Uncle Phil starting new solo project

Phil Leadbetter - original art by Jeff BaileyWhen we caught up with reso-guitar man Phil Leadbetter in Raleigh, he mentioned that he was getting ready to start work on a new album, and that he would have more details to share this week.

The word is that Phil will recording soon for his first record since 2005’s Slide Effects, which was chosen Instrumental Album of the Year by the IBMA that September.

Phil shared a few words about his relationship with Pinecastle, who will be releasing this CD next year, which musicians will be assisting him in the studio, and the support he received from fans, family and friends during his year and a half treatment for cancer in the past two years.

“I have a long relationship with Pinecastle. I did 3 albums there with Wildfire, and 2 there with Grasstowne. Both were bands that I helped to co-found. I was one of the first artists to be added to the roster when the label was purchased a few years back by Dr. Lonnie Lassiter. I am very excited to be going back into the studio again after spending 2011 and 2012 in treatment for a very aggressive form of cancer that nearly took my life. I had a stem cell transplant on September 10, 2012 and have been completely healed. I have played this entire year (2013) as a full-time member of The Dale Ann Bradley Band.

I will be starting my project on October 9th in Hendersonville, TN. I will be cutting tracks at several different locations, and hope to have it completed in the early spring of 2014. Some of the players that are tentatively scheduled to be on the project will be John Cowan, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Sam Bush, Ken Mellons, Shawn Camp, Steve Wariner, Con Hunley, Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Paul Brewster, Sierra Hull, Mike Bub, Charlie Cushman, Ronnie McCoury, Tim Stafford, Jason Burleson, Kenny Smith, Steve Thomas and Cory Walker. Others to be announced. I’m hoping to have a couple of singles to radio in the next couple of months.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me and my family through my illness and my career. Thanks for never giving up on me, and allowing me back with open arms. I can’t begin to tell you just how excited I am to get this opportunity to record with some of my musical heroes. I am a blessed man.”

We certainly look forward to hearing what Leadbetter puts together in the studio, and will report details as we learn them.

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John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.