Christoffer Olsson, guitarist and lead singer with G2, is celebrating the birth of his son, Benjamin, born earlier this month.

G2 banjo picker Jens Koch shared this photo of Christoffer and Benjamin, along with some band news from their home in Sweden. He says that the guys are about to start recording a new album.

“The cold winter slows things down a bit here, but we’re busy working on new material and it looks like all the songs except one will be originals, about 70% written within the band. This time we have some co-writes with people outside of the band and some originals from other people. I think this new CD will have a tougher and a bit more aggressive attitude, and the songs are a bit more varied.”

Jens says that will be tracking at Cosmos Studios in Stockholm, and hoping to have Brent Truitt help with the final mixing.

He says that the new project should be released in June ‘09.

Congratulations to Christoffer and Belinda from The Bluegrass Blog!

Swedish bluegrass heartthrobs, G2, are making plans to spend substantial parts of the next few years touring in the US.

In 2009, they will be here July through September performing at festivals and music events, based near Nashville. They want to take advantage of the momentum built from a shorter US tour this year, and the buzz they created at IBMA in October. They were featured at multiple late night IBMA showcases, presented at the awards show, and played a set at Fan Fest.

G2 hopes to make a permanent move to this country sometime in 2010.

Banjo player Jens Koch shared a few words about G2’s plans for the future.

“When we came to Nashville for IBMA this year, we all pictured ourselves living in the US next year…and it felt good. Since being there a few times with G2, we feel urged to do it. We need to move to the US to get to do what we all love to do, so we’ll start with a few months next year and see how it works out.

Working with Jim Roe of Roe Entertainment also feels like a good thing and we’re hoping for lots of work in the US the forthcoming year. In the same time as looking for places to live (maybe in the Nashville area) we are in the beginning of recording our second album, which will be released next year.

Right now we’re discussing details with a producer who we might work with. 2009 is going to be an interesting year for us – a step which for us is huge, leaving our home country. Lucky us – we have found such good friends over in the US!”

Find out more about G2 on their web site, or at Roe Entertainment.

Tuesday night at IBMA I found myself wandering around on the lower two levels of the convention center during the After Hours Showcases. I heard a bunch of great music, and got to visit with a number of friends I hadn’t seen since this time last year.

I caught a bit of the Songwriter Showcase hosted by Ron Block and Sierra Hull during the afternoon. The duo performed one of Sierra’s own compositions for the assemblage, before introducing Cia Cherryholmes to oversee hosting duties. Due to a pressing business appointment I was unable to stay longer to check out the young songwriters who were taking the stage as John and I left. So many great songs, so little time…

I made it to only one “official” showcase Tuesday evening, and that was to hear Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice. Junior has been one of my favorite singers for years. I love the material he writes, and the soul that comes through in his vocals. I just had to hear him at least once while I was here. This was my first time hearing the new band live. They sounded great with Junior leading the way.

Later than evening as I meandered the halls, I attempted to find a way into the room for a bit of a listen to Dailey & Vincent. It seems I wasn’t the first to have that idea! The crowd was spilling over about 10 feet into the hall. I managed to make it almost to door frame before reaching such a density of listeners that I could proceed no further and just snapped off a photo over the top of the crowd.

I later listened as G2 visited with fans in the hall before proceeding to present their brand of Swedish influenced bluegrass. It was a great set, featuring original material that sounds as if it originated in the Appalachian Mountains rather than Northern Europe. Absolutely amazing that a group of young guys that far from the home of the music have grown into a bluegrass band deserving of being heard at any festival here in the heart of bluegrass country.

I was excited for an opportunity to hear my friend Frank Solivan perform with his band Dirty Kitchen. I’ve been hearing about this band for some time. I’ve heard most of the principles at various times in the past, but never as a unit. Frank recently announced his departure from the Navy Band to pursue his own musical endeavors, judging by what I heard Tuesday night, his future is bright.

I also managed to put an ear to the sets of Gold Heart, Liberty Pike, and David Peterson before retiring for the night. IBMA, there’s nowhere else like it!

WAMU’s Bluegrass Country will again be broadcasting live from IBMA this afternoon, bringing a taste of the 2008 World Of Bluegrass event to listeners worldwide who are unable to attend.

Wednesday’s (10/1) lineup include will include performances from Lonesome River Band and Steep Canyon Rangers, plus a discussion about IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass program. Katy Daley told us that today’s broadcast will start with a live duet performance of Jerusalem Ridge by Michael Cleveland and Jesse Brock.

Appearing on (Wednesday 10/1) are:

• Michael Cleveland and Jesse Brock
• Archie Warnock on Leadership Bluegrass
• G-2 Bluegrass Band
• Audie Blaylock
• Lonesome River Band
• Steep Canyon Rangers

You can listen to Bluegrass Country via audio streaming online, and via HD Radio (88.5-2) in the Washington DC market. They will be coming to you online from their suite in the Renaissance Hotel 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EDT).