September 27, 2024 — Mountain Home Music Company congratulates Ashby Frank who won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Instrumental Recording Of The Year for his song, “Knee Deep In Bluegrass,” a tribute to Terry Baucom, a beloved member of the bluegrass community, and a compelling example of the musical power that created and sustained it.
“This was such a surprise and a tremendous honor,” says Frank. “Thanks to all of the programmers and DJs that made this track such a huge hit, all of my friends that contributed their talent to this recording, and also to all of the IBMA members that voted for ‘Knee Deep.’ We all miss Bauc, and I know he would be so proud of this award.”
Frank’s “slightly modified” version of this song can be chalked up more to his attention to detail than to wholesale revision. For while his arrangement’s tautly rhythmic prelude and stripped down initial statement of Baucom’s memorable theme are new, what follows is the deepest kind of bluegrass tribute — one that pays homage in a sophisticated, nuanced way, resorting neither to simple imitation nor gratuitous re-imagining, but instead serving up an irresistible blend of deeply informed nods to the original and fresh, new touches that honor its creative spirit. And though “Knee Deep in Bluegrass” was born as a banjo tune, Frank and his mandolin are the animating forces behind each of his collaborators — banjoist Matt Menefee, Jim VanCleve (fiddle), guitarist Seth Taylorand a rhythm section of drumming legend Tony Creasman and bassist Travis Anderson — as the soloists take their turns front and center.
“Bauc was performing at the first festival I ever attended in Denton, NC,” Frankrecalls. “His style and persona has been an inspiration to me ever since that first meeting. I think Matt, Travis, Jim, Seth and Tony really nailed their parts on the tune. I hope our recording brings back fond memories for anyone who knew Terryand will honor him as he so richly deserves.”
Listen to “Knee Deep In Bluegrass” HERE.
About Ashby Frank
North Carolina-raised, Nashville-based singer/songwriter/mandolinist Ashby Frank stands out from the crowd. Since his arrival in Nashville in the early part of the century, Frank has become known as one of Music City’s most valuable collaborators, and now he’s begun releasing music of his own with Mountain Home Music Company. His first single with the label, “Midnight Highway,” quickly topped Bluegrass radio charts as a broad range of listeners became acquainted with talents that industry observers have known of for years. Frank’s resume includes stints as a collaborative member of the Mashville Brigade and the Likely Culprits, as well as recordings and performances with a wide array of bluegrass and roots music mainstays, including the Earls of Leicester, John Cowan’s HercuLeons, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, the Marty Raybon Band and Special Consensus. He’s scored as a songwriter, too, penning songs for Junior Sisk, Amanda Cook, Dale Ann Bradley, Lindley Creek and more, and even taken on the world of comedy as a member of the Darrell Brothers.