If you live within WSM’s very wide broadcast footprint, you can hear the show on 650-AM. If not, it will also be streamed live online from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The format brings four bands to the stage, emceed by Jim Lauderdale and Eddie Stubbs, with artist interviews conducted live by Craig Havighurst.

The Grascals have been enjoying their richly-deserved time in the spotlight this past few years. With a trio of critically-acclaimed albums and multiple IBMA awards, these guys (and gal) have been burning up the highway, keeping a very busy tour schedule.

Less well known (for now) is The Josh Williams Band. Regular readers of The Bluegrass Blog have seen our occasional mentions of Williams, a very talented, young artist who, at the age of 29, has already had the eye of the IBMA on him for 16 years. At age 13, he was singled out to be included in a group of Youth All Stars at the IBMA show, along with Chris Thile, Michael Cleveland, Cody Kilby and Brady Stogdill. Here he is in that illustrious company – on banjo – which foretold much of what we have seen from these fine pickers since that day.

Josh had memorable stints with Special Consensus and Rhonda Vincent in his late teens and early twenties, and has now struck out on his own. His third solo project will be released by Pinecastle in February, and The Josh Williams Band will soon begin recording their debut CD.

They had a very strong showing at IBMA 2009, and we spoke with Jim Roe of Roe Entertainment, who books Josh, about the impact of their high profile during World Of Bluegrass.

“Their main stage showcase went really, really well. They played a number of late night showcases in 2008, and I heard from several people that the band sounded much more mature this year, and that Josh looked really confident fronting his band.”

When we caught them at IBMA, the band consisted of Josh on guitar and lead vocals, Jason McKendree on banjo, Randy Barnes on bass and Scott Napier on mandolin. Greg Blaylock is often seen with them on resonator guitar, though not a regular member of the group. I also saw them in 2008, and can agree that this past year has seen Josh develop into a future star in bluegrass music.

Roe related another story about this very subject…

“A festival promoter that had the band for a show early in 2009 called me after the festival, and shared with me how much he enjoyed their performance, but pointed out a few areas where he thought they could improve. After seeing them at IBMA last month, he has decided to have them back next year.

With a full year as a front man under his belt, Josh is a lot more comfortable in his new role.”

Josh is excited about playing Music City Roots tonight. In addition to Josh and The Grascals, the show will also include music from James Intveld and Shawn Byrne.

Not to be outdone by NewFound Road and the folks on the American Revival Tour, Josh sent along a few Halloween photos of his own, taken at their Saturday show at The Station Inn. Josh’s dad, Tony Williams, also provided a play-by-play…

The Halloween Hoot from the world famous Station Inn, in Nashville, Tennessee, night before last(October 31, 2009 proved to be a blast, as expected!

The evening’s edition of the Josh Williams Band included from stage left to stage right: Resophonic guitar genius, Willie P. Richardson, (aka Greg Blaylock, the pride of Dickson, TN.) former President, and banjoist extraordinaire, Abraham Lincoln (aka Jason “Jaymack” McKendree), one of history’s finest guitar players and lead singers, Wyatt Earp (aka Josh Williams), the always bloodthirsty, King of blood-suckers, and the acoustic upright bass, “The Count” Vlad Randolph Barnes (aka Randy Barnes), and with guest mandolinist, and traveler of the high seas, Long John Frank, (aka Ashby Frank).

The house was packed with guests from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida, and no doubt more, to hear this good-looking and picturesque Rogue’s gallery, who kept the crowd entertained through two excellent sets of the finest quality Bluegrass and Americana music for a little over two and one half hours. Excellent audio engineer and legendary Lonesome River Band producer and engineer, Tim Austin, did an outstanding job on the sound board, keeping the incredible band well heard, and noise free for the entire length of the show.

