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CUMBERLAND GAP CONNECTION A WHOLE LOTTA LONESOME Kindred Records KR 83721 This new CD from the group primarily features the songwriting talents of guitarist Mike Bently. Other members include Rod Smith (banjo), Clint Hurd (mandolin), and Bryan Russell (bass). Smith and Russell also contribute material to the project, and guest artists include Steve and Debbie…

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER DRIVE TIME Mountain Home Music MH-13452 In recent years, versatile multi-instrumentalist bandleader Doyle Lawson, whose bluegrass roots run back a half-century, has emerged as one of the music’s most revered elder statesmen. Like his distinguished contemporary J.D. Crowe, Lawson has always had the flexibility and willingness to adjust the dynamics of…

FERRELL STOWE PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO: JOSH No Label SSPC00003 Josh Graves was the resonator guitar player of his era, dominating throughout his tenure with Flatt & Scruggs starting in 1955 and into the late ’70s and arguably beyond. When you said “Dobro” in those days, you thought “Graves,” much as many today think “Douglas.” Ferrell…

FLETCHER BRIGHT AND THE DISMEMBERED TENNESSEANS WITH THE STRINGS OF THE CHATTANOOGA SYMPHONY AND OPERA BLACK TIE AND BLUEGRASS No Label No Number To know Fletcher Bright is to love him. The Chattanooga entrepreneur has had a side career playing fiddle with the Dismembered Tennesseans for over fifty years—with the same banjo player, Ed “Doc”…

GRASSTOWNE KICKIN’ UP DUST Rural Rhythm RUR-1076 Grasstowne enters a new era with its third release. Two of the band’s original members—resonator guitarist Phil Leadbetter and banjoist Jason Davis—have left the band. For the first time, there will be no resonator guitar player, and long-time fans may find themselves waiting for breaks that never appear….

MICHAEL CLEVELAND AND FLAMEKEEPER FIRED UP Rounder Records 11-681 0659-2 It’s always a treat to kick back and put on a new Michael Cleveland album. He’s a multiple award winner that lives up to the bill and then some, a unique fiddler who even plays rhythm his own way with the traditional, polite fiddle rhythm…