Her solo project, Doing All I Can, was released in September showcasing Gena as a lead vocalist, banjo player and songwriter. It’s a terrific album with a first rate cast of pickers and singers on a mix of contemporary and traditional bluegrass.

The first track sets the stage, with a clever reworking of Lennon and McCartney’s Help! Gena shared a few words about how this one came to be.

“Well, I spent almost 4 months in Japan back in 1993 and while I was there I picked up a Dolly Parton record that I had not seen in the States. It had a version of Dolly doing Help! on it, and I thought…. ‘Man, that would make a killer grass tune.’

When I had my band – Ashby Frank, Beth Lawrence, Clay Jones and me – we came up with the arrangement, and it just seemed to work. Plus, it’s just fun to play!

It stayed with me until I got ready to record.”

Two alumni from The Gena Britt Band show up on Doing All I Can, Ashby Frank on mandolin and Clay Jones on guitar, along with Greg Luck on guitar, Wayne Benson on mandolin, Tim Tew on resonator guitar, and Zack McLamb on bass. Gena plays banjo throughout.

“All the musicians on this project are some of my best friends. I grew up in central North Carolina around most of these guys, most of them living only an hour or so from me. It has really been a blessing to grow up with these great musicians who’ve all gone on to be some of the best in the business. I asked Shawn Lane to be a guest vocalist on this project, because I absolutely love his singing. He’s one of the purest vocalists that I know of, and I love to sing with him in my car. So, why not ask him to be on my record? It was an honor.

My husband Tim Tew was guest vocalist on a gospel tune called I’m Glorybound that I heard in his dad’s church not long after we started dating. I think he did a great job and this cut turned out being one of the most straight-ahead bluegrass tunes on the album. His brother, David, and I are singing harmony on that tune.”

Greg Corbett, Wayne Joyce and Teresa Hatley Love also contribute harmony vocals.

Gena also gave us some background on other songs she chose for her new CD.

“Old Flames is another tune that I heard Dolly Parton doing for the first time. I’ve been singing this song for years on my shows and it is one of my most requested songs. It’s an old classic that never grows old for me.

The Life Sentence was written by David Thompson, of the band Kanes River. Julie Elkins had gotten me a copy of this song several years ago and I loved it. Julie cut this song as well, with a little different feel. This song is kind of out of my bluegrass comfort zone, but when we tried it out, everyone seemed to love it and I think it turned out great. The band had a ball with this song in the studio.

As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You was a tune that I’d heard Lonesome River Band do from an early project of theirs. I thought it would be a cool duet with my husband, and that it might be a tune that alot of folks haven’t heard in a long time. It was originally cut by John Conlee, and it was a much slower country version, but I like how the LRB grassed it up.

The House is one that has a neat story. It kind of wrote itself, so it’s special to me. It’s one that I wrote about the house where I live, an old 1800’s farm house. Before we moved in, I’d heard some stories about it being a home where un-wed mothers would come and stay, work on the farm until they had their babies, and then leave. I always thought that was so interesting, and it happened in my house.

I guess I was thinking about that one night when I couldn’t sleep, got up, and just stared into the dark hallway. I picked up my guitar and started playing this haunting melody in a minor key. Then, I started thinking about what it must have been like for those young mothers to be in that home. I know this sounds strange, but I could almost hear babies crying. That’s how I came up with this song.”

Audio samples from several songs can be heard on CD Baby, and full tracks for three songs are available on Gena’s MySpace page.

Radio hosts and programmers who would like a copy of the CD for airplay can contact Gena by email.

Doing All I Can can be purchased from CD Baby, or from Gena at any of her shows with Dale Ann Bradley.

“I’m so proud to be playing with Dale Ann right now. She is such a pleasure to travel with and work for. We’re having a blast and looking forward to picking together a long time.”

Do yourself a favor and check out this fine recording.

Congratulations Tim and Gena!

Dalsyn Vara Tew	Sisters Tew

The new project also prominently features Lorraine and Gena, along with Mindy Rakestraw, Frances Mooney, Donica Christensen, Jeanette Williams, Valerie Smith, Becky Buller, Beth Lawrence, Julie Elkins, Angela Oudean, Louisa Branscomb, Michelle Nixon, Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Megan McCormick, and Vicki Simmons. From The Well was released on Blue Circle Records in mid-March, and can be ordered from the Daughters web site.

Gena and her husband Tim have agreed to join Carolina Road for the start of the upcoming season. Gena and I also play together in the Daughters of Bluegrass. The Daughters of Bluegrass are signed with Blue Circle Records out of Nashville, TN. Carolina Road plans to stay traditional and looks forward to a new show for 2006.

We contacted Gena to ask her about it, and to find out what her future plans were.

For the time being, I will be playing banjo and Tim (my husband) will be playing dobro until about mid-April this year (unless she finds permanent replacements before then). Lorraine is beginning her search for permanent band members and she’s making an effort to find the right people for the job.

After Tim & I finish our free-lance gig with Lorraine, we have alot of great things coming up. I have a new album coming out this year called “Doing All I Can” and I will be re-forming the Gena Britt Band.

Be sure to check back here in the future as we’ll bring you updates about Gena’s new CD and new band.

My instruments were recovered! Yeah!! I got them back yesterday,and am very thankful. Thought I’d send this news in, so you can share with all those that were keeping up with it. Was great to see you at IBMA. I appreciate all you & John are doing. Love the Blog!

Best,
Gena

They got the XBox, about 20 games, a Watch, tried to get the computer, but must’ve got spooked in the middle of that. But, what makes my heart hurt the most is that 3 of our instruments were stolen. They got a newer model Michael Kelly acoustic bass with a gig bag, my husband’s Phil Leadbetter model dobro and case, and my (gasp) 1964 Gibson RB-250 Banjo. I still don’t know what to say. I have had this banjo for 21 years (since I was 12). Some distinguishing markings on the banjo is that it has a brand new head on it that was just put on, and the old “D” tuners were removed and the holes were filled in a long time ago. Please keep your eyes and ears open.

If you have any information about these instruments please contact Gena immediately.