Craig Havighurst

Stepping away from a successful band and into a solo career is a tried-and-true pathway for many bluegrass stars, and few in recent years have said farewell to such a good gig but garnered so much acclaim and stature in return as mandolinist, singer and songwriter Darren Nicholson. The North Carolinian did 15 years as a founding member of Balsam Range, where he shared in a bunch of IBMA Awards, including two for Entertainers of the Year and two for Album of the Year. Then at the end of 2022, he made his departure official and launched with the album Wanderer in 2023. We’ve played a bunch of singles on the way to his newest release as a leader, Lonesome Trails And Tall Tales. On release week, we open with its luxurious waltzing lament, “I’ve Got No Tears Left To Cry.” Also this week, the first single from the upcoming album by another Carolinian, Laurelyn Dossett, the rising west-coast trio Sweet Sally, and a block of songs inspired by Amy Alvey’s long journey to the Shetland Islands Folk Festival.

It seemed like a good time to spotlight some of the best bluegrass, old-time and folk albums from Nashville and nearby that have been released so far this year. Craig reviews key acoustic recordings by Thomm Jutz, Jarrod Walker, Paper Wings, Sierra Hull, Daniel Grindstaff, Ed Snodderly, Jim Hurst and the second collaborative record by Jim Lauderdale and the Po' Ramblin' Boys. All can be heard on The Old Fashioned, airing Saturdays at 9 am and Tuesdays at 8 pm.

My first “bluegrass” album wasn’t really bluegrass but a duet of acoustic guitars and voices on old folk and mountain songs by Tony Rice and Norman Blake. That intimate combo blew me away and kind of changed my life. The format isn’t common but a new duo is embracing it, and they are Geary Allen (of the Burnett Sisters) and John Gooding (of the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys) performing as Geary and John. We’re pleased to present their debut single, “Just Too Lazy,” from an upcoming album on Mountain Fever Records. The Steep Canyon Rangers launch our hour with a new single from what they’re calling a back-to-our-roots album that will be called Next Act, coming May 22. From working man folk territory, check out The Brudi Brothers and their fisherman song called “Silver Wave.” And we’ve got new stuff from Claire Lunch and Jim Lauderdale with the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys as well.

For almost 20 years, the 12 South Taproom hosted improvised live music on Mondays that outshone many of the city’s clubs with cover charges and 21-and-up policies. Some of Nashville’s best guitarists and rhythm sections held court. A bluegrass collective has made the place jovial since 2016. On the eve of the Taproom’s closure, Craig Havighurst salutes this beloved neighborhood institution and the kinds of micro-scenes that fade in and out in Music City.

Fifteen years into their close and literally harmonious relationship, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale sound as satisfied and enriched as ever by the audience and aura they’ve established in Americana music. The Milk Carton Kids name was a self-effacing joke about how quickly they expected to be forgotten, but it’s been quite the opposite. They’ve earned four Grammy nominations and an Americana Award as Duo/Group of the Year. Audiences still lean in to hear the nuances of their quiet and thoughtful sound. Their seventh album Lost Cause Lover Fool is the latest iteration of their less-is-more approach to folk artistry.

Most virtuoso mandolin players don’t get to make friends with new audiences by the tens of thousands, but Jarrod Walker has done so touring for years with Billy Strings, from sold out arenas and the occasional broken ankle. Now Jarrod is rolling out a debut album. Called Nighthawk, it’s due May 8, and we’ve got the title track in this hour. Walker plays guitar and mandocello too, and he’s joined by Christian Ward (fiddle), Jake Stargel (guitar), Royal Masat (vocals, bass), Cory Walker (banjo), and Mr. Strings as well. We’re excited to hear this full project. Walker says: “I find that with trad bluegrass it’s best to keep things close to home or else you risk losing the essence of the song. I say that now, but ask me how I feel next year.” Also this hour, Sierra Hull goes neo-classical, Nashville banjo man Frank Evans drops a single from his upcoming solo LP, and Darin and Brooke Aldridge deliver upbeat new gospel.

Liam Duncan grew up in the small city of Brandon, Manitoba and moved to the provincial capitol and musical hotbed of Winnipeg as soon as he could, thinking he might be a session musician and sideman. But post pandemic, he’s been Boy Golden, a quirky, neo-romantic persona making some of Canada’s most compelling folk rock. During a swing through Nashville, Boy Golden talked about shifting focus from Canada to the US, his tight band of old friends, and his new album Best Of Our Possible Lives.

The Nashville Musicians Association - the union representing working players - has launched a Fair Trade Music program that gives consumers insight into which venues treat musicians best in the city’s downtown core. Ten venues were chosen, based on the results of a confidential survey of more than 300 musicians. The union made anonymous comments about difficult working conditions available to WMOT exclusively.

A nice WMOT confluence happened this month around the emerging band Upstream Rebellion. Just as we heard their debut album Headwaters and picked their song “Lonesome Wind” for this week, our program director Jessie Scott independently booked the band for our April 11 WMOT event 895Fest. Which meant I got to find out in real time if the show measured up to the record, and friends, it was at least as good. The guys came together at Western Carolina University in way-out-there Cullowhee, NC, and their mission is specific: “our goal is to carry this tradition forward with heart, honesty, and high energy — creating spaces where everyone feels like part of the family.” Nice. They write original music and they play together really well, knowing their strengths and limits. They will only grow from here. Special notice for their group harmonies; they can really sing. We’ll keep listening. We spin new music from the Lonesome River Band, Thomm Jutz, Unspoken Tradition, and Rick Faris. Also this week, we mark our 200th show, not with any special feature or theme but with a lot of pride and excitement about the years ahead.

Brit Taylor came to town from eastern Kentucky chasing the US Route 23 dream that brought us Loretta Lynn and Patty Loveless - and wound up working with Cowboy Jack Clement and Sturgill Simpson. Adam Chaffins grew up one or two counties over and ensconced himself, as a bass player and singer, in the East Nashville bluegrass scene. Eventually, a friend was smart enough to introduce them, and they became a super-talented Americana couple. But not a duo. Taylor has four albums out, including two produced by her husband. Chaffins dropped a debut LP in 2020 and a soulful EP last year, with Taylor’s harmony vocals. Craig visited their homestead near Mt. Juliet to hear their story around their kitchen table.