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The Grascals - 'Keep On Walkin''

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From Scott Sexton, for About.com

The Grascals - Keep On Walkin'

The Grascals - Keep On Walkin'

Rounder
Bottom Line:

One of bluegrass' most talented bands is releasing their third album that will have people talking for months to come. The Grascals have become known for not only their talent, but for their song selections. Keep On Walkin' is full of bluegrass tunes that will have your feet tapping from start to finish.

Who are the Grascals?
For those of you who are not quite sure who The Grascals are, this is your chance. This group consists of Terry Eldridge (Guitar), Jamie Johnson (Guitar), Terry Smith (Bass), Aaron McDaris (Banjo), Danny Roberts (Mandolin), and Jimmy Mattingly (Fiddle). Each of these men are seasoned musicians and have performed with some of the most well known bluegrass entertainers in the history of the genre.

Touring with Dolly
Shortly after the group was created, Country Music Hall of Famer, Dolly Parton, asked them to tour with her as her back up band. After the tour was finished, they continued to act as her opening band when she appeared for different occasions.

If Jimmy Mattingly sounds familiar, he was Garth Brooks' fiddle player for many years. He's also appeared on six albums that Dolly Parton released as well as her Live And Well CD and DVD. Terry Smith is also very well known throughout the bluegrass community. He first got started with his family's band which also consisted of his mother, Hazel Smith. Some of you may recognize Hazel, she's a popular songwriter as well as a great country music journalist.

Over the past few years, The Grascals has dominated the bluegrass charts. In 2005, they won the International Bluegrass Association's "Emerging Artist of the Year award. In 2006, they won the highest honor, bringing home the trophy for "Entertainer of the Year."

The Songs:

"Feeling Blue" is the first track on this record and it was the perfect way to start it off. This is a tune about a love gone wrong. No matter what happens throughout the day or week, one thing is for certain, his baby won't be home. This is simply bluegrass at its finest.

If you remember back a few years ago, George Jones released a song called "Choices." It caused a lot of talk around Music City, but the world fell in love with it. Billy Yates helped write the song, and now, The Grascals have released their version on this album. They do a great job, and at no point, try to copy George. These guys can take any tune and make it their own.

The fourth track is a remake of Waylon Jennings' "Only Daddy that Will Walk The Line," and later in the album you can hear a Merle Haggard tune titled "Today, I Started Loving You Again." Hearing both of these songs come to life with a bluegrass edge is great.

The title track is a great story song. There is nothing better than to hear a song that has a meaning to it. It's about growing up at all ages. Sometimes you fall as a child, but even as an adult, we stumble. When the tune is over, you'll reflect on your own life.

Wrapping this record up is the old gospel classic "Farther Along." When they sing this tune, it is obvious, these guys are legends in the making. If you love bluegrass, you will love this record. Even if you don't, give Keep On Walkin' a chance. You'll love it!

Release Date: July 15th, 2008 - Rounder Records

Track List:

  1. Feeling Blue
  2. Sad Wind Sighs
  3. Choices
  4. The Only Daddy That Will Walk The Line
  5. Indiana
  6. Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms
  7. Today I Started Loving You Again
  8. Can't You Hear That Whistle Blow
  9. Remembering
  10. Keep On Walkin'
  11. Happy Go Lucky
  12. Farther Along
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