We got a call earlier in the week from flatpick guitar demigod, Kenny Smith, just back from a whirlwind tour of the west coast. He taught at the Wintergrass Academy in late February, and then he and Amanda did some duo shows out west before heading back home to the Blue Ridge.

Kenny mentioned that they are heading into the studio again in late March, to record the third Kenny & Amanda Smith Band project for Rebel Records. This one will be an all-gospel recording, and Kenny says that they plan to make a conscious effort to choose and arrange the material for a more straightahead bluegrass sound. Their last two releases have been more contemporary in style, and Kenny said that they wanted to “throw down” on some solid bluegrass gospel this time out.

This new CD will be the first with band members Jason Davis on banjo, and Zak McLamb on bass, both of whom came on board last fall. Rebel is hoping for a late summer release of the new gospel project.

You can check the Kenny & Amanda Smith tour schedule online for a chance to catch them in person this season.