The folks at Flatpicking Guitar Magazine have posted an online clip from the most recent DVD release, Guitarmageddon. It features Josh Williams, Andy Falco and Chris Eldridge tearing up Cherokee Shuffle on stage at the Station Inn in Nashville.

As you might expect, the boys pick it solid throughout, and surely do so throughout this one hour production.

Flatpicking Guitar Magazine has released their latest concert DVD, following the familiar theme of grouping popular flatpickers they have set with previous releases.

Guitarmageddon, co-produced with SimpleFolk Productions, showcases three young flatpicking firebrands who have been making their presence felt in bluegrass this past few years. Chris Eldridge, Andy Falco and Josh Williams are featured in this one hour DVD performing live at Nashville’s storied Station Inn in a variety of settings.

The three each offer solo arrangements, are paired as duos, pick as a trio, and are joined by Cody Kilby on banjo and Mike Bub on bass for some rockin’ bluegrass numbers. Each of the three guitarists are interviewed, as is J.T. Gray, current owner of the Station Inn.

A total of 15 songs are included, among them favorites like Cherokee Shuffle, East Tennessee Blues, Jesse James, Nine Pound Hammer, and Salt Creek.

There doesn’t seem to be a video sample up online yet, but they may be posted soon on Flatpicking Guitar’s YouTube channel.

You can find more details in the Flatpicking Guitar online store.

This evening, November 23, will find The Infamous Stringdusters on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, making their debut performance on the venerable radio broadcast.

They will be featured in the 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. segment (EST), which airs in the Nashville market on WSM AM 650, and simulcast via online streaming at wsmonline.com.

For many fans of the band, this could be your first chance to sample the ‘Dusters with new guitarist, Andy Falco, who stepped in when founding member Chris Eldridge left to work with Chris Thile.

Also on tonight’s Opry broadcast is Ricky Skaggs, appearing in the 9:30 - 10:00 p.m. slot.

Our friend Tony Williams, promoter of the Kentucky Lake Bluegrass Festival, recently contacted us with news concerning a benefit concert being organized in his area of Kentucky.

The concert is to benefit Mr. Scottie Henson, one of the charter members of the Jackson Purchase Friends of Bluegrass, the organization behind many bluegrass events in Western Kentucky. Henson is known to the bluegrass community as an instructor, as well as a member of The Kentucky Opry in Draffenville, KY. Recently Henson underwent double aortic aneursm surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

The surgery went well, but shortly after the operation Scottie started being plagued by all kinds of setbacks, including pneumonia and kidney failure, but through the miracles of medical science and the prayers of hundreds of his friends, he has survived, and has now been moved to Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville to begin a long and difficult rehabilitation. His wife and daughter have been with him in Nashville since August 28, 2007 sleeping on the sofas in Vanderbilt Surgical Intensive Care waiting room, and in Motels, and eating every meal out the entire time.

Now that the worst is past and Henson seems to be recovering, Josh Williams, who had Scottie as his first musical instructor, along with the Campbell Family, the proprietors of The Kentucky Opry, JPFOB, and members of Henson’s home church, the Hamlet Baptist Church, have planned this benefit to help defray the medical costs not covered by Henson’s insurance.

Joining Josh Williams will be the other two members of the soon to be FGM DVD release Guitarmageddon, Andy Falco and Chris Eldridge.

The show is scheduled to take place at The Kentucky Opry on December 7, 2007 from 7 PM to Midnight. There is no set price for admission, they ask that attendies simply make a donation to the fund.

The Kentucky Opry is located 5 miles North of Benton, Kentucky on U.S. Highway 641 North. It is also six miles south of Kentucky Dam Village State Park. It is less than one mile from the Purchase Parkway South via Exit 47, and only 5 1/2 miles off Interstate 24 at Kentucky Exit 25A.

Andy Falco has been getting a lot of attention this past couple of months. As the newest member of The Infamous Stringdusters, stepping in when Chris Eldridge left to join up with Chris Thile, he was scrutinized - and not found wanting - by their loyal fan base.

What an opportune time for his solo CD project to be released! Sentenced To Life With The Blues has been released by Flatpicking Guitar Records, with 13 tracks that demonstrate Falco’s guitar prowess on a fairly wide range of flatpicking material. Guest performers include Josh Williams, Cody Kilby, Adam Steffey, Luke Bulla, Jason Carter, Andy Hall, Noam Pikelney, Jim Van Cleve, Andy Leftwich, Alecia Nugent, Rob Ickes and more.

You can hear severalaudio samples online at Andy’s MySpace page.

The Infamous Stringdusters, fresh off their whirlwind 6 week US tour, will have a new face when they hit the stage on September 1 at the Four Corners Folk Festival in Pagosa Springs, CO. That’s the first show date for their newest member, Andy Falco, who will join the band when original guitarist Chris Eldridge departs to become a full time member of Chris Thile’s Tensions Mountain Boys.

Eldridge, who was given the nickname “Critter” by Tony Rice while still a young boy, is the son of Seldom Scene banjo picker Ben Eldridge. He has made quite a name for himself of late, both with The Infamous Stringdusters, and for his playing with Chris Thile on the How To Grow A Woman From The Ground CD and tour.

Andy Hall, dobro player and vocalist with the Stringdusters, said that is was sad news when they first learned that he would be leaving, since the nucleus of the band had held together for so many years before they broke through, and they were all very close friends. He acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the change.

