Takeoff is a fitting title for the debut release from Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac. There has been great interest in this assembly of bluegrass veterans since they first got together just over a year ago, and their first CD is due to take off March 27 on Patuxent Music.

As we commented last year, billing a band with Legends in the name might be seen as a tad presumptuous, but the moniker really fits this bunch. After 12 years performing with a number of DC-based bands (including Bill Harrell & The Virginians) before joining Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in 2005, guitarist and lead singer Beachley started putting the group together after leaving Doyle in 2008. He brought on mandolinist and tenor vocalist Norman Wright, who had worked with both The Bluegrass Cardinals and The Country Gentlemen, and a pair of founding members of Seldom Scene, Mike Auldridge on resonator guitar and Tom Gray on bass. Mark Delaney completes the group on banjo.

Darren says that the whole band is pleased with this first effort, and eager to get it out there.

“We are really happy with the way Takeoff turned out, and feel that this project will establish what our approach to music is all about.

I have to say that I am so happy with the work ethic all the guys displayed on this CD. We had Rachel Johnson and Ray Legere do some guest fiddlin’ on the CD, and Nate Leath added a little percussion. Tom Mindte and all the folks over at Patuxent work so hard for us… I know we were really being picky at times but Tom hung right in there with us and never let the music be anything but us.”

They will be celebrating the release with a concert at the The Old Lucketts Schoolhouse on March 27th just north of Leesburg, VA.

“I like old things with personality and history, and the old schoolhouse surley has that. I have been seeing music there and performing there since the 70′s. It’s gonna be a great time and I do encourage those who are coming to get there early, there are no advance sales and it will sellout.

It was rumored that Jamie Dailey would be making an appearance, and I have given strict instructions to The Virginia State Police that he is to be arrested and taken straight to the Kung Pow Chinese Buffet!”

A few audio samples are available on the Legends of the Potomac web site. Promo copies are going out to radio and print media next week, and we’ll have more to say when we’ve had the chance to give it a good listen.