THE CLINTON GREGORY BLUEGRASS BAND, ROOTS OF MY RAISING

THE CLINTON GREGORY BLUEGRASS BAND
ROOTS OF MY RAISING

Melody Roundup Music
No Number

I love the smooth vocals and high tenor leads found in bluegrass music. But, I also love to hear singing that has a little grit and soulfulness. That’s the case with the vocal stylings of Clinton Gregory, which he gets to display on his latest album Roots Of My Raising.

Gregory is probably best known for his excellent fiddle work. A fifth generation fiddler, he took his talent to Nashville where he found some success, performing with many top artists and appearing on the Grand Ole Opry over thirty times. But, the music business eventually chewed him up and spit him out and, by the 1990s, he lost his record deal and more. On top of all of that, there were personal problems that added fuel to the fire. So, Gregory took a break from music. As Gregory says in his own words, “I lost everything four or five times. I lost my family, home, and car all in one day.” Those experiences, however rough they may be, can make for true inspiration if channeled correctly, and this album is proof of that notion. What’s cool about this project is how it came together, as in it was the result of an enthusiastic jam that happened up on a mountain one night.

Produced by Scott Vestal and Jamie Creasy, the album finds Gregory’s fine voice expertly blended with the sweet harmony singing of Doug Flowers, who also plays mandolin. And, Gregory’s fine fiddling is backed by Vestal, Scott Terry, and Harold Roper as they rip into a collection of classic bluegrass songs ranging from “How Mountain Girls Can Love” to “Katy Hill.” (www.melodyroundupmusic.com.)DH