If you are interested in old instruments and the stories behind them, you’ll want to give this a look.

Or you may find sidemen touring together while their primary musical employers are taking some time off for the holidays. There are two such mini-tours for the end of 2009 that should be of interest to bluegrass and acoustic music fans.

First up, The Nedski-Mojo Show, which began this past weekend, and continues through next week. It features banjo picker Ned Luberecki, who performs with both Chris Jones and Larry Cordle, and guitarist Stephen Mougin, who works with Sam Bush. Both are superb musicians and singers, and Ned could easily hold forth for half the show as a stand up comedian.

They have a string of concerts and workshops along the east coast leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday and you can be sure to catch a highly entertaining and musically challenging program if they stop near you. A full list of dates can be found on Facebook.

Then in December, mandolinists Adam Steffey and Kym Warner will tour together briefly in Virginia and Maryland, billed as Mandolin Sessions.

Steffey may be the most prominent bluegrass mando man in the biz these days. He has been named Mandolin Player of the Year six times by the IBMA, and his current CD and DVD releases are hits with the public. Most folks first came to know his music when he was a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, and he has toured since with Mountain Heart and now, Dan Tyminski.

Warner is a founding member of The Greencards, a fascinating, genre-bending outfit of acoustic musicians who formed in the US, though none were native born. Kym hails from Australia, but lives now in Nashville.

You can find information about the Mandolin Sessions dates at Mandolin Cafe.

The result with Michael Lawrence is Bach and Friends, due for DVD release early in 2010. The film looks at the timeless music of Johann Sebastian Bach through the eyes of 21st century musicians in a variety of genres. Lawrence has made a dozen or more documentaries, many focused on musical topics and personalities.

Mike told us that this Bach film began as a small project, but starting with his connections in the bluegrass world, has grown to include interviews and performances from some of the biggest names in contemporary music. Bach and Friends features several names familiar to bluegrass fans (Chris Thile, Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer), along with jazz singer Bobby McFerrin and classical notables Joshua Bell, Sharon Isbin, Glenn Gould and The Emerson String Quartet.

“The whole idea of the movie is to bring young people – and people who aren’t familiar with Bach – to learn more about him. The project started with just an idea and my savings, and I had no idea there would be so many luminaries in the movie.

I spent about a year producing from the second floor of my house, and I just started contacting people, and they said yes.”

Lawrence runs a one-man operation (Michael Lawrence Films) and came to classical music from a bluegrass background. He played banjo as a young man, and with no options to study banjo in college such as there are today, he gravitated to guitar. He was a member of the very first graduating class at The Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Aaron Shearer, and performed as a classical guitarist.

Film scoring and original music for films was Michael’s introduction to the world of the cinema. He provided music for more than a dozen projects, most notably The Other Americans, which won numerous Emmy Awards in 1969. Lawrence soon found his place behind the camera, and as writer, producer or director, has more than 20 films to his credit, aired on PBS, HBO and CNN.

After a career close to classical music, it was his bluegrass roots that got the Bach Project off the ground.

“Béla was the first big name person who came aboard, which led to Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile. I knew of Chris from Nickel Creek, but had no idea he played Bach.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Though he expects that Bach and Friends will eventually be broadcast on television, the first step is producing a 2 hour documentary on DVD. Lawrence said that the DVD is due for release in January 2010 – a 2 DVD set to include the documentary on one disc, and all of the musical performances strung back-to-back on the other.

Here’s a look at Béla’s contribution…

Click here to view the embedded video.

More video samples can be found on Lawrence’s web site.

Michael said that while his professional career now revolves around film and classical music, he still keeps up his bluegrass chops.

“I play bluegrass about once a month at a jam here in Baltimore – so I’m usually a little rusty, but it’s always fun.”

The music of JS Bach has had appeal to banjo and mandolin players for some time, with its focus on linear melodies that can be adapted well to these instruments. Hearing Bach perfomed on the harpsichord (for which much of it was written) really brings the banjo to mind, and perhaps this new film will spur a study of this lovely music by younger string players with a bluegrass bent.

Click on the Episode #2 link in the player.

Here is the first installment, with Sam and the boys laying out a live version of the title track, along with some interview segments with Bush. Scott Vestal is on banjo, Stephen Mougin on guitar, Byron House on bass and Chris Brown on drums.

