Published: August 20, 2008 09:45 am            

Bluegrass group unites the old, new

ASHLAND — A group of experienced, contemporary bluegrass musicians have come together to to form Summertown Road.

Banjo player Jack Hicks said the group came together as a result of knowing one another through the music business.

“Myself and John Rigsby were working with Melvin Goins and decided to form our own band,” he said. “Bo Issac and Randy Thomas were working in their own group. John and I spoke with Bo and Randy and it all started there.”

The newly formed group will have its first performance on Sept. 21 during Poage Landing Days and their first CD will be released in the spring.

“We have landed a major label that will be putting out the CD, but we can’t say the name yet,” Hicks said. “They are going to do a big promotion the first of the year.”

He said the name of the CD comes from a Marty Raybon song. “I called Marty and asked him if we could use it and he said sure, so we adopted it.”

Rigsby, known for his prowess on the fiddle and mandolin, also sings on the new CD. Isaac sings and plays guitar and wrote the song “I’m Leavin’ You.”

Randy Thomas provides the bass. In addition to playing banjo, Hicks plays several other instruments and provides harmony vocals. He also co-wrote several songs.

Hicks said the sound of Summertown Road is a blend of the traditional and the modern.

“Even though we are playing hard driving bluegrass, we are trying to put a contemporary feel to the music,” he said. “One thing: We are writing most everything we are doing. Everyone in the group is an accomplished song writers himself.”

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.

        

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