If There’s a Will There’s A Way

Harry Carpenter “Junior” Sisk, who has been penning, playing and singing songs modeled in the truest fashion of traditional bluegrass music for many years, has brought us another great record. Known for his tremendous vocals and locomotive sound, Sisk is sure to please the diehard purist. His 2020 album Load the Wagon, won the IBMA award for album of the year. He has also written classics for the Lonesome River Band like “Game (I Can’t Win)” and “Tears are Blinding Me.”

Sisk is in good company with the Junior Sisk Band, a group packed with multi-instrumental talent. Heather Berry Mabe is a bonafide picker and singer herself, backing up Sisk and taking lead vocals on “Bluegrass Country.” Heather’s spouse Tony Mabe Jr. picks the banjo and provides backing vocals as well. Johnathan Dillon is picking the mandolin and also receives honorable mention in the band’s bio as being indispensable on the road both professionally and as a bus driver/mechanic. You wouldn’t guess that this is Curt Love’s first full time gig as a bassist, and Tim Crouch lends his fiddling expertise as well.

Ricky Skaggs graces the album with a heartfelt rendition of Carter Stanley’s “Memories of Mother” and Dan Tyminski appears on “A Man Like Me.” The title track, “If There’s A Will There’s A Way,” is a personal favorite of Sisk, written by James Raleigh and giving the listener some sage advice. There’s certainly a theme present throughout the entire album of perseverance through life challenges and sorrows, something we can all relate to. The beautiful, clear vocals are fresh as a spring morning and with a crisp, driving rhythmic groove to match. This is great music for the traveler, or someone who wants to take a trip without going anywhere at all.

With his long and distinguished track record, we all expect great things from Junior Sisk.  He’s helped to keep the fire burning bright in the spirit of not only traditional bluegrass but great American music, period.