In the audience, along with many people in street attire, one could observe, Raggedy Andy, several vampires, zombies, and a trio of folks with horns protruding from the heads. The staff at the Inn included beautiful Swiss misses Emily and Jess. Two separate groups of young ladies added international presence, good friends of First Lady, Amelia Aerheart-Lincoln (Carolyn Klassen McKendree) attending as part of a visit with their friend, all from the Canadian province of Manitoba, in and around the town of Winkler, Carolyn’s home-town. Another group of lovely young Japanese ladies were attending, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy all the band members, and their very entertaining show.

All in all, I’d say this was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen at the Station Inn, in the twenty-odd years I’ve been attending performances there.

This will be the third solo CD for this young artist, who at 29 has already logged lengthy stints with Special Consensus and Rhonda Vincent. His debut album, Now That You’re Gone, was released in 2001, featuring contributions from a who’s who of bluegrass superpickers, as did his 2004 follow-up, Lonesome Highway.

On Down Home, Josh pays tribute to the artists who inspired him, and the acts who gave him a start in the business. He reunites most of the personnel from Special C during his tenure (Greg Cahill and Tim Dishman), and has his guitar idol Tony Rice with him for a version of Blue Railroad Train. Tracking for this project started while Josh was still a member of The Rage, and Rhonda joins on a couple of songs along with fellow then-Ragers Kenny Ingram and Mickey Harris.

Also helping out are Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, Stewart Duncan, Jason Carter, Carl Jackson, Randy Kohrs, Tina Adair, and Aaron McDaris.

We heard Josh perform a couple of tracks from the CD during his IBMA showcase. His version of Jimmy Martin’s The Last Song was brilliant, and I am eager to hear the recorded version when the album hits. There is an inescapable joy in Williams’ music, and it is infectious, whether live or on disc.

Greg Cahill rivals Doyle Lawson in the bluegrass talent development department. Over the nearly 35 years he has managed Special Consensus, he has seen a number of young artists develop into fine musicians, and he is a big Josh Williams backer.

“I cannot speak highly enough about the musical accomplishments of Josh Williams, my good friend and consummate musician. He came to The Special Consensus right out of high school (actually while in his last few months of school) and immediately played mandolin and sang like a seasoned professional. Over the years since that time, he has grown to become a major voice in the world of bluegrass music and an award-winning guitar player as well. He is a great writer, singer and instrumentalist and it is a true joy to see him begin to receive the recognition his extraordinary talent deserves. Go Josh!!!”

Rhonda Vincent also spoke highly of Williams…

“Josh is a very talented guy. So glad to hear his CD is finally coming out.”

Pre-order details for Down Home can be found on the official Josh Williams web site.

Downloading the Gold Heart photos last night, I missed Darin and Brooke Aldridge and Spring Creek, both of whom I had hoped to see. Darin and Brooke just announced last week that their next CD will be released on the Mountain Home label, probably early in 2010. There are more details and a YouTube clip of one of the new songs on the Mountain Home web site.

I had run into Taylor Sims of Spring Creek earlier in the day, when he stopped to speak with Alan Munde, who had been his teacher when Taylor and the other members of the band were enrolled in the bluegrass program at South Plain College in Texas. The pride was obvious on Alan’s face, meeting up with a former student at IBMA who was moving up in the bluegrass business.

I did make it back to the showcase stage in time to see The Josh Williams Band. Wow!

Josh has always been a confident performer, not to mention a fine singer and guitar player. He shone as a member of Special Consensus and Rhonda Vincent’s band, and has three solo projects under his name. All this before he has reached the age of 30. He debuted his own band at IBMA last year, and the difference over the past year is starkly dramatic.

His band consists of musicians from Williams’ home state of Kentucky, who are also long time friends close to his age. Jason McKendree was on banjo, Randy Barnes on bass and Scott Napier on mandolin.

