NASHVILLE, TN. (International Bluegrass
Music Associations) - The Grascals, the International Bluegrass
Music Associations's (IBMA) reigning Emerging Artist of the Year, will release Long List of Heartaches, the follow-up to their 2005 Grammy-nominated, self-titled debut album, on August 29. Featuring guest performances by Dierks Bentley,
George Jones, the Jordanaires and Steve Wariner, the CD further defines the group's stylistic blend of traditional bluegrass and country sounds. Like their first album, Long List of Heartaches was produced by The Grascals-Terry Eldredge and Jamie Johnson on lead vocals and guitar, Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle,
Danny Roberts on mandolin, Terry Smith on bass and harmony vocals, and
David Talbot on banjo and harmony vocals. The album includes 13 tracks, showcasing the band's pristine vocal harmonies and virtuoso musicianship.
Left to right: The Grascals' Jimmy Mattingly and Danny Roberts, engineer Patrick Murphy, Dierks Bentley and Jake, The Grascals' Terry Smith and Terry Eldredge.
The Grascals create a new classic country weeper with the Kim Williams/Jerry Laseter/Buddy Brock song, 'Don't Tell Mama,' about the consequences of drinking and driving. The song features the inimitable instrumental prowess of Lloyd Green on pedal steel guitar and Hargus 'Pig' Robbins on piano. Joining the band in the studio for a chilling recitation on the song's third verse is the legendary George Jones.
Dierks Bentley, a long-time fan and friend of The Grascals' Terry Eldredge, brings his sense of humor to Harley Allen's 'Being Me,' swapping verses with Eldredge on the light-hearted romp about a man torn between devil and angel. Allen, who penned The Grascals' IBMA Song of the Year 'Me and John and Paul,' is also a co-writer with Steve Wariner on 'Hoedown in Motown,' a fast-paced testament to the benefits of bringing a taste of Dixie to Motor City. Wariner puts his mark on the song with fleet-fingered acoustic guitar picking.
'My Night to Howl,' another spirited call to fun, was written by Aubrey Holt, a friend and former band member with Jamie Johnson in the Boys from Indiana. Showing his versatility, Holt also penned 'Did You Forget God Today'-a call to prayer and introspection. The song features the legendary Jordanaires, who met The Grascals earlier this year and performed with them on the Grand Ole Opry, stepping to the mic and adding their signature vocal harmonies.
The Grascals' respect for tradition is fully evident in their version of 'Hard Times,' originally recorded by the band's musical heroes, the Osborne Brothers, and included in The Grascals' set for CMT's Studio 330 Sessions last year. Steve Wariner suggested that the group record Merle Haggard's 'You Don't Have Very Far to Go,' recalling a time when he had performed it on the Opry with Lloyd Green. Green steps in on this recording with his uniquely finessed steel playing. Also included are 'Roll Muddy River,' another Osborne Brothers tune which has been a staple in The Grascals' live show, and Paul Craft's plaintive, confessional 'Keep Me From Blowing Away,' which was previously recorded by the Osborne Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Seldom Scene, among others. And, the band adds their take on the Lester Flatt/Bill Monroe classic, 'Will You Be Lovin' Another Man.'
'Home,' a tribute to both the earthly and heavenly, was written by Candace Randolph, a long-time friend of Terry Eldredge, who began her career in the family band, the Lost Kentuckians.
The band contributes two original songs to the set. Jamie Johnson, who wrote 'Mourning Dove' and 'Where I Come From' on the band's debut, wrote the title track with Matt Lindsey and Rich Wayland. The band's take on the song is stylistically somewhere between Buck Owens and Jimmy Martin. The instrumental 'Cut Your Wheels,' written by Jimmy Mattingly, Danny Roberts and David Talbot, allows each of the band members to shine. The title comes from an _expression often used by Bill Monroe when overseeing the skills of his bus driver.
The Grascals performed last week at the Martha White Bluegrass Series at the Ryman, earning a rousing standing ovation that called them back to the stage for an encore. Their performance during CMA Music Festival in June earned praise in USA Today as a standout set. They performed on the Grand Ole Opry on July 4 and 7 and will return on July 21. Other upcoming shows include the Tazewell County Fiddlers' Convention (July 14), Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (July 15), Musicians Against Childhood Cancer/Bluegrass Classic (July 27), Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival (July 29), New River Valley Fair (August 3), Fast Grass Bluegrass Festival (August 5), Milan Bluegrass Festival (August 11) Central Virginia Bluegrass Festival (August 18), Cherokee Bluegrass Festival (August 19), Mountain Days Festival (August 20), Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival (August 25) and Pickin' in the Pasture (August 26).
