 |
|
Shannon Slaughter & County Clare
Shannon Slaughter & County Clare
He (Shannon) possesses a fluid, natural guitar style that matches his voice perfectly: great tone, phrasing and dynamics in both. This is a musical cat right here.....Shannon and Heather make a team that most can only dream about--just listen to "You're My Music" and see if you don't agree. The band sound is tight and driving, underpinned by Shannon's great rhythm guitar. He's one of the great rhythm players in bluegrass today--the kind whose rhythm just fits, propelling everything without overshadowing.
I'm sure there will be lots of great bluegrass recordings released this year, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better one than The Sideman Steps Out.
- Tim Stafford / Blue Highway
Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
Winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s
prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003, the Kenny
and Amanda Smith Band combines gutsy, heartfelt vocals,
brilliant instrumental talents and a powerful, contemporary
sense of song choice and arrangement into one of the most
compelling new sounds in bluegrass today. Born of the intensely
personal musical and romantic connection between Kenny and
Amanda Smith, the band shares an all-too rare sense of intimacy
and cohesion where each musician feels an almost telepathic
connection. Musicians call it being in the groove, where the
group collectively accents each beat in precisely the same way.
Whatever it’s called, this band has it in spades. Originally
from Nine Mile, IN, Kenny Smith is widely considered one of the
most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of
his generation. A two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year award
winner, his professional credits include 6 years with the
popular Lonesome River Band and an exceptional solo CD,
Studebaker, released on Sugar Hill Records in 1997.
Florida State Bluegrass Band
Florida State Bluegrass Band
Ernie Evans and The Florida State Bluegrass Band represent what fans expect from Bluegrass Music today.
In a world of division between contemporary and traditional styles, few bands can adequately bridge the two without sounding like a traditional band trying to sound contemporary band or vise versa. Evans and company handle this department very well and gained a strong reputation by being capable. Another advantage for this group has been their strong vocal presence and overall delivery in their stage show.
The Little Roy and Lizzy Show
One of the most entertaining groups in bluegrass music today is The Little Roy and Lizzy Show. Hailing from Lincolnton, Georgia, this enjoyable duo and their band are well-known in the worlds of both bluegrass and Gospel music for their musical skills and comedic stage show. With their latest release, Lord in the Morning, out on Pisgah Ridge Records, Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long have put together an album with a traditional feel which draws deeply from the sounds of both Southern and bluegrass Gospel.
Find out more at:http://littleroyandlizzy.com/
The Skip Cherryholmes Quintet
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Skip began playing music at the age of 9. His family started the band Cherryholmes, moved to Nashville, Tennessee and became one of the most hard-driving bluegrass bands in the industry.
Find out more at:http://www.skipcherryholmesquintet.com/scquintet/Home.html
The Roys
Bluegrass music is a unique art form that is as much about feel and instinct as it is technique. Blending proficiency and passion into a musically intoxicating package, The Roys make their debut with LONESOME WHISTLE ( Rural Rhythm Records) , a spirited set that showcases the siblings' stellar vocals, taut musicianship and enviable songwriting skills
Find out more at: The Roys