I can’t think of the last time I heard a four piece band this strong – rhythmically solid and sonically powerful – since maybe the early editions of Lonesome River Band in the 1990s. Their sound is crisp, precise and in-your-face. With Josh’s easy charm and million dollar smile, it makes for a very engaging performance. The guys obviously have fun on stage, and Josh is perfectly comfortable with the attention on him.

He seemed sincerely appreciative for the chance to appear on an official showcase, and thanked the crowd repeatedly for the opportunity. The Josh Williams Band, whose debut CD won’t be released until next year on Pinecastle, was nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year for Thursday’s IBMA Awards, something that again elicited a grateful mention from the stage.

The only song from the show that I recall Josh specifically mentioning as being on the new album was his brilliant version of The Last Song, a classic from the Jimmy Martin repertoire. This song requires a skilled and confident vocalist, and Josh absolutely owned it. Another standout was the Mark Mathewson song Mordecai, from Josh’s 2004 CD, Lonesome Highway.

A big part of achieving success at IBMA is being ready to take full advantage of your shot at such a big stage. Josh showed last night that he and his young band are ready, willing and able.

The festival is centered around flatpick guitar playing and instruction. It is held on the grounds of the Peaceful Bend Vineyard. The venue is small and intimate allowing for a great deal of interaction between performers/instructors, and the students/fans.

Thursday night I taped the 3rd in a series of performance DVDs for the festival’s promotors, Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and SimpleFolk Productions. The recording went well and I’m about to be knee deep in editing for a while.

Like the others in the series, the concert featured the guitar work of three outstanding players. This year it is Scott Nygaard, Jack Lawrence, and Robert Bowlin. Once I get the editing done I’m sure we’ll post a short clip or two to give you a taste.

Opening for the trio were the 2008 IBMA and 2009 SPGMA Guitar Player of the Year Josh Williams, and 2008 Walnut Valley International Competition and 2009 Merlefest Flatpicking Champion Tyler Grant.It was a fun night and I’m sure the rest of the weekend was great as well. Here’s a few thought from Tyler Grant.

Josh and I did four numbers on Thursday night to open for the trio’s DVD shoot. The acoustics were very nice in the wine cellar, and it was a comfortable venue to play and to sit back and listen. A little glass of wine made it even more comfortable, and every now and then one of Clyde and Katie’s dogs would wander in making the whole atmosphere feel even more down-home and country. The trio of Bowlin, Lawrence and Nygaard with Wil Maring on upright bass was outstanding. Each guitarist brought his own style to the forefront, while all three met in the middle for some truly beautiful music. It would take an entire post just to go into the details of the show, so I will just advise readers to buy the DVD and hear for themselves. Gorgeous guitar music and some stellar vocal contributions from Jack, Wil and Robert.

You can read all his thoughts on the weekend in the Flatpick-L Archives, here and here.

If you’re interested in photos of the event, be sure to check out this page on the Flatpicking Guitar Ning Network.

The album is tentatively titled Down Home, for a Carl Jackson song Josh sings on the CD, with a release date anticipated later this summer. Other writers whose songs will be featured include Steve Spurgeon, Tom T. and Dixie Hall, Jimmy Martin and Homer Joy.

Josh has had a busy year so far. In addition to getting this new record completed, he was a featured artist on the Pick One All-Star tour, and has been working shows with his group and as a member of The Tony Rice Unit.

Now that work on this project is complete, Josh says that he is mighty pleased with what they have recorded.

“I am exceedingly proud to say this is a self produced project, and features some of the best guest artists in the business. I was able to re-record an old Delmore Brothers tune that became a Tony Rice classic. It is done much like the original Rice version, and has become one of the tunes we do when the Tony Rice Unit plays at festivals and shows. That tune is Blue Railroad Train, and features Tony Rice on guitar, Randy Kohrs on dobro, and Mickey Harris on bass, with me playing mandolin and singing the lead vocal.

Other guest artists on this new project include Tina Adair, Tim Dishman, Stuart Duncan, Jason Carter, Jamie Dailey, Darren Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, Tony Creasman and Doug Jernigan.”

