July 2, 2024 — “When the Grascals started in 2004 I really never dreamed that we would still be going strong 20 years later,” confesses founding member Danny Roberts, “but here we are!” Thus the title of the bluegrass sextet’s new album for Mountain Home Music Company, now available for pre-save/add ahead of its August 23 release: 20. And indeed, the collection serves to tie past, present and future neatly together, offering a recap of the group’s earliest days — complete with the return of another founder, singer/guitarist Jamie Johnson — alongside current and recent hits, and a few twists that show the Grascals have new, creative chapters yet to write in their ongoing story.
Among the former are 20’s lead-off track, “Tennessee Hound Dog,” and “Georgia Pineywoods,” two Felice and Boudleaux Bryant-penned Osborne Brothersclassics — a third remaining founder, singer/bassist Terry Smith is an alumnus of the Brothers’ band, and the group was often joined at early Station Innappearances by Bobby Osborne — as well as a pair of ballads, “The First Step” and “Jenny,” that feature lush trio vocals throughout. Johnson’s “I Go,” written with Darren Nicholson, and “Pull The Trigger,” written with Shawn Camp, fall into the already-hits category alongside another Nicholson-contributed number, the John Bryan-led “Just Let Me Know.” Ringing new changes on the group’s well-established sound are the instrumental “12th & Pine,” co-authored by mandolinist Roberts and teen phenom Wyatt Ellis, the contemporary flavor of “Reflection” — written by Johnson, sung by Bryan — and a masterful take on Stephen McWhirter’s “Come Jesus Come” that providentially was recorded before the recent cover from gospel sensation CeCe Winans. There’s even a bluesy vocal contribution from new fiddler Jamie Harper, who takes on a “deep catalog,” typically whimsical selection from Country Hall of Famer Roger Miller.
Throughout, the polish of the vocal trio — Bryan, Johnson and Smith — that forms one of the two pillars of the Grascals’ sound is perfectly matched by the other foundation: quietly brilliant solos and ensemble instrumental work from Roberts, Harper and award-winning banjoist Kristin Scott Benson. Put together, the two aspects form an undeniable one-two punch that’s kept the Grascals among the genre’s most widely popular acts.
“We were friends that decided to put a band together to play music that we all liked and enjoyed — with no big agenda — just to do what we wanted to do,” recalls Roberts. “However, things changed really quickly and we found ourselves on an arena tour with Dolly Parton opening for her and playing in her band as well as recording with her. We had a tour with Hank Williams Jr. that included Jamey Johnson and Eric Church, we did several appearances with Dierks Bentley, opened for Brooks & Dunn, Charlie Daniels, John Prine, Kenny Rogers and more and recorded with Vince Gill, George Jones, Tom T. Hall, the Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Wariner, and many more.
“We’ve played for two U.S. Presidents, including one performance at the White House, we’ve traveled the world, played on many iconic stages and have guested over 200 times on the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to that, we’ve appeared on several national television shows, including The Late Show with Jay Leno.
“Now, 20 years later with three GRAMMY nominations, two IBMA Entertainer of the Year awards, over 20 SPBGMA awards, I am just excited as I’ve ever been and I’m looking forward to what the next 20 years holds in store for The Grascals!”
Pre-save/add 20 HERE.
About The Grascals
Great musicians will always find a way to make good music, but for great musicians to make great music, they must form a bond – one that, more often than not, goes beyond the purely musical to the personal. For The Grascals, that bond has been forged at the intersection of personal friendships, shared professional resumes and an appreciation for the innovative mingling of bluegrass and country music that has been a hallmark of the Nashville scene for more than forty years.
Their cutting-edge modern bluegrass is delivered with a deep knowledge of, and admiration for, the work of the music’s founding fathers. Timely yet timeless, The Grascals make music that is entirely relevant to the here and now yet immersed in traditional values of soul and musicianship. It’s a unique sound that has earned three Grammy® nominations and two Entertainer of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, as well as national media attention that seems to perpetually elude acts entrenched in niche genres. Such appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox & Friends, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and CBS’ The Talk. Honors also include performing twice for President George W. Bush and at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian.
The Grascals have over 200 guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry to their credit and have also performed on the revered stages of Radio City Music Hall, the Ryman Auditorium and the Kennedy Center as well as music festivals such as MerleFest, Stagecoach, and the CMA Music Festival. In addition to performing across the United States and Canada, the awarding-winning band has traveled the world to take bluegrass music to Japan, Greece, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and Belgium.
The Grascals have also had the opportunity to record and share the stage with several country music legends including Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Hank Williams, Jr., George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless, The Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Wariner, Tom T. Hall, The Jordanaires, and more.
As their recordings prove, The Grascals’ rare musical empathy gives them an unerring ear for just the right touch to illuminate each offering’s deepest spirit – whether they’re digging into one of their original songs or reworking a bluegrass classic or a pop standard. Take for instance, fan favorite, “Last Train to Clarksville.” Non-bluegrass listeners enjoy a new take on a familiar song, while diehard bluegrass audiences who may have never heard the Monkees classic, respond in-kind, not even realizing that the song has been Grascalized.
As they look toward their 20th anniversary, The Grascals can truthfully say they have the best of both worlds — the steadiness of a veteran group that knows who they are and where they’re going, and the excitement and energy of an ensemble that knows it still has something to prove. With a renewed spirit and zeal to continue create and blazing new music trails, be on the lookout for much more to come from The Grascals!