?
It’s the latter, today at least. Bent Mountain has released a new single, Quigg’s version of Kenny McDuffie’s classic song, Tennessee Banjo Man, with an all-star cast of bluegrass super-pickers in tow.
Zack Arnold plays guitar, with Jason Davis on banjo, Johnathan Dillon on mandolin, Ron Stewart on fiddle, and Curt Love on bass. Junior Sisk and Don Rigsby add harmonies to Quigg’s lead vocal.
Lawrence says that he loves several things about this number.
“This is one of the most impressive banjo-forward non-instrumental tunes I have ever heard. I love the drive and the creativity of the arrangement, which incorporates elements of Clinch Mountain Backstep and Down the Road. Jason Davis demonstrates why he is one of the banjo greats of our day.
To my knowledge, only one other band (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) has recorded this song, and it has been mainly forgotten or remains unknown to a new generation of bluegrass lovers. Additionally, the theme of a ‘banjo player ladies’ man’ is a welcome and fun reprieve from typical banjo player jokes.”
Check out The Bishop’s soulful cut.
Tennessee Banjo Man from Bent Mountain is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via Get It Played.