Josh tells us that he is now picking out material for the first studio recording with his own group, The Josh Williams Band, and that they hope to be in the studio tracking that project in the next few weeks.

On Friday, April 3rd, 2009, The Josh Williams Band was asked to back up legendary western singer, Michael Martin Murphey at Owensboro Kentucky’s eighth annual "Bluegrass Returns to Its Roots Festival."  Josh Williams said, "the band and I felt honored to perform with Michael, as we all think he is one of America’s Premier singer-songwriters.  I recorded his "Carolina In The Pines" with "Special Consensus" several years ago, and it is still one of my most requested songs So it was a special thrill to get to perform that song with him!"

And here a couple photos he sent along of the Josh Williams Band with Michael Martin Murphey.

Josh Williams has announced a personnel change for the Josh Williams Band. Bass player Tim Dishman has elected to spend more time at home with his family, and to devote more time to his day job.

Randy Barnes comes into the group to replace Dishman. No, not that Randy Barnes, this one.

Randy formerly played bass with New Found Road. Since parting ways with NFR, Randy has been looking for a band that he felt was the right fit for him. It seems he found it with the Josh Williams Band.

We look forward to hearing him with this exciting young band.

Josh will also start work soon on the debut album from The Josh Williams Band, and is currently selecting the material. His booking agent, Jim Roe, said that Josh is accepting song submissions, so all you writers out there, if you have something you would like him to hear, it can be sent to:

Josh also sent along a photo of a very special show he did back in early December. He had been invited to perform as a trio with Alison Krauss and Ron Block at the Successful Christian Living Ministries retreat in Talladega, AL.

“I have admired both of these people for years, as great musicians, singers, and writers, but getting to work closely with them was quite a thrill for me. I had admired Ron for his musicianship, and song writing, but this past weekend I also realized that he is one of the finest Christian gentlemen I’ve ever met. Where Alison is concerned, I’ve loved her playing and singing for years, and have always agreed with the many writers and commentators when they referred to her beautiful voice as angelic. But I don’t think I really ever understood the full depth of that statement until I was standing next to her singing the hymns we sang in Alabama. I actually felt like I was singing with a genuine Angel.”

You can follow Josh’s tour schedule on his web site.

First up is Second Season, from 2008 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Kristin Scott Benson.

This CD has been “sort of” released for a few months. Though its official street date is tomorrow (1/13/09), Pinecastle shipped it to radio in late October of last year and had copies available for sale through the Music Shed over the holidays. The CD has already showed up in the Top Albums chart for XM and Sirius satellite radio, so you may have heard some cuts already.

There is so much to like about this project. Kristin’s banjo playing is crisp, clean and note-perfect throughout. The song choices – including four new instrumentals of hers – show her skill as a producer, arranger and composer for the banjo. The opening track, Kristin’s Don’t Tread On Me, and Bill Emerson’s No Steering, No Brakes have her tearing up the five bluegrass-style, while her arrangements of Sandy River Belle and Greencastle Hornpipe indicate her facility bringing old time and Celtic tunes into the bluegrass realm.

The vocal numbers mixed among the instrumentals are appropriate to the general feel of the CD, and all feature vocalists with whom Kristin has worked over the years. No Southern Comfort, sung by Josh Williams, is a real standout, as is Imagine That, sung in close duet harmony by Sally Jones and Mickey Harris.

As if all that wasn’t sufficient reason to recommend this recording, it also has guitar wizard David Grier featured on six of twelve tracks, and boy does he shine. David performs primarily in a solo setting these days, and what a treat to hear him in a bluegrass setting.

All of the pickers and singers provide first rate performances. Jim Van Cleve and Shad Cobb play fiddle, Andy Todd and Mickey Harris are on bass, Cody Kilby also plays guitar, and Kristin’s husband Wayne Benson is on mandolin.

