Knoxville, TN based Brand New Strings has hired Matt Leadbetter to play resonator guitar with the group, bringing them back up to five pieces.

Matt had been working with Marty Raybon, and prior to that, with Lonesome River Band. Knoxville is his home town, so this was an easy move for him to make.

Brand New Strings is made up of Randall Massengill on guitar, Tim Tipton on bass, Mike Ramsey on mandolin, Stuart Wyrick on banjo, and now, Leadbetter on resonator. All five members sing, with Randall and Mike taking the lead vocal chores.

You can find audio samples and their show schedule on the band’s MySpace page.

We just got a note from Uncle Phil – Phil Leadbetter, that is – dobro man with Grasstowne, and proud papa of fellow resonator guitarist Matt Leadbetter.

We reported over the weekend that Matt had left Lonesome River Band, largely to spend more time at home with his wife and young son. Phil wanted to let us know that Matt just took the gig with Marty Raybon & Full Circle.

“Marty’s schedule and logistics seemed to work better with Matt. He had a wonderful time with the LRB, and it was a very hard decision to leave. He is looking forward to the new page in his career with Marty Raybon.”

Matt is actually a third generation bluegrass picker. Not only is his dad a prominent professional picker, his grandfather John Leadbetter was a banjo player.

Must be something in the water…

We heard last night from Phil Leadbetter (dobro man with Grasstowne), that his son Matt (dobro man with Lonesome River Band) and his wife Heather welcomed their first child yesterday.

“Houston Philip Lee Leadbetter weighed in at 7lb and 2oz. He was 21 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing well. This is also my very first grand child. We are very happy with the new edition!!”

So… I guess that Uncle Phil is now Grandpa Phil? I wonder if he has already purchased a pacifier shaped like a dobro steel.

Just after getting this news from Phil, I happened to catch the episode of The Andy Griffith Show where the Darling family came down from the mountain to pledge Charlene’s newborn daughter for a future marriage. It occurred to me that, with all these new bluegrass babies being born, perhaps there may be a plot afoot to promise these young un’s for future supergroups.

The labels must be behind it.

Congratulations to all the happy Leadbetters!