Heroes And Friends
This veteran East Tennessee banjo maestro has performed and toured with just about everyone over the years, including, for starters, the Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Marty Raybon and Tim Raybon. And he’s gained a slew of friends and admirers along the way.
He’s called upon many of these friends while producing his star-studded debut album, which really is a superb collection with all the distinguished contributors put to good use.
Just a few of Grindstaff’s guests are Dolly Parton, Rhonda and Darren Vincent, Jimmy Fortune, Shawn Lane, Trey Hensley and Andy Leftwich.
Parton and Brewster duet on a grassified rendition of “Forever Young,” a rock-pop anthem popularized by Rod Stewart a while back. Leftwich (mandolin) and Hensley (guitar) shine on the accompaniment, as does Grindstaff himself on banjo.
Jimmy Fortune, with harmony assists from the Vincents, delivers a delightfully old-timey rendition of Buddy Starcher’s lovelorn “I Still Write Your Name in the Sand.”
Trey Hensley, with Grindstaff on harmonies, turns in a similarly rousing cover of “Looking at the World Through a Windshield,” a ’60s truck driving song first popularized by Del Reeves.
The album includes several stalwart instrumentals—including “Finnland” and “Three Arrows,” a pair of Grindstaff originals—where the banjoist showcases his prowess both as an accompanist and as a lead player, “dueling” with his A-team collaborators.
Doyle Lawson sits in on mandolin for a fine instrumental reprise of the PD number “Jesse James,” accompanied by Josh Doss on guitar, Stephen Burwell on fiddle and Kent Blanton on bass.
