Paul Simon, always looking for ways to create new sounds or blends, decided that he wanted to use some bluegrass sounds on this new project and turns to Jerry Douglas for advice!
He had asked Douglas, who has toured and recorded with him in the past, who he should get, and Jerry suggested that he listen to Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Del McCoury Band and Quicksilver. After checking each group out on YouTube, Simon decided that Doyle and Quicksilver had what he liked to hear, the right blend.
Innovating Bluegrass band Doyle Lawson and Quicksilveragain breaks the mold of convention with their latest album Drive Time, set to release on March 29, 2011 on the Mountain Home Music label, a division of Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing, Inc. The album is available in a limited run vinyl edition as well as CD and digital downloads.
The very first cut on the album enters new territory for Lawson - a vibrant version of Paul Simon’s “Gone At Last,” of which Simon says, “Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have done one of the best covers I have ever heard of a song of mine. It’s definitely the fastest.”
The entire recording contains explorative arrangements that stretch the band's traditional bluegrass sound, including an original country/bluegrass mix of “Love On Arrival” (debut single) and “Country Store,” and the intricate genre-bending instrumental “Greenbriar Hop.” A compelling remake of “Precious Memories,” is the sixth track on the album and all the tracks are driven by the flawless musicianship and heart-stopping vocals for which Lawson is known.
Lawson adds, “I’m so excited about this new release. It is a unique and fresh new sound for us. I love this combination of songs because I believe each one flows into the next, complementing the song before it.”
Front Page Bluegrass News has just learned of the passing of Carlton Haney, a bluegrass pioneer, festival promoter and booking agent. Some will say he invented the bluegrass festival as we know it today.
Haney passed away this afternoon, March 16, 2011 at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, NC following a stroke on March 3. He was 82.
A spokesman for Citty Funeral home in Reidsville, NC confirmed his passing. Funeral arrangements are still in process and probably won't be finalized until tomorrow afternoon. Final arrangements will be posted on the funeral home's website at: www.CittyFH.com
The "Eternal Annual Heaven Memorial Bluegrass Festival in the Sky" has just begun, now that our old buddy Carlton is there to run it. - Martha Adcock, 2011
Haney who became interested in bluegrass after a teenage crush on Bill Monroe's daughter, Melissa was inducted into the IBMM Hall of Honor in 1997.
Carlton Haney talks with Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman
_ For any who might know Carlton Haney, there is a group on Facebook called 'Carlton Haney's Bluegrass Festival'. It is an open forum where pictures, videos, comments, conversations, etc. are posted about this era of bluegrass.
