Kenny Smith is a name known well to bluegrass fans interested in instrumental prowess. Mr. Smith has won numerous awards, including a brace of IBMA trophies for Guitar Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999. Smith currently fronts his own band with wife Amanda, The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. One of the ingredients of a good band is good pickers, and Kenny hasn’t failed to find them.

Aaron Williams began playing at a early age, and at 9 years old he decided mandolin was going to be his instrument of choice. He began playing with Kenny and Amanda in June of 2007 at the age of 15. Aaron has developed into quite a talented young mandolin player and recently release his first solo recording project. The CD, Inside, was co-produced by the Smiths along with Aaron.

The recording features Williams on mandolin, Kenny Smith on guitar, band mate Zac McLamb on bass, and former Smith band member Joey Cox on banjo. Twelve tracks are included, all instrumental in nature.

Two of the tracks are original numbers written by the young mando player from Blacksburg, VA. Both tunes can claim attractive melodies and a sense of tastefulness not always found in players this young. I especially enjoy Seven Mile Ford.

Several traditional tunes are included such as Buffalo Gals, Done Gone and Jesse James. Two Monroe tunes found their way onto the disc, White Horse Breakdown and The Lee Weddin’ Tune.

Only one Kenny Smith composition was included, but it is one of my favorites, Me and My Farmall. This tune was first released on Kenny’s solo CD, Studebaker and captured my ear then for its wonderful melodic richness. Aaron treats the tune with finesse, playing this beautiful melody with style, grace and tone.

As a first outing for a young musician, this CD proves a musical maturity beyond his years. With youthful players like Aaron writing their material and playing the standards, bluegrass is surely safe in the hands of the next generation.

Visit for Aaron’s MySpace page for audio samples. I’m sure you can contact Aaron through that page for purchasing information, or just catch him at a live show with The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band.

As the festival season roars into full throttle, a few band members are changing hands as bands reshuffle once again. Kenny & Amanda Smith have brought on one new full time team member, and one temporary member.

First let’s talk banjo. With Joey Cox leaving the band at the end of June, banjo legend Terry Baucom, the legendary The Duke of Drive, will be stepping up to the mic for the remainder of the summer. Recognized for his hard driving, traditionally-styled banjo playing, Terry brings a depth of experience to the stage. I spoke with Terry on the phone earlier today and he told me he was excited about the chance to pick with Kenny and Amanda for the rest of the year.

Kenny’s got the drive to his guitar playing that just makes it fun to pick the five over it! It’s gonna be a jamming good time and I can’t wait to get started.

Terry did say however, that he was already committed to a number of shows with The Mark Newton Band prior to Kenny’s call, and will be honoring that commitment. Kenny has yet to announce who will be filling those dates in Baucom’s absence. Due to his renewed dedication to teaching, recording his own solo CD, and a series of instructional DVDs, Terry will only be filling in with Kenny and Amanda for this season, and not on a permanent basis.

The Red White & Bluegrass Festival in Morganton, NC will be Terry’s first gig with the band, on July 3, 2007.

Now on to the mandolin… With the departure of Jason Robertson from the band, Kenny & Amanda called up a young local mandolin picker they thought was ready for the gig. Enter Aaron Williams. At the age of 15, Aaron is a force to be reckoned with on the mandolin, having recently won the 2007 Merlefest mandolin contest. Kenny produced a solo album for Aaron not that long ago and was so impressed at the time with Aaron’s musicianship, he Aaron that if they ever needed a mandolin player, they’d give him a call. He never expected it would be this soon.

Kenny and Amanda have been heroes of mine since I started playing, and I have long admired their music and musicianship. Amanda’s voice is just so clear and sincere, you can’t help but to believe every word. And Kenny has such a taste to what he does; everything he plays sounds perfect, like it was made for the song. They are the coolest people you could ever want to meet, and have been so good to me. I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to play in such a creative band with such great people. It’s a dream come true.

I’ve known Aaron, and picked with him on occasion, for several years here in the Southwest Virginia area. He’s a disciplined young picker whose future in bluegrass is bright. His parents home school him and have said that he will be allowed to keep playing even during the school year as long as he keeps up with his school work. Of course that means working extra hours, but I’m sure he’s up to the challenge.

Be sure to visit Kenny & Amanda Smith’s tour schedule to find a show near you where you can hear the band with the new additions.