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BEN FREED AMERICAN IDLE No Label No Number Does an opening song necessarily announce the intent of an album? Not always, but “American Idle Hornpipe” from Ben Freed’s American Idle CD definitely sets the tone for the rest of this all-original instrumental project. First, we hear Ben’s banjo and Kenny Kosek’s fiddle playing an intricate…

CHASING BLUE No Label No Number The promotional material accompanying this debut CD by the New England quintet Chasing Blue emphasizes their youth. But while the band consists of Berklee School Of Music students and one recent graduate, their talent and poise give an ageless quality to this short six-track release. Built around original songs,…

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”…