We’ve caught word of a few other new projects expected at some point in 2008.

Kati Penn is working now on a new project with Blue Highway’s Rob Ickes producing. She is planning a mid-2008 release.

Starting soon on a new album is Revonda Roberts & Harvest Wind, hoping to follow-up the success they saw with their Ancient Days CD,  which garnered a 2007 Dove Award Nomination.

Also tracking this fall/winter are The Infamous Stringdusters, with plans to turn over a final master to Sugar Hill early in ‘08. When I saw them earlier this year, there were a number of new songs in the show which they mentioned had been recently written by band members, all of which would be excellent candidates for inclusion on a new release.

No word yet on a release date for the second ‘Dusters CD.

2008 is shaping up as a powerful year for new bluegrass releases.

Members of North Carolina-based bluegrass/gospel group Harvest Wind were en route to a show in Missouri this past Friday (5/25) when their van was struck from behind, sending the vehicle into the path of a tractor trailer. The accident occurred near Clarksville, TN.

Eight people traveling in the van were injured, and one died while being transported to the hospital.

The Tennessean in Nashville, and the Statesville Record & Landmark both have stories on the crash. Their articles both indicate that the identity of the person killed in the accident was being withheld by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, but subsequent reports have noted that it was Crystal Wood, wife of Harvest Wind guitarist Brad Wood.

Notes of sympathy and encouragement can be sent via the band’s web site. The Bluegrass Blog extends our condolences to the band and the Wood family.