Sugar Hill also sent some photos from Sam’s album release party in Nashville on October 20. It was a star-studded affair, held at the Sound Emporium, which not only marked the street debut of Circles Around Me, but Sam and Lynn Bush’ 25th wedding anniversary as well.

Donica Christensen at Sugar Hill tells us that it was a fun-filled evening…

“The event was ‘invitation only’ and the guests included press and industry contacts, fellow musicians, and close personal friends of Sam and Lynn.  Sam’s record was played throughout the evening, and since it was also an anniversary party – we had a mic set up for toasts.  There were some great ones, including Garth Fundis, Dan Hays, Jerry Douglas, Rob McCoury, Guthrie Trapp, Jeff Hanna, and more.”

UPDATE 12:55 p.m. – Sam Bush has offered Bluegrass Blog readers a free download from his web site. Just go to sambush.com, and enter ‘bluegrassblog’ on the home page for a free download of Midnight on the Stormy Deep from Circles Around Me.

He’ll be on the second episode of Music City Roots, a new live concert venture broadcast each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) from The Loveless Barn, just outside of Nashville. Eddie Stubbs and Jim Lauderdale co-host, with live artist interviews conducted by Craig Havighurst each week.

Mike Farris and Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade will also be on tonight’s show. It will air from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on WSM AM-650 in the Nashville market, and online via live streaming.

The series launched last week with a performance from Emmylou Harris, and many of the upcoming episodes will feature bluegrass or grassy artists.

• 11/4 – Josh Williams and John Cowan
• 11/25 – John Cowan
• 12/2 – Dale Ann Bradley
• 12/9 – Donna Ulisse and Emmit-Nershi Band
• 12/16 – Cherryholmes, Mountain Heart and Nashville Mandolin Ensemble

WSM is also recording the shows and will make them available on their web site for on demand streaming.

Catch Sam tonight at 7:00, or check out samples from Circles Around Me at sambush.com.

Bob offers detailed descriptions of the two instruments:

Monteleone Grand Artist No. 63, heavy wear on top on scroll and lower bout (naturally distressed by 28 years of playing). The finish is partially worn down to bare wood in these areas. No pickguard. Most of finish worn off the back of the neck. Housed in a green Pegasus case with green velvet lining. Label inside signed “John Monteleone” with serial number 63 written in blue ink.

2005 John Sullivan custom F. John did not put his name on the peghead, but it is stamped on the truss rod cover. No finish on neck. It is signed on the inside back “John Sullivan 2005.” Abbreviated pickguard. Has a double torch inlay on the headstock. Housed in a cream colored Pegasus case with green velvet lining.

Here are some photos he provided.

He has offered a reward of $1,000 to anyone who can help him retrieve these prized mandolins, and can be reached by phone (505-379-1732) or email.

During the month of October only, you can order any Colorado Case Company branded soft case, case cover or rigid case in pink.

We will then donate 25% of the base case price to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This money will be used to help find a cure for breast cancer through increased research and awareness.

In addition to this gorgeous pink color, we will be embroidering a pink ribbon on each case at no extra charge.

This offer is only valid through the end of October 2009. Full details online.

I never tried it myself, but know many pickers who swear by the practice, insisting that it helps new instruments open up faster, and offering a more balanced tone and response more quickly.

This is the concept behind ToneRite, a product developed by a trio of stringed instrument-playing engineers to provide a more direct, efficient method for accelerating this process.

The company was founded by Augi Lye, Ryan Frankel, and Hans Yeakel after Lye became frustrated that he didn’t have the time to play his new cello enough to break it in adequately. Augi had a background in acoustical physics, and enlisted Frankel (with his military signal processing expertise) and Yeakel (an industrial engineer) to assist in developing a product that could be demonstrated to deliver the goods.

Their first production model was debuted in 2007, and the new Luthier Model design was introduced at the IBMA convention last week.

The ToneRite sits atop, or rests against, the bridge of your instrument where it delivers a specific set of frequencies to the vibrating surfaces. The company’s testing indicates that a minimum of 72 hours of use on a new instrument generates dramatic results, and recommends 2 or 3 similar 72-hour treatments in the first few weeks.

