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THE HILLBENDERS Compass Records 747212 After ten years together, The Hillbenders should have a pretty good idea of what they want to accomplish as a band. But given that this CD (their fourth overall) is their first since their unique tribute to The Who’s rock opera Tommyin 2015, it makes sense for them to circle the…

TURNING GROUND OLD COUNTRY STORE Bonfire Recording Co. BRC5004 Built on the voice and guitar of Nathan Arnett, this band includes Ralph Adams (guitar), Kayla Amburgey (bass), Josh Cantrell (banjo), Evan Maynard (mandolin), and Albon Clevenger (fiddle). They all dive into the music and drive it with a determined kind of soul. But what else…

GREGG WELTY COMMUNITY No Label No Number    Community, eh? Well, there’s a hot time in this old town tonight. North Carolina-born (and Pittsburgh-based) banjo picker (and medical student) Gregg Welty has followed up on his 2015 debut album Memoirwith what he bills as, “The largest collaborative bluegrass project ever recorded.” In between his studies and performing…

HOG-EYED MAN OLD WORLD MUSIC OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS Old-Time Tiki Parlour 013    This is the fourth CD from Hog-Eyed Man, which is the duo of Jason Cade on fiddle and Rob McMaken on lap dulcimer, mandolin, and guitar. On their third CD, they added two friends on banjo, second fiddle, and guitar. On this…

TELLICO WOVEN WATERS Organic Records OR17822 This is the second release by this intriguing quartet from Asheville, N.C. Their centerpiece is the distinctive voice of guitarist Anya Hinkle, who is also the principal songwriter for the band. That voice is ably matched by the harmonies and occasional lead of bassist Greg Stiglets and the interweaving…

JOSH GRIGSBY AND COUNTY LINE LOVE, LIFE AND MISERY No Label No Number This Virginia band is one singing bunch. They have great vocals and good taste in material. Opening with Michael Martin Murphy’s “Carolina In The Pines,” they cover a bevy of great songs, such as “Trains I’ve Missed,” “The Old Cross Roads,” “Lonesome…