Sam Bush has created a series of videos to highlight the music from his new Sugar Hill CD, Circles Around Me. Produced by Craig Havighurst of String Theory Media, they feature Sam and his talented band performing music from the CD live in the studio, recorded at Cowboy Jack Clement’s studio in Nashville.

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. (more…)

Banjo picker, producer and studio owner Scott Vestal has happy news to share.

He and his wife Alice welcomed a son yesterday (3/26), born at 7:32 p.m. (EDT). Scott tells us that they haven’t yet chosen a name, but that mom, son and big sister Rosa are all happy, healthy and hale.

He weighed in at 9 lb, 3 oz.

UPDATE 3/28 – Scott tells us that they have selected a name: Aaron Granville Vestal.

Randy Kohrs’ record label, Left of Center Records, is soon to release a new resophonic guitar CD entitled, Hornography.

Hornography serves as a tribute to resophonic guitar luthier, Tim Scheerhorn. Kohrs is joined on the CD by an all star line up of Scheerhorn players.

The CD was recorded at Kohrs’ award winning studio, Slack Key Studio. Each track was produced by the featured musician, each of whom brought their own band to project. Spanning multiple genres, including classical, blues, jazz, and bluegrass, the CD is primarly instrumental (Kohrs contributes the only two vocal cuts) and revolves around instruments build the luthier whose name the project adopts.

Track 1 on the CD is Rob Ickes performing the Monroe classic, Wheel Hoss. Musicians on this cut include: Dave Pomeroy, Ron Block, Andy Leftwich, Adam Steffey, and Aaron McDaris.

Randy tells us the CD will be released before Christmas, and that he will have 200 advance copies available at the upcoming ResoSummit in mid-November.

Players featured on the CD are:

• Randy Kohrs
• Rob Ickes
• Andy Hall
• Justin Moses
• Todd Livingston
• Bruce Bouton
• Billy Cardine
• Scott Vestal ‚Äì playing the only Scheerhorn banjo
• Mike Witcher
• Shannon Hayes ‚Äì playing a rare Scheerhorn acoustic dreadnought guitar
• Lee Hiers
• Jimmy Ross
• Lou Wamp
• Sally Van Meter
• Jack Ferguson
• Tim Scheerhorn himself

After a trip to Florida this weekend, Grasstowne will be heading into the studio to get started on their second CD.

Resonator guitarist Phil Leadbetter tells us that they have new songs from fellow band members Steve Gulley and Alan Bibey, plus songwriters Wayne Winkle and Elmer Burchett.

All recording will be done at Scott Vestal’s Digital Underground Studio near Nashville – where they also recorded their debut CD, The Road Headin’ Home.

Phil also suggested that they may release this new project with a bonus DVD.

A release date of June 19, 2009 has been set by Pinecastle Records.