Regular use for an hour prior to playing a few times each week is also recommended for maintaining the tone and responsiveness of an older instrument.

Grasstowne mandolinist Alan Bibey is a fan…

“The ToneRite supercharged my instruments to their max in volume and tone! One of the most useful new products I’ve seen in a really long time!”

ToneRite models are available for guitar, mandolin, violin, viola, cello and bass. Prices range from $150-$250.

Full details can be found on their web site.

Our good friend Doug McKelway conducted the interview. He and Sam spoke at length about Sam’s new CD, Circles Around Me. The CD is due to be released on October 20, on Sugar Hill Records. They also spoke about the digital age of music, recording a duet with Del McCoury, Sam’s place in the mandolin world, and more.

Thanks to Donica and all the folks at Sugar Hill Records for making this interview possible.

The interview lasted close to 15 minutes, and we’re bringing it to you in full. Enjoy…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sim hasn’t decided yet whether it will officially be dubbed the Adam Steffey Model, but that is what it will be no matter what its called. It’s the instrument Adam is playing now with The Dan Tyminski Band and you can have one just like it.

• Solid spruce top
• Premium curly maple back sides and neck
• Side and top fully bound with Ivoroid
• Flat fingerboard with small gauge fret-wire.
• 1” neck width (at the nut) with speed neck
• No fingerboard dots or headstock inlay (except “Daley” logo sat straight in headstock)
• Fingerboard abbreviated to the 18th fret
• Solid black face color with Crimean sunburst back, sides, neck and headstock
• Satin lacquer finish
• Waverly tuners and James tailpiece with nickel hardware

The new Steffey will sell for $8500 and orders placed now can be expected for delivery in 10-12 months.

Sim sent along a number of photos of the mandolin, and of Adam when he first came to pick it up.

But neither Bush nor Jarosz can be described simply – or even  primarily – as a mandolinist. Both are distinctive vocalists and multi-instrumentalists as well, and Bush’s place as a seminal figure in the development of newgrass is uncontested. Where a young artist like Jarosz will take the music will be an interesting story to watch this next however many years.

All that aside, Saturday’s program will allow both to showcase music from their new releases with listeners invited to draw, or ignore any comparisons they wish. Sam will have his mighty band in tow, and Sarah will do a couple with the PHC house band (plus Byron House on bass), and one on her own.

The broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN goes out live September 26 at 6:00 p.m. (EDT) over hundreds of public radio affiliates across the US. It will also be simulcast live online and on Sirius-XM.

Many radio affiliates delay the broadcast until later in the evening, or Sunday morning, so check your local station for air times.

We are hoping to get a behind-the-scenes report from Sarah later this weekend. Should be a whale of a show.

The CD, One More For the Road, was released on Tuesday and Sugar Hill and BMI have teamed up to sponsor a free live show at The Station Inn (September 24). It all starts at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) and if you won’t be in Nashville, WSM is broadcasting it live online.

Picking with him will be the Dan Tyminski Band as they highlight much of the material from Adam’s new album. Producer Barry Bales will be on bass, Ron Stewart on banjo, Justin Moses on fiddle, and Dan Tyminski on guitar – with Adam on mandolin, of course. Clay Hess, Randy Kohrs and Tina Steffey will also perform with the group.

The folks at Sugar Hill tell us that cold beer and finger food will be available at the Station, free of charge, starting at 6:00 Nashville time.

But we can’t all squeeze in to the friendly confines of the Station Inn, so the rest of us can check out the show on WSM, broadcasting at 650 AM, and online via live audio stream.

You can hear audio samples from the new CD in iTunes.

The winners of the contests have been announced via email, but are not currently featured on the festival website. We’ve included below the photos and info made available to us for several of the competitions most closely associated with bluegrass music.

2009 Walnut Valley Mandolin Champions

The Walnut Valley Mandolin Champions were just crowned here at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. There were 21 who played in this contest. Those 21 represented 18 different states as well as Japan and UK. The final five were from Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom. First place went to an 18 year old senior in high school from Canton, NC. Bryan McDowell seven years ago borrowed his sister’s mandolin and learned to play it. She just got married so he had to buy one of his own. He also plays fiddle and guitar and will enter these contests here at the Walnut Valley Festival. Josh Bailey from Victoria, TX took 2nd Place in this contest, the same as he did last year. Josh is currently working construction but hopes to attend college later. Josh is a member of the Bailey Family Band. Third place went to Rex Preston who was attending this year’s Walnut Valley Festival for the first time. While planning to attend the IBMA Conference he noticed the information on the Festival here in Winfield and thought “O what the heck ‚Ķ why not come and enter the mandolin contest.” Rex is a university student majoring in music and plays in a band called “The Scoville Units.”

