Like so many guitar players, I’ve used D’Addario strings for years and years. I’m proud to be an official D’Addario “artist.” Check out my D’Addario profile, here. Royal, John, Christian, and Kyle all play with D’Addarios, too! 

Our May touring season is underway! Preschool graduation Tuesday, hop into the van with Mama Wednesday. Had a great time pickin’ in Southwest Virginia last night, and looking forward to this weekend at Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, Hill Center for the Arts (DC), Drum & Strum (Warrenton), & Ashland Coffee & Tea (Richmond)!

Jarrod Walker

We know that our audiences this May are looking forward to hearing the tasteful and toneful singing and picking of mandolin meistro, Jarrod Walker. Regular mando guy John Frazier is busy touring with Yonder Mountain String Band and his own FrazierBand. But we are honored to have this talented guest star onboard for our Mid-Atlantic dates and festivals this month! Jarrod’s known for his work with Missy Raines, Clay Hess, his brother Cory Walker, among others. If you read this and have something nice to say about Jarrod, please make a comment on our Facebook page under Jarrod’s picture. It won’t go unnoticed!

“Beautiful voices, compelling songwriting, and expert musicianship: listeners encounter all of these attributes from the very first song of Rebecca Frazier’s album When We Fall. With this record, the Virginia-born musician roars back from a personal tragedy and a ten-year recording absence. Frazier and her superlative band, including her husband John, join Bob for a performance from Nashville’s SiriusXM Studios.” For more info, visit Bob Edwards Show site, here!

East Side Story, a wonderful indie bookstore at 5 Points in East Nashville, hosts a bi-monthly series called “East Side Storytellin’.” Store owner Chuck Beard, pictured below, is an amazing force in our little community! I had the pleasure of singing songs from “When We Fall” for the Mad Donna’s presentation on April 15, alongside readings by Skip Nipper, author. Great news is that “When We Fall” is now available at East Side Story, so you won’t have to travel far if you’re interested in picking up your personal copy. 🙂

It was like a fairytale visit to Arandelle in the movie “Frozen” this weekend, leaving the dogwood blooms and daffodils and entering a land of frosty climes and icy snow-covered lakes! And yet, we managed to have one of our best tours, ever! I owe it to friendly folks in Minnesota, who never fail with their good cheer and amazingly happy spirits.

Began our journey in Maple Lake, where bluegrass is alive and well and very, very happy.

Lonely Pines Concert Series MBOTMA

MBOTMA Cabin Fever Festival, Duluth MN

Next stop, headlining Cabin Fever Festival in the charmingly magical city of Duluth. If you’ve never been, it’s time to remedy that! (By the way–great Pho can be found!) Our team of amazing guys included Daniel Rice, master sound engineer & snowball fighter.

Onward to Stillwater, where we met the awesome Pocahontas County Boys. Loved ’em. Thanks to Phil Neussbaum for the “Bluegrass Review” interview & taping. Lastly, thanks to my mother-in-law, Dr. Pamela, for babysitting all weekend! <3

Fun times in Indy, y’all! Thanks to Do317 Lounge for such a cool night in a sweet vibey room. We (heart) Woody Pines! This trio really put it on & we loved their music. (yeah, Brad Tucker!)

At year’s end, Bluegrass Situation published ‘Looking Back: Our Top Picks of 2013.’ “…Rebecca Frazier’s ‘When We Fall’ is the best bluegrass album of 2013….Frazier easily stands in the ranks of Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent, and her compelling lyrics transport us through the pain of loss, love’s disappointments, and the hope of healing….Every song on this beautiful album reveals a facet of Frazier’s musical brilliance.” ~HC

Engine 145, 12/27/13

“Best of Bluegrass (and Its Offshoots)” Top 25 albums of 2013. Surprised shock when we scrolled down and found ‘When We Fall’ at #9! “This thunderbolt of simplicity reminds us how powerful music can be when you focus on, well, the music. Frazier confidently avoids frills and fuss, allowing us to bask in shining vocals, crisp, inventive instrumentation and intelligent songwriting. Nearly all of the 12 songs onWhen We Fall are originals, but Frazier’s… [songs] pack more than enough hook to knock down genre barriers.” –PW, Engine 145