With tomorrow’s wide release, you should be able to find Second Season wherever you shop for bluegrass recordings, both on compact disc and via digital download.

Audio samples are available from iTunes and Music Shed.

When we spoke with Wyatt recently, he mentioned that a few spots are still open for the three day workshop, and that the facility and the grounds were ideally suited for an event like this. Like last year, there will be both morning and afternoon sessions, with enrollment limited to 10 students for maximum interaction with Wyatt.

Full workshop details and tuition information can be found online.

Wyatt also spoke about the latest version of The Tony Rice Unit,where he has performed with his brother for a good many years. The current lineup contains Tony and Wyatt on guitar, Rickie Simpkins on fiddle, Bryn Davies on bass, and the newest member, Josh Williams on mandolin and lead vocals.

“It’s working out great with Josh in the band. He is singing a bunch of Tony’s songs, and he sounds great.”

We came away with three different looks at how this next generation might take the music, and a renewed respect for the skill and vision of these yong artists, and the determination of the bluegrass business community to nurture and promote their careers.

The first act we caught was The Farewell Drifters and while I was familiar with their debut CD, Sweet Summer Breeze I had never seen them perform in person. Their live show was different in many ways. They had the requisite instrumentation (banjo, mandolin, bass and two guitars) but they neither look nor present themselves like the typical young bluegrass band.

Their look and their original material are drawn as much from the singer/songwriter boom of the late 1960s as from the earlier legacy of the bluegrass founders. The songs are introspective and personal, and the playing is subdued and clearly secondary to the melodies and lyrics. Even their stage banter had a quirky and nervous energy, much in keeping with the band’s slightly oddball demeanor.

Next, we caught part of a showcase from mandolinist Dominick Leslie, a first year student at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston. Dominick grew up in Colorado and has been playing bluegrass since he was ten years old. He had taken the second place prize in both the Walnut Valley and Merlefest mandolin competitions before finishing high school.

Dominick performed with a number of young Boston musicians, fellow Berklee student Sam Grisman on bass, Jordan Tice on guitar and Wes Corbett on banjo. All were strong, adventurous soloists and the music they played was challenging both harmonically and technically. In the audience for this showcase were Berklee professor David Hollender, and college president Roger Brown, as well as Andy Falco from The Infamous Stringdusters who has hooting at hollering his encouragement with every hot lick.

The pickers not only had to impress their peers and industry types, but their teacher and headmaster as well! The influence of Chris Thile and his merry band was clear in the band’s music – not a band example at all for such talented young players. Remember their names.

We then wandered down the concourse to see Josh Williams perform with his new band. This time, the music was straightahead contemporary bluegrass from one of the certain rising stars in this business. Josh had memorable stints with Special Consensus and Rhonda Vincent before launching his solo career. He already has three CD projects under his name – not bad for a 28 year old singer and guitarist.

His band consisted of Tim Dishman on bass, Clayton Campbell on fiddle, Jason McKendree on banjo, Chase Johner on Mandolin, and Greg Blaylock on resophonic guitar. They ran through a brief set of songs Josh has recorded, all of which showcased his dynamic and very expressive voice. His vocal agility is reminiscent of Keith Whitley when he sang bluegrass, and Josh’s easy smile and sincerity on stage garnered him more than a few squeals from the female contingent in the crowd.

At least one major bluegrass label head was in attendance, and we hope that Josh can leave IBMA this year with a record deal.

Joe Dean had joined us to watch Josh, and we had an interesting discussion with him before the show began.

He was thinking back to just one year ago, when he first performed with Dailey & Vincent at their debut show at the 2007 Fan Fest. Joe had been doing road work with bands for at least the prior three years, but this was taking it to a whole new level.

“I had never been so scared on stage in my life. I knew this was a huge gig for the band, and when I made it to the stage, it was like I completely blanked out for 30 minutes, and then I woke up and the show was over.”

