Flatpicking Bluegrass is the latest CD from FGM Records, the label branch of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. The CD features 12 flatpicking masters on 12 traditional bluegrass numbers. These are all vocal tunes, no instrumentals here. According to Dan Miller, publisher of FGM, the goal of the recording was to highlight the role that can be played by lead guitar in a strictly vocal, bluegrass setting.

While many still think of “flatpicking” the guitar as taking solos on fiddle tunes, the flatpickers on this recording are here to show you that the guitar also has something to say on traditional bluegrass vocal tunes.

The majority of the tracks were recorded in Nashville, and the band remains the same on each song with the exception of the guitar player/lead singer, and the occasional harmony vocalist.

The back up band includes Shad Cobb on fiddle, Charlie Chadwick on bass, Chris Joslin on Dobro and banjo, and Dave Harvey on mandolin. Tim May and Brad Davis provide harmony vocals on most tunes, although others also sing harmony on select tunes.

The line up of guitar players is impressive, as is the song list of traditional tunes.

1. My Home’s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains – Steven Mougin
2. East Virginia Blues – John Chapman
3. Six White Horses – Jeff White
4. When The Golden Leaves Begin To Fall – Jim Hurst
5. Long Journey Home – Josh Williams
6. I’ll Stay Around – Tim Stafford
7. Banks Of The Ohio – Brad Davis
8. Why Don’t You Tell Me So – Richard Bennett
9. In The Pines – Chris Jones
10. Teardrops In My Eyes - Jim Nunally
11. Gone Home – Tim May
12. Air Mail Special On The Fly – Kenny Smith

The consistency of the band from track to track lends a unity to the disc, which, when paired with the diversity of vocal and guitar styles represented, results in a very pleasant and interesting 40 minutes of music.

Choosing a favorite track would be nearly impossible. Each player brings a unique approach that distinguishes each track from the others. There is something to be appreciated and enjoyed from each recording.

Fans of both flatpicking guitar and traditional bluegrass should equally enjoy this CD. If you happen to be a fan of both, Flatpicking Bluegrass is custom made for you!

Your blog authors have been busy in the studio all week working on a couple of new AcuTab projects that were mentioned earlier. I managed to snap a couple of photos of the action.

I thought I’d share them here for those that are interested.

The sessions have gone well and we’re excited about the results.

AcuTab Publications has news of several new bluegrass instructional DVDs due during the summer and fall of 2008.

Just completed shooting is a fiddle project with Mountain Heart’s Jim Van Cleve which will go into editing shortly. Jim covered a number of his own compositions (#6 Barn Dance, Nature Of The Beast, Devil’s Courthouse) plus spent considerable time describing how to add rhythmically in a band setting, and how to find solos and backup in different keys.

Due to be shot next week is a banjo DVD featuring Ron Block and a mandolin video with Sierra Hull. Both will focus on these two stellar players and their individual styles. More details about these should be forthcoming soon.

A JD Crowe banjo DVD is also scheduled to be shot later this year.

If you would like to be notified by email when these new titles are released, you can make that request on the AcuTab site.

AcuTab is also pleased to note the reissue of two popular titles that have been unavailable for some time. JD Crowe – AcuTab transcriptions includes banjo tablature for all the songs on two classic albums by JD Crowe & The New South, and Kenny Smith – Tunes and Techniques offers 3 hours with this flatpicking master on two DVDs.

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.