2009 National Bluegrass Banjo Champions

There were thirteen contestants who played in the 2009 Walnut Valley Festival National Bluegrass Banjo competition. In addition those from the United States, there were two contestants from outside the US; one was from the United Kingdom and one was from Australia. When the cut to five was made, numbers were drawn again to see who would play first. The player who drew the number one was chosen the first place winner. It went to a former house painter now turned musician and banjo/guitar instructor. Steve Lewis hails from Todd, NC and he has been playing the banjo for some 34 years. He placed first in this contest in 2003 so he had to wait until this year to enter the contest again. Steve’s interests beside banjo, guitar and mandolin are hunting and fishing. Second place went and 18 year old from Regent, ND by the name of Ethan Waddington. When not playing banjo, Ethan works in the family’s tree service business. The Waddingtons came to the Walnut Valley Festival last year and their three sons wanted to come again. Mom and dad said they could come if Ethan would enter the banjo contest and so wanting to come to Winfield, Ethan entered the contest and now you know the outcome. Third place was awarded to none other than Sonny Smith of New Market, TN. Sonny is not a newcomer to this contest as he has entered it nine times. He won the contest in 1998, placed second in 1997 and 2008, and third in 1992 as well as this year. One of Sonny’s favorite things to do is to get out his metal detecting equipment and go searching for Civil War relics.

2009 National Flat Pick Guitar Champions

The National Flat Pick Guitar champions were crowned here at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS on the afternoon of September 19, 2009. In this contest there were 37 contestants from 19 states and from Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. When the cut to five was made the states of two from North Carolina, and one each from Utah, Virginia, and Tennessee. First place was won by Bryan McDowell of Canton, NC. Bryan is an 18-year old high school senior. Interestingly enough, Bryan also took first place in the Walnut Valley Mandolin contest and the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle contest. These contests were held on Friday. This is the first time one individual has placed first in three contests here at the Walnut Valley Festival in the same year. It is ironic that second and third places in this contest were won by close friends of Bryan’s.

It seems as though they all play in the same band called “Second Circle” Second place was won by Brandon Davis of Independence, VA. Brandon is an IT Specialist who placed 3rd in this competition in 2008. Third place was awarded to Eric Hardin of Warrensville, NC. Eric installs and finishes hardwood floors. Eric placed first in the banjo competition in Winfield in 2004. In the band they play with, Bryan plays fiddle, Brandon plays guitar and Eric plays banjo, but this goes to show you that they can play each others instruments too.

The Concerto will be featured starting tonight (9/17), with additional shows this weekend (9/18-20) at the Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The program will also include performances of Aaron Copland’s Suite from Billy The Kid, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and William Hill’s Four Movements Musical. Quite an evening of modern music.

Chris was interviewed yesterday at violinist.com about his new music…

“The piece is really all about me stretching myself, and thus the name, Ad astra per alas porci, which is Latin for ‘To the stars on the wings of a pig,’” Thile said. “It was Steinbeck’s personal motto, and he would always accompany it by saying, ‘I am earthbound, but aspiring.’ I love that. If that doesn’t describe the human condition, I don’t know what does. That’s what being a musician is all about to me, continually reaching out and trying to grasp things that are really sort of beyond me. Every now and then you get a little piece of it, and it just feels so good, it propels you forward, and you can grasp a little bit more the next time.”

I wondered if the concerto would sound like Bluegrass.

“No, I wouldn’t think,” Thile said. “Then again, it could strike someone who doesn’t have much in the way of Bluegrass background as having some of that flavor to it.”

“I’m just a bad judge of that kind of thing, because it all sounds the same to me, really, as far as the way I’m evaluating music at this point,” Thile said. “An A chord is an A chord, whether it’s Bluegrass or whether through some crazy pattern, Berg hits an A chord, it’s still an A chord. It’s the same thing, there’s no difference. The differences are all purely aesthetic, not structural. So I’m kind of a bad person to ask about that.”