Now, with a hundred or more shows under his belt, those stage jitters are a thing of the past for Joe. He said that band has been in the studio recently working on their next CD for Rounder, and Joe is enjoying the attention he is receiving from his new visibility with the band.

“Steve Huber from Huber banjos called me up and offered to make me a banjo. That was really a cool thing, and I’m trying to decide now what to have him build. He’s given me two new Hubers to use on the new CD, and those both sound great.”

We may not know for a few years yet how far these various young musicians will go in their chosen profession, nor which directions they will pull the music. I find it very encouraging to see such talent arising, and such strong support for them by the existing bluegrass community.

Josh expressed his excitement about the newest member of his band.

I have known Greg Blaylock for several years, since the time we met in my pre-teen years while playing the contest circuit throughout the south. I have always liked the way Greg played, and thought he was the best of all the young Dobro players in those days. After the night Greg filled in with us while Clayton was on tour with the Gibson Brothers, the band and I loved the way his playing fit our style so much that I invited him to become a full-time member, and was delighted when he accepted the position. I think he has become, and will continue to be a real asset to the Josh Williams Band. I’m especially glad he decided to play  with us in time to be with us at all our IBMA appearances.

If you will be attending the IBMA events later this month, be sure to catch on of the performances from this great young band.

Josh tells me he’s happy with the band he’s put together, and he’s looking forward to letting people hear them.

I feel I have put together an excellent band of great players and great people, A musical group that is second to none, with Tim Dishman on bass, Clayton Campbell on fiddle, Jason McKendree on banjo and Chase Johner on Mandolin.

The members of the "JWB" and I are looking forward to working with Jim and all the folks at Roe Entertainment, and are especially excited about getting back out to work with all our good friends out on the Bluegrass circuit. We are honored to have become part of such a great roster as we prepare for the 2009 and 2010 touring season.

The band has been getting a good response so far from the fans. The included picture is from a sold out show at the Station Inn on July 12, 2008.

Josh tells me the band is playing a mixture of contemporary and traditional bluegrass. Josh is certainly the man to do it, as he has a firm grasp on where this music came from, and he’s one of the young musicians who will dictate where it goes.

I suggest you get out and see this fine young band at the first opportunity.

The two are scheduled to be married later this month, July 26, 2008, in Burns, TN where the couple plans to live.

Here’s the text of the engagement announcement that Josh sent out.

Kevin & Debbie Harper of Dickson, TN. announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Jennifer Lynsey Harper, to Joshua Seth Williams, son of Tony & Terri Williams of Benton, KY. Jenny Lyn is the granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. William S. Chapman of West Monroe, LA and Mr. & Mrs. Sam Stutts of Pioneer, LA, and the late James R. Harper of Pioneer, LA. She is a 2001 graduate of Simsboro High School in Simsboro, LA and attended East Tennessee State University. She is currently employed with Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort.

Josh is the grandson of the late E. G. "Lightning" and Mary Neale Williams and the late Philip G. Farnum and Pauline Farnum and Roland E. Culp and Sarah Hyde. He is a 1999 graduate of Marshall Co. High School. He is currently the lead singer and guitar player for The Josh Williams Band.

Festival organizers tell me the event was a success and plans are already underway for next year.

The lineup for the festival was an impressive list of both regional and national bluegrass acts. Saturday night included a special All-Star Jam including Terry Baucom and Wes Golding, both of whom were members of Boone Creek when the debut album was released 30 years ago. Baucom and Golding were joined on stage by long time musical collaborator Lou Reid, and relative newcomer Josh Williams.

I wish I could have heard that! Cindy Baucom sent along this photo taken by Mike Lane.

Among them was veteran songwriter and bluegrass entrepreneur Tom T. Hall, who shared a few words about the show on Josh’s web site.

