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Six-piece bluegrass band The Grascals
are a highly talented group of Nashville based pickers,
singers and writers who spent three good years accompanying
each other in the studio and on stage. This gave them
a great insight into how each of their talents work together,
while the vocalists created a trademark three part fusion.
Favourites of Dolly Parton, The Grascals opened all dates
for her "Hello Dolly" tour in 2004 and several
of her "Vintage" tour 2005.
The band members are made up of Terry
Eldredge - lead and harmony vocals, rhythm guitar; Jamie
Johnson - lead and harmony vocals, rhythm guitar; Jimmy
Mattingly - fiddle; Danny Roberts - mandolin; Terry Smith
- upright bass, harmony vocals and David Talbot - banjo,
harmony vocals. In 2005 The Grascals made quite a splash
when they release their debut self titled album, earning
them critical praise and a slew of industry awards. They
included the International Bluegrass Music Association
naming them Emerging Artist of the Year. The IBMA also
voted the number "Me and John and Paul" Song
of the Year as did the Society for the
Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America in 2006. They
also bestowed on the band awards for Album of the Year
and Instrumental Group of the Year. Band member Danny
Roberts was named (SPBGMA) mandolin Player of the Year,
while the album received a Grammy nomination.
Long List Of
Heartaches is the sophomore offering from the Grascals
staying true to their traditional bluegrass style and
embraces a little country style with George Jones being
featured on the country weepy "Don't
Tell Mama" telling of a young man who lies
dying after loosing control of his pickup while drinking
and driving. Nashville hot favourite Dierks Bentley joins
Terry Eldredge in a bluegrass duet with Harley Allen's
"Being Me". Although
chiefly known as a country singer, Steve Wariner is also
a top-guitarist and joins the band on "Hoedown
In Motown" a song that he co-wrote with Harley
Allen. Other notables include The Jordanaires, steel guitarist
Lloyd Green and Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano.
A tight band of musicians, the Grascals
offer 13 tracks in all on Long List
Of Heartaches. Be it traditional bluegrass numbers
such as the banjo and fiddle driving "Will
You Be Loving Another Man" (Bill Monroe/Lester
Flatt) from 1946, "Hard Times"
and "Roll Muddy River"
recorded by the Osborne Brothers in the mid-60's or their
own adaptation of the country favourite "You
Don't Have Very Far To Go" (Merle Haggard/Red
Simpson), you don't get better than this!!!
A group of 'A' list musicians, the
vocals soar high and the choice of numbers is greatly
appealing whether you're a bluegrass fan or like a more
country flavour. Feel the passion as this top-draw band
take each and every number and make it their own!!! The
Grascals have another winning formula with Long
List Of Heartaches.
Graham Lees January 2007
website www.grascals.com
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