Western North Carolina-based bluegrass artists High Windy will release their debut project, A Greater Storm, May 20th on the Mountain Home label.

Named for a sweeping ridge line near their home in Asheville, NC, High Windy is one of that area’s fastest rising groups. After four years of regional award-winning performances this original bluegrass unit now moves into the national scene with their first recording effort.

A Greater Storm includes twelve tracks, nine of which were crafted by members of this five-piece group. Recognized bluegrass songwriter, vocalist and banjo player Patrick McDougal, contributes five songs to the project including a new version of his song The County Fool previously recorded by Alan Bibey and Del McCoury. He also wrote Stuck Out In The Rain, Four Winds, and Dance Around the Daisies, each of which helps to give an appropriate “nature” theme to the album. The Richest Man To God is a great gospel flavored tune from the same writer.

Guitarist and vocalist Shane Lail has three original songs Love of a Lifetime, which he frequently dedicates to his wife Stephanie; Good Ole Days, a song about love lost but not forgotten and Coming Home, about getting off the road and back to the ones we love and miss.

Mandolin player Ty Gilpin contributes the story song, Iron Horse, about the ironies of western development and the history of “progress in America.”

A Greater Storm also includes two fiddle-driven instrumentals, Big Scioto and Staten-Isle Joe, both of which are arranged by fiddler Tim Gardner. Each is a mix between bluegrass and old time music.

The fifth member of High Windy is bass player and lead and harmony vocalist Mark V Davis.

Guest musicians include award-winning Dobro® player Rob Ickes, David Johnson, Jeff Taylor and Cody Kilby. (more…)