You can read the full interview at violinist.com.

The Colorado Symphony program describes the genesis of Thile’s Concerto thusly:

The commission for the Mandolin Concerto arose because Chris Thile especially wanted to play a work with a symphony orchestra. This work combines the traditions of the concerto created by a virtuoso performer for his own use, and that of the composer who takes musical elements traditionally regarded as coming from “outside” sources, especially folk or traditional music. Over the years Chris Thile has not only absorbed bluegrass music and a large repertory of classical music as well, but he has been open to an incredibly wide range of musical styles as well and has made use of them in his concerto. Rather than fusing two types of music into a “stew” that contains “lumps” of the original styles mixed together, he aims to bring together a wider range of musical ideas‚Äî”of completely ambiguous origin,” he says‚Äîmore fully assimilated, so that the result is more of a “soup” than a stew.

The Mandolin Concerto is also scheduled for the following performances:

• Oregon Symphony – September 26, 2009
• Alabama Symphony – October 29, 2009
• Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – January 23-24, 2010
• Winston-Salem Symphony – March 13, 14, 16, 2010
• Delaware Symphony – March 19-20, 2010
• Portland Symphony – March 28, 2010

Valentine’s Fall is the latest offering from Canadian Cary Fagan, an award-winning author of children’s books, whose non-fiction writing and commentary also appears in a number of Canadian papers. He has authored a number of books for older readers as well, but this will be his first with a bluegrass twist.

The book, due October 1 from Cormorant Books, tells the story of Huddie Rosen, whose high school life is marred by the death of his best friend in a foolish stunt (Valentine’s Fall), and who discovers a love for bluegrass music when he moves from Toronto to live in Tennessee.

I would say that the author captures much of the spirit of the music in this brief passage from the book, inspired by hearing a recording of Bill Monroe playing Get Up John at the first Fincastle Bluegrass Festival in 1965:

“Monroe’s mandolin is backed only by Peter Rowan on guitar. His playing is very fast but not blistering, a cascade of vibrating rhythm, of changing doublestops and open drone strings, of the sound both delicate and rough that he could draw from his 1924 Gibson Lloyd Loar mandolin. He plays a series of variations, making the rhythm surge here, hang back there, suddenly thrashing his pick in successive downstrokes, touching the high harmonic note like a bell. It’s just the most alive, most human sound I have ever heard. You can feel the energy pouring from his hands into that small instrument. It’s as if he could go on for ever or might begin to falter, but he does neither, he makes the music rise like a wave, hold there, and then, in a touching anticlimax, quit. It would be like Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations or Pablo Casals’s Cello Suites if they had written what they were playing.

The thing about music is that you can trust it. It’s emotionally reliable. Playing or listening, it gives you what you need, when you need it. A lot of the time, that has seemed like enough to me. But it isn’t enough. That’s what I have sometimes failed to remember.”

Here’s a brief video synopsis of the story…

Click here to view the embedded video.

They have a show tonight near the Tennessee/Kentucky border, and will be stopping off at The Square Room in Knoxville at noon for a live broadcast on WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. You can listen over the air at 102.9, or via live streaming from WDVX.com.

Sierra also shared a few words about her move to Boston and studying at Berklee.

“So far, Boston has been treating me great! I just had my first week of classes at Berklee and really enjoyed them. I’m starting to know my way around pretty well now and have met so many really talented musicians already. It’s really neat to be in an environment that is totally merged in music, and I really feel like I’m going to learn a lot there. The faculty and staff have been so good to me, and I really feel supported here in regards to keeping a busy tour schedule, which makes me very happy!

I’ve been up there for almost two weeks now, and this is my second weekend out gigging since being there. Last weekend we were in North Carolina and New Jersey. One thing I quickly realized is that I shouldn’t be afraid of being exposed to so many different types of music. Part of me sometimes worries that being around so many things can really have an effect on what you think you love or what your dreams truly are. It was a cool experience for me to leave Berklee after being there for a week surrounded by so many diverse styles of music and go to a bluegrass festival. Upon pulling unto the festival grounds and hearing a band on stage in the background it was like I became so excited and just full of contentment. It was nice to get that special feeling of… this is what I love and who I am, and I’m happy to be that.