“Critter wanted to challenge himself musically in a new way, and felt like Chris’ band was the way for him to go. He is a great musician - and a great friend - and while we’re sorry to see him go, we all feel good about him being where he wants to be.”

But while recognizing that change always brings its challenges, Hall and the rest of the band are delighted that they could pick up Andy Falco as their new guitarist.

“We are all really psyched to have Falco with the band. He is one of the meanest guitar players out there, and he is also a long time friend. Andy has an amazing ear, and has just the sort of diverse musical background we need - rock, jazz and bluegrass - along with a funky, cool rhythmic sense.

We’ve been able to jam a few times with Falco, and the sound was awesome. I can’t wait to get to rehearsing with him seriously.”

Andy is likewise excited to pick with the Stringdusters.

“I am looking forward to joining the Dusters… They are a group that has incredible musicianship and creativity, and they’re also a great bunch of guys. They have been good friends of mine for quite a while, and I’ve always been a big fan of the band. It’s truly an honor to have been asked to join, and I can’t wait to start.” (more…)

Saturday night I took the wife and attended the Alecia Nugent concert in nearby New Castle, Virginia. It should be no surprise that Alecia put on a great show, she’s won awards recently from both IBMA and SPBGMA for her singing. She’s also a fine entertainer. And what a band! With Andy Falco on guitar, Ashby Frank on mandolin, Thomas Wywrot on banjo, and Jennifer Strickland on bass added to Alecia’s vocals, you’ve got a recipe for some great bluegrass music.

The first set opened with the Osborne Brothers standby Listening To The Rain, and a fair number of other standards were sprinkled throughout both sets making for a pleasant mixture of traditional and original tunes. Breaking from accepted practice, Alecia honored a request and ended the first set with a slow sad song from her self titled first CD. The title of the song is Paper and Pen. If you haven’t heard it, you can find audio samples on Rounder’s website. Be warned, it’s a sad one.

Let me give you my impressions about the band Alecia has touring with her now.

I’ve known Andy Falco for several years and have been a fan of his guitar playing since I first heard him set pick to string. Saturday night Andy got an enthusiastic response from the crowd on nearly every guitar solo. There is just something about his bluesy, downstroke driven, aggressive style that has something of Monroe’s mandolin style in it.

Ashby Frank has been a good mandolin player for a long time and he’s only 23, but Saturday night I was really struck by the economy of movement in his right had. I was sitting in the front row and could really see the ease with which he played. It’s very enjoyable to watch a musician with that kind of control over their instrument. I rest easy in the knowledge that bluegrass music will continue to grow, expand, and excel into the future in the capable hands of young pickers like this.

Thomas Wywrot I had known as a guitar player, but I was quite impressed with his ability on the banjo. He was driving and aggressive without being overbearing. He worked the mic like a pro making plenty of room for the guitar and mandolin in the mix. During the first set he played an original instrumental of his own composition that I didn’t catch the name of, but it was an enjoyable tune that got the crowd stirred up nicely.

Jennifer Strickland I didn’t know before Saturday night. I was pleasantly surprised to find she is Missouri girl. Having grown up outside KC myself, I always get a kick out of meeting another Missourian on the bluegrass circuit. She did a great job on the bass and harmony vocals all evening.

And that’s just the band. Alecia herself lived up to her title as the Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, as recently awarded by SPBGMA. If you’re a fan of good bluegrass singing, you need to make a point to go hear Alecia.

Overall this was a great show. The material was good, the performance was great, the MC work (shared by the entire band) was funny and entertaining, and the whole experience was enjoyable. If Alecia and band happen to be in your area (tour schedule is on her website), I encourage to take the opportunity to go hear some fine bluegrass music from this award winning singer and her band.

This morning I’m on my way to Nashville for the concert DVD shoot I told you about a while back. This show features Josh Williams, Chris Eldridge, and Andy Falco. A few special guests are going to help the guys out as well, including Cody Kilby, and Mike Bub.

If you are in Nashville today be sure to stop by the Station Inn at 7pm or 9pm to catch one of the sets. I you can’t make to the show, you’ll be able to buy the DVD from Flatpicking Guitar Magazine here in a month or two.

Next month I’m heading to Nashville for a day to record a live concert DVD with three fantastic young guitar players. They play in some of today’s top bluegrass bands. Here they are.

• Chris Eldridge - The Infamous Stringdusters / Chris Thile and How To Grow A Band
• Andy Falco - Alecia Nugent
• Josh Williams - Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

The show will be held at the world famous Station Inn (It’s not on their calendar yet, but it was just confirmed.) in Nashville, TN on February 19, 2007. That’s a Monday night, so if you’re in Nashville that week, be sure to come out. Who knows, you might end up on video!

We’ll be recording two shows that evening, one at 7PM and the other at 9PM. Tickets are $10 per show or $15 for both. I don’t believe there is any advance ticketing, it’s just pay at the door and first come, first serve.

The concert is being produced by Dan Miller at Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, and is the fourth in a series of concert DVD productions he and I have done together. The first three are available from Flatpicking Mercantile and feature the “A list” of bluegrass flatpicking guitarists. Here’s a clip from the last one in the series, Live In Kansas City, featuring Cody Kilby, Brad Davis, and Tim May.