We just received a copy of the new CD from Steve Smith and Hard Road, Only So Fast.

I’ve known Steve since we were both young students of bluegrass music in eastern Virginia back in the late 1970s, and have followed his music since we parted ways with his move to New Mexico in the mid ’80s. He has made quite a name for himself as a mandolinist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, as a solo artist, with Hard Road and now as a member of The Alan Munde Gazette.

This time out, Steve’s own compositions are mixed with compositions (and co-writes) from band mates Chris Sanders (vocals), Elijah Copeland (bass) and Wayne Shrubsall (banjo).

Other members of Hard Road include Bob Hull on guitar and Nate Lee on fiddle with Smith on mandolin, guitar and vocals.

Audio samples from Only So Fast can be found on CD Baby.

In the midst of all the announcements of new bands and changing personnel that have been made this year, there is one that we have yet to mention. After 8 years, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines have decided to call an end to their performing together as a duo. Both will continue to tour and record as members of The Claire Lynch Band, but Jim and Missy both felt that the time commitments with Claire, and their other side projects, simply left them with too little time for too many projects.

Missy has a new band with whom she will perform as time allows. She’s calling it Missy Raines & The New Hip, a play on words relating to her recent surgery - and the youth of her bandmates. They are working now on a debut CD project and some audio is available on their MySpace page, along with their limited tour schedule.

Jim will be dedicating some more time to teaching at workshops and clinics, and doing some duo shows with Steve Smith. Jim’s schedule is listed on his web site.

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Steve Smith, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, will be bringing his music - and his band, Hard Road - back east for a number of shows in February 2006. Steve is a native of eastern Virginia, and adept at interpreting a variety of bluegrass and traditional folk music styles, as showcased on his four solo CD projects.

Steve is a popular solo artist in the southwest, and is often chosen as an instructor at major mandolin camps and workshops. He is joined in Hard Road by Bob Hull on guitar, Elijah Copeland on bass, Chris Sanders on vocals, and Wayne Shrubsall on banjo. Smith is mandolinist with the group.

They will be doing concerts in MD, WV and VA during the first week of February. Details can be found on Steve’s web site.

MP3 audio files from a number of Steve’s recordings can also be found on his web site.

The Jim Hurst Bluegrass Band is preparing for a ten day tour of Ireland in early October. Traveling with Jim for this tour are Steve Smith on mandolin, Scott Anderson on banjo, and Jim’s son Brandon Hurst on bass. Stops on this Irish tour include:

More details on the Jim Hurst Bluegrass Band Ireland tour here.