Recommended Bluegrass Tracks to End 2024
(and Why I Recommend Them)
East Nash Grass - Mountain Bluebird
In my opinion, this is one of the stick-out tracks from East Nash Grass’ debut album.
If you haven’t listened to this band, they’re worth investing time in and checking out. These guys are all super talented pickers, and stick close to a more traditional sound - which is what I typically radar towards.
The singer here, Gavin Largent, fiddler player Maddie Denton, and guitar/mandolist Harry Clark all perform with the Dan Tyminski band.
The Travelin Mccourys - Southbound
This is a cover of the classic Doc Watson Tune, co-written by Merle Watson.
If you’re unfamiliar with The Travelin Mccourys, they’re essentially the Del McCoury band minus Del. The group features Del’s sons, Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo), along with Jason Carter on fiddle, Alan Bartram on bass, and Cody Kilby on guitar.
They’ve carved their own path in the bluegrass world by blending tradition with innovation, often stepping beyond the genre’s boundaries into jam band and rock influences with covers like Lonesome, Onry, and Mean by Waylon Jennings.
Jason Carter sings on this one, and is a great example of that hard-driving bluegrass sound that I love.
Jerry Douglas - Loyston (Featuring Daniel Kimbro)
Loyston tells the story of Loyston, Tennessee, a ghost town in Unicoi County now permanently submerged underneath the waters of Norris Lake.
The TVA purchased the land in the 1930s, and relocated the town’s residents, effectively displacing an entire community before the area was flooded upon the completion of Norris Dam in 1936.
Today, the area where Loyston once stood is underwater, but its legacy lives on through stories and songs.
The song was written and sung by Daniel Kimbro, with Jerry Douglas on the dobro.
Authentic Unlimited - Big Wheels
This song popped up in my algorithm very recently, and I’ve been wearing it out ever since.
There are a few reasons why:
1. I love a good traveling song, and a good breakup song. This tune is BOTH.
2. It mentions the hometown of Knoxville.
3. This is straight-driving bluegrass. It’s hard to not start tappin’ the toes when this one comes on.
Unreal song!
Billy Strings - Leaning on a Travelin’ Song
Billy Strings gets a lot of shit for blending genres and stepping outside traditional bluegrass boundaries.
But with this opening track for his recently released major-label debut release, Highway Prayers, I believe he’s making a statement that he’s here to honor the roots of the music that catapulted him into bluegrass super-stardom.
Sure, the album gets into experimental territory, but this banger is about as traditional as it comes. Definitely give it a listen, as well as the whole album. I’m a fan!