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Featuring David Borne, Nora Jane Struthers & Daniel Donato.

Amy’s in the driver’s seat this week post IBMA with some really interesting choices that taught me a thing or two. The Fretliners, with Tom Knowlton on guitar, Taylor Shuck on upright bass, Dan Andree on fiddle, and Sam Parks on mandolin, have had a crazy year, winning the band contests at Rockygrass and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. They’re from Colorado, so maybe they’re in tune with those festies’ judges. Anyway, congratulations. Amy spins “Where The Green Grass Grows” from their new self-titled album. Also in the hour, old-time from the Downhill Strugglers and new singles from the Tennessee Bluegrass Band and the Price Sisters. A double shot of the Poplin Family from the 1960s takes you to the break.

Chris Jones is one of modern bluegrass music’s multi-position MVPs. He’s a singer, songwriter, guitarist and longtime leader of his band the Night Drivers. He’s also an award winning broadcaster with a long running show on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction and this September he was named Writer of the Year for his humor column at Bluegrass Today. Writing is the theme of the title track of his new EP Pages In Your Hand, which made its first appearance on our show this week. We start with a different kind of sound, the throwback string jazz of the Forty Drop Few, and we segue into new songs by Rusell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Jaelee Roberts, and the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys with Jim Lauderdale. I also want to draw your attention to the gorgeous ballad by dulcimer player and song interpreter Sarah Kate Morgan, one of my favorite recent discoveries.

Featuring Samuel Grey Horse, Stoll Vaughan & Afton Wolfe.

Cruz Contreras has been a key player in the East Tennessee music scene for twenty years, steering accomplished roots projects Robinella and the CCstringband and the Black Lillies. In 2019 he wrote and recorded his first solo album only to see the pandemic upend his plans for its big rollout. He made good use of the lost years, getting married, having a son and moving to a new place. But at last he thought it was time to release Cosmico, a sweeping, ambient country rock project that highlights his rich voice. Cruz and Craig spoke during AmericanaFest 2023.

She’s the hit Nashville songwriter who never moved to Nashville, staying instead in her hometown near Boston. She’s the power mom who wrote timeless country award winners like “Girl Crush” and “Humble and Kind” while raising five kids. Now she reflects on her own story more than ever before on her new album 1988. It’s the fourth in a row she’s made with producer Dave Cobb and a testament to the fact that while McKenna’s won three Grammy Awards, she’s the same humble and kind woman who got dragged to her first open mic back in the early 1990s.

Featuring Laney Jones, EG Kight & Scot Sax

Featuring Emma Zeck, Tremoloco & Reverend Freakchild

Episode 262 of The String is Craig's annual survey of emerging talent showcasing at AmericanaFest 2023, which took place between Sept. 19-23. They’re (mostly) working out of markets other than Nashville. They span honky tonk to exotic southern pop to innovative old-time music. And while no three-artist sampler can truly convey the range of creativity in American roots music, these artists ought to make you feel good about Americana’s future.

Featuring Lore, Melody Walker & Katie Cole