Chris Stuart is back in the studio this winter working on a new project. Like previous CDs with his band, Backcountry, it will primarily feature original songs written within the group, but in a first for Chris this new album will be a digital only release.

Crooked Man is expected to be available in early June, with eight new Chris  Stuart originals, a couple by banjo player Janet Beazley, and one from their teen aged fiddler, Christian Ward. Eric Ulum is on mandolin along with Austin Ward on bass and Stuart on guitar.

Chris shared a few words about the material on Crooked Man…

“The songs include one about Mary Surratt (hanged in 1865 as part of the Lincoln assassination conspiracy) and one by Janet called Lantern Bay Inn about a murder in the San Juan Islands off Washington state. I have a song about a murder that happened in West Virginia in 1931, and a song about a dog called Ofer and Yesbuddy . . . .another happy CSB recording!”

Chris told us that they will produce manufactured CDs for press and radio promotion, but will primarily distribute the project through digital download sites. A new band website will be created with album artwork, lyrics, studio photos and credits plus download purchases offered in either MP3 or AIF formats. It will also be available through download sites like iTunes and CD Baby.