
Buddy Merriam & Back Roads are set to release their 8th CD on October 1.
Merriam, noted as an original purveyor of the Bill Monroe mandolin style, has written dozens of tunes for his instrument, and kept his group together for the past 34 years. They have been staples in the New England bluegrass scene all that time, though there have been personnel changes over the years.
What hasn’t changed is Buddy’s strong mandolin work and his big smile whenever they appear. Nor the powerful traditional bluegrass sound they have embodied since 1980.
The new record, called The Farm, features some new instrumentals from Buddy, and original songs from guitarist/vocalist Matt Riley. Completing the band is Brian Chabza on fiddle, Ward Cloughen on bass, and Bob Sehy on banjo.
Look for it in October from Lily Pad Records.