At nine-fifteen, a hush lay over the crowd and then suddenly a wild burst of applause swept the room as Josh, Clayton, Tim, Jason, and Chase took the stage; after all the years of playing in other bands, including Rhonda Vincent’s Rage, we were now looking at The Josh Williams Band.

All of the songs that Josh had recorded over the years could now be performed at his own discretion. He made mention of the fact that he had worked many nights when he got to sing only one song. And now he had the stage all to himself with his own band.

Miss Dixie and I looked at one another and smiled. After all the learning, practice, watching, patience and dedication to his craft and his art, Josh Williams had arrived.

Josh’s band features Clayton Campbell on fiddle, Tim Dishman on bass, Jason McKendree on banjo, Chase Johner on mandolin, and Williams on guitar and lead vocals.

You can read the rest of Tom T.’s comments on Josh’s site, and see several photos from the show on photographer Bobby Jones’ web site.

For the next two weekends, Josh will be performing with the Alecia Nugent Band. He’ll do shows with her on February 9, 10, 15 and 16.

Josh’s band will then debut at the Station Inn in Nashville, TN on February 23, 2008. Josh’s management team will begin considering booking offers for festivals and shows during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, at that time.

But if you want to see Josh play, you’ll have plenty of opportunities, as he will be filling in with the Larry Stephenson Band through the remainder of the 2008 season. Josh said he anticipates very few scheduling conflicts between the Larry Stephenson Band and his own band.

It’s the 3rd annual Pickin’ at the Paramount all star show where top bluegrass artists get together for two shows, performing together in round robin-type groupings quite different from the way fans are used to seeing them.

Artists involved in this year’s show include Mike Bub, Tim Laughlin, Ron Stewart, Adam Steffey, Jim Hurst, Dale Ann Bradley, Bradley Walker, Alecia Nugent, Terry Baucom, Phil Leadbetter, Alan Bibey, David Talbot, Missy Raines, Ricky Wasson, Kenny & Amanda Smith and Josh Williams. Cindy Baucom will be the emcee.

If you live within a comfortable drive’s distance of Bristol, this show would be well worth the trip. Shows are at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Center for the Arts, a restored art deco movie house from the 1920’s.

More details about online ticket purchasing can be found on The Paraount site.

After his hasty departure from Rhonda Vincent’s band, The Rage, prior to the IBMA award show last October, speculation swirled as to what Josh would do. Some said he should start his own band, and he took their advice to heart. The Josh Williams Band will begin touring this summer, and Josh has announced the band line-up, short a mandolin player.

Josh is an accomplished player on almost every instrument in the bluegrass line up, but he has chosen to stick with the guitar in his new band. Tim Dishman will be playing bass in the band. Dishman and Williams know each other from their days together as members of the Special Consensus, Greg Cahill’s Chicago based band. Josh is calling on two boyhood friends for the fiddle and banjo slots in the band. Clayton Campbell will play fiddle and Jason McKendree will be picking the banjo. Both of these young men are western Kentucky natives and long time friends of Josh.

The band will make it’s debut appearance at the world famous Station Inn in Nashville, TN next month on February 23, 2008. Josh expects to announce a mandolin player before that show. He tells me he is still actively looking for the right player to fit the band’s style and personality.

I spoke with Tony Williams yesterday, Josh’s dad, who will be booking the band through Awsipro Music. Tony tells me the band is planning to record almost immediately.

This new group is already planning to step into the studio to record an initial project. Josh has been gathering material ranging from seldom done golden oldies of the first generation bluegrass repiture to original material he and others are writing. The band will be working these songs up for performance in addition to the material from Josh’s other projects on Pinecastle records, including the still unreleased third project.

And what about that unreleased CD? Josh says it only lacks a few vocal parts here and there and he plans to have it finished and released sometime early summer of this year.

Keep an eye on Josh’s website, JoshWilliamsMusic.com, for updates about the band and tour schedule information.

As you might expect, the boys pick it solid throughout, and surely do so throughout this one hour production.