We just got word of a new “part time” band that will performing selected dates starting later in 2010. The group is made up of several prominent musicians who have made their careers primarily as sidemen, so it will be interesting to see what they pull together.

Southern Accent is the name they have chosen for the new venture, which will feature Wyatt Rice and John Miller on guitar, Jesse Brock on mandolin, Joey Cox on banjo and Mike Conner on bass. Given Jesse’s sturdy commitment to Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Norman Wright will also do shows with the band on mandolin when he isn’t tied up with Darren Beachley and the Legends of the Potomac.

Conner, who will be managing the band, shared a nice overview of why there is reason to expect a great deal from this bunch.

“Musicians are always looking for other avenues of expression, other ways to do what they do. This group is no different.

As you’re probably aware, Wyatt splits his time between touring with brother Tony and The Unit, and a busy schedule from his own studio where’s he’s built quite a reputation as a mixing engineer along with brother Ronnie. When it comes to the guitar, there’s virtually nothing beyond his abilities or musical vision.

The same can be said of Jesse, who not only works regularly with one of the hottest bluegrass groups touring today, but has recently been co-producing with John Miller a fantastic new all-gospel project with prolific writer Rick Lang in Maine. I’ve heard some cuts off of that project (Wyatt and Ronnie Rice are mixing & mastering it now) and I predict it will be one of the most talked about new albums of 2010-2011. The ‘cast of characters’ of singers and musicians on this project is absolutely top-flight (Russell Moore & Dale Ann Bradley for starters – pretty good starting spot), great arrangements, just a pleasure to listen to.

Joey is of course still a young man, but his musical experience with Doyle Lawson, Blueridge, and Kenny & Amanda Smith just to name a few, is a resume that few players of bluegrass can claim, and for the first time in a while, he’ll get to show off that voice he’s been hiding, not to mention the other instruments on which he’s more than proficient.

John is a multi-instrumentalist, doubling on guitar & mandolin, and some soaring vocals of his own.  And when we begin to talk about ‘road schola’” experience in his case, the list is pretty impressive as well. LRB, J D Crowe, Bill Emerson, Junior Sisk, Norman Wright, and Herschel Sizemore have all had the pleasure of John’s musical support on stage, and in some cases in the studio.

As the guy with the least ’street cred’ in the bluegrass world, playing with these fellows is quite a treat for me, one I’m very much looking forward to. I’ve had the recent pleasure of working with Jason Moore on some bass workshops (next being The DC Bass Strummit with Jason, Mike, and guest bassist Tom Gray at the DCBU Festival March 27th), my on-going work with Roanoke FiddleFest now in its 8th year, and I’m still picking with the guys in Sandy Ridge. John & I do a duo gig as well (The Retreads) locally to keep our chops up and have a bit of walking around money, so although music isn’t my full-time occupation, I’m most certainly busy with it.”

Southern Accent doesn’t yet have a web presence, but that is in the works. They expect to tour primarily in the fall and winter when the festivals slow down and bluegrass moves indoors. Promoters and venues interested in working with the band can reach Mike Conner by email or phone (866-883-9466).

Doyle Lawson has made another set of changes to the Quicksilver lineup. Dale Perry will come on board to play banjo and sing bass, and Jason Leek will play bass and sing tenor. The new band will take the stage within the next two weeks.

Perry is a former member of Quicksilver, who did time in the band on both bass and banjo. He had been playing bass with Grasstowne, and before that was on banjo with David Parmley.

Leek has been playing bass with Barry Scott & Second Wind.

Departing banjo player Joey Cox said that Doyle had found no fault with his picking, but that he felt like he needed to make some changes to refine the sound of the band’s vocal trio and quartet.

For his part, Cox intends to return to college and is looking for a band with a more part time/weekend schedule while he is in school. He can be reached via Facebook.

So… it looks like Grasstowne and Barry Scott are looking for some new members too. It’s that time of year.

Kenny Smith is a name known well to bluegrass fans interested in instrumental prowess. Mr. Smith has won numerous awards, including a brace of IBMA trophies for Guitar Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999. Smith currently fronts his own band with wife Amanda, The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. One of the ingredients of a good band is good pickers, and Kenny hasn’t failed to find them.

Aaron Williams began playing at a early age, and at 9 years old he decided mandolin was going to be his instrument of choice. He began playing with Kenny and Amanda in June of 2007 at the age of 15. Aaron has developed into quite a talented young mandolin player and recently release his first solo recording project. The CD, Inside, was co-produced by the Smiths along with Aaron.

The recording features Williams on mandolin, Kenny Smith on guitar, band mate Zac McLamb on bass, and former Smith band member Joey Cox on banjo. Twelve tracks are included, all instrumental in nature.

Two of the tracks are original numbers written by the young mando player from Blacksburg, VA. Both tunes can claim attractive melodies and a sense of tastefulness not always found in players this young. I especially enjoy Seven Mile Ford.

Several traditional tunes are included such as Buffalo Gals, Done Gone and Jesse James. Two Monroe tunes found their way onto the disc, White Horse Breakdown and The Lee Weddin’ Tune.

Only one Kenny Smith composition was included, but it is one of my favorites, Me and My Farmall. This tune was first released on Kenny’s solo CD, Studebaker and captured my ear then for its wonderful melodic richness. Aaron treats the tune with finesse, playing this beautiful melody with style, grace and tone.

As a first outing for a young musician, this CD proves a musical maturity beyond his years. With youthful players like Aaron writing their material and playing the standards, bluegrass is surely safe in the hands of the next generation.

Visit for Aaron’s MySpace page for audio samples. I’m sure you can contact Aaron through that page for purchasing information, or just catch him at a live show with The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band.

And the bluegrass band scramble continues…

Joey Cox will be the newest member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, replacing Chris Warner who stepped in briefly when Terry Baucom left the band in March. Just 24 years old, Joey has already had a stellar bluegrass career. He has toured and recorded with both Lou Reid & Carolina and BlueRidge, and was working with Kenny & Amanda Smith when the call came in from Doyle.

Lawson has seen many band members come and go over his tenure at the helm, but was especially sorry to see Chris Warner leave.

“Chris had prior commitments in Pennsylvania which made for a very difficult and draining travel schedule. I really wish that it would have worked out with Chris, as he is an outstanding person.”

Here’s an interesting perspective: Joey wasn’t even born when Doyle Lawson left The Country Gentlemen to start his own band back in 1979. For his part, Joey grew up as a young banjo picker listening to the music of Terry Baucom and Scott Vestal, and developing his style by learning their licks from Quicksilver recordings.

“I never thought it could happen. It’s a like a dream come true. When I was a kid, me and my buddies would jam on Quicksilver tunes, and now I’ll be playing them on stage with Doyle.

It’s an honor and a great opportunity for me, and I’m really grateful for the chance.”

Joey said that he is hard at work learning all the material from the most recent Quicksilver release, More Behind The Picture Than The Wall, but was already familiar with much of Doyle’s earlier music.

Joey will be on stage with the band for their July 12 show at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Doyle said that he sent Joey set lists and CDs, and left him one piece of advice.

“I told him he better study hard.”