We are in Tennessee this weekend, which is wonderful. That’s the fun thing about being able to still tour some… I’m lucky enough to be home more often. We will be playing in Knoxville early on Friday for WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. Then we’ll be at the Wings Over Big South Fork air show in Oneida, TN later that night, and then Saturday brings us to my hometown – Byrdstown, TN – for the Sierra Hull Festival that they put on every year. It’ll be great to go home and see all my friends and family!! It’s been a busy summer, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Del Rey and Will Hoge will also appear on today’s Blue Plate Special.

Buddy is a special jewel within the bluegrass firmament. Not only is he a traditionalist at heart, but also an innovator. Something I think Monroe would have been proud of. In addition to his fine mandolin playing, Buddy has contributed to the bluegrass world by mentoring a number of currently rising stars. Andy Falco, of the Infamous Stringdusters, spent time learning bluegrass music in Buddy’s band, Buddy Merriam & Back Roads. Chris Eldridge, Chris Pandolfi, Josh Williams, and others, have all been influenced by Buddy. Opened his room to late night jam sessions and simply hanging out with these young players, Buddy has mentored them in the ways of bluegrass.

When Buddy talks about bluegrass, mandolin, or Bill Monroe, you would be wise to listen.

And when he plays…well listen still, and enjoy!

This new CD, Back Roads Mandolin, bears a strong traditional bluegrass tone, but Buddy doesn’t limit himself. He introduces the sounds of waltzes, gypsy jazz, and polka. The CD closes with a haunting, but lively, tribute to the late Butch Baldassari. The tune is appropriately named Baldassari.

Buddy’s fellow band members all take part in contributing to the well rounded bluegrass sound of this CD. Ernie Sykes (bass), Jerry Oland (5-string banjo), Bob Harris (guitar), and Gary Oleyar (fiddles), are all present, along with appearances by Jeff Schmich on harmony mandolin, and Mike Sassano on mandola, mandocello and harmony mandolin.

Buddy described the CD this way.

Along with the hard core mandolin tunes there is a Waltz that features the 5 string (Jerry Oland), a polka that features the guitar (Bob Harris) and a twin fiddle tune (Gary Oleyar). I wrote one to the memory of Butch Baldassari with the mandolin family instruments(mandola & mandocello) entitled “Baldassari”.

In addition to the new CD, Buddy tells me that his first mandolin book has been revised in a new edition, with 30 tunes and tablature, as well as standard music notation. The book is almost ready for publication, and Buddy intends to begin work on volume 2 as soon as this new edition is out. The new book will contain all new tunes from several of his more recent recordings.

Back Roads Mandolin is great CD of original, yet traditional, bluegrass instrumentals. It is mando-centric, but all the instruments get their time in the spotlight, including lead guitar (I guess it’s only so traditional!). Buddy’s traditional style and great tone come through loud and clear, the band is tasteful, the arrangements are appropriate on each tune, and the twin fiddle stuff is great.

If you like traditional bluegrass instrumentals, I would suggest you check out Back Roads Mandolin.

Sam had told us that it was one that his bluegrass and newgrass fans would really appreciate, and he wasn’t kidding. Other than the subtle percussion from Sam’s regular drummer, Chris Brown, this is pretty much a bluegrass record – and Bush has quite a bluegrass group lurking underneath his rock-edged road band.

Through all 14+ tracks, Scott Vestal shows why he has been held in such high regard by banjo players these many years, initially as a hard-driving Scruggs/Baucom/Crowe picker with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and later as an envelope-pusher with his own recordings. On Circles his playing is simply brilliant, as is Stephen Mougin’s tasteful acoustic guitar. Byron House has been a bass player’s, bass player for years, and he delivers solid timing with a huge tone – as always.

Sam is in fine voice, and the production is transparent, leaving the sound of the acoustic instruments to ring true with very little compression or effects. He is featured most prominently on mandolin, and Del McCoury even joins in for a couple of duets. Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer also appear as guests. Courtney Johnson even makes a posthumous appearance in a banjo/fiddle duet recorded in 1976.

We hope to be able to stream some audio from this terrific CD soon, but in the meantime, here’s Sam with a few words about when you can get your own copy…

Click here to view the embedded video.