I came across some really good bluegrass music from some guys from West Virginia who go by the name The Fox Hunt. First glimpse of the band would probably give you the idea that these guys are a rock group, influenced by 90’s alternative rock, but that isn’t exactly the case. Especially when you hear the bass, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and bluegrass vocal harmonies. All the guys in the band range from the early to mid twenties, but don’t let their young age fool you. The bluegrass sounds coming from the band are quite mature, and appeal to country music and bluegrass fans of all ages. Their 10 track debut album “Nowhere Bound” was released back in April of this year on Skull City records. Members of The Fox Hunt include John R. Miller on guitar, bass, and vocals; Matt Metz on mandolin and vocals; Matt Kline on vocals, guitar, and bass; and Ben Townsend on fiddle, banjo, and vocal harmonies.

Visit The Fox Hunt at Myspace to download and listen to some tracks from the band.

Upcoming Shows:

Sep 30 2007 Mast General Store – Knoxville, Tennessee
Oct 06 2007 Millstone Barbeque – Burlington, West Virginia
Oct 13 2007 The Coffee Table (Matt K, John) – Frederick, Maryland
Oct 20 2007 Acoustic Brew – Lamont, Pennsylvania
Nov 09 2007 Limerick’s Pub and Grille – 21+ Show – Martinsburg, West Virginia
Nov 10 2007 Longbranch Saloon – 21+ Show – Hedgesville, West Virginia
Nov 16 2007 Floyd Country Store – Floyd, Virginia
Nov 17 2007 Gunther O’Darby’s – 21+ Show – Roanoke, Virginia
Dec 21 2007 Private Function – Martinsburg, West Virginia
Dec 22 2007 Unique Bar & Grill – 21+ Show – Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania

For those who can’t wait for the upcoming Van Halen semi-reunion tour with David Lee Roth, here’s a few links to some rehearsal video clips.

…nothing is better than this clip though…

I always get strange comments regarding my interest in such a wide variety of music, but I welcome them. I always feel good about telling someone about my ability to listen to my favorite death metal cd followed by my favorite bluegrass cd. It helps me appreciate every aspect of music while keeping an open mind.

So, since I just gave a quick mention of a Norwegian progressive metal band, I’ll now mention a great sounding bluegrass country group from Nashville. The melodies coming from the folk songs of Old Crow Medicine Show are sure to please anyone who enjoys good bluegrass tunes. Invite a fiddle, a banjo, a harmonica, an upright bass, twangy guitars, and some mighty soulful vocals, and you got yourself an Old Crow Medicine Show.

Check out the video for “Tell It To Me” which I have posted along side this blog. Find out a lot more information about the band at their official websites listed below.

The Official Website of the Old Crow Medicine Show
Visit the Old Crow Medicine Show at Myspace

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Jul 19 2007 Moonlite Gardens – Coney Islands – Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 20 2007 Summer Festival – Boone, North Carolina
Jul 21 2007 Master Musicians Festival – Somerset, Kentucky
Aug 05 2007 Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, California
Aug 08 2007 Avalon – Hollywood, California
Aug 09 2007 The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, California
Aug 11 2007 The Fillmore – San Francisco, California
Aug 13 2007 The Crest Theatre – Sacramento, California
Aug 14 2007 Music on the Half Shell – Roseburg, Oregon
Aug 15 2007 Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheatre – Seattle, Washington
Aug 17 2007 Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre – Portland, Oregon
Aug 18 2007 Paradise Performing Arts Center – Paradise, California
Aug 19 2007 Humboldt State University – Arcata, California
Sep 21 2007 John Dee – Oslo
Sep 27 2007 ABC2 – Glascow, Scotland
Sep 28 2007 Open House Festival – Belfast, Ireland
Sep 29 2007 Black Box – Galway
Sep 30 2007 The Village – Dublin, London and South East
Oct 05 2007 Paradiso – Amsterdam
Oct 27 2007 Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tennessee

Another surprise to some of you is that I enjoy bluegrass music, a lot.  I have an extensive collection of really good, and really not so good bluegrass music.  And my collection keeps growing.  I’m happy to find a lot of excellent bluegrass music still being played and recorded to this day.  So from time to time I will share info about some of my long time faves as well as some bluegrass musicians I am newly aware of.

My first shout out is to a band in Atlanta Georgia which I discovered not too long ago.  They call themselves “The Barn Rats”.  A pretty awesome name for a good sounding bluegrass band, I must say.  This good ol’ fashion down home bluegrass sounding band has been playing together for quite some time, and it shows.  The band is made up of Scott Morgan on lead guitar and vocals, Jody Hughes (banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and vocals), Chuck Sitero (rhythm guitar and vocals), Todd Freeman (mandolin and lead vocals), and Justin Roberts on the upright bass fiddle.

Visit the official site of The Barn Rats at myspace to view some great videos of some of their live performances and to listen to some of their songs.