Song:Drinkin' Dark Whiskey
Album:The SteelDrivers
I would describe the original version of The SteelDrivers as neo bluegrass because they play their own songs in the traditional bluegrass style. This changed somewhat when founding members Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson left because they wrote all the songs. The current version of The SteelDrivers performs bluegrass standards. The SteelDrivers were formed in 2007. All are veterans of the Nashville music scene. Lead singer Chris Stapleton was an established songwriter when he started The SteelDrivers. Mike Henderson was Stapleton's frequent songwriting partner who recorded a few albums in the 90s. Fiddler Tammy Rogers also recorded solo in the 90s. But she was mostly a session musician and a long time member of Buddy Miller's band. Mike Fleming was a member of the 80s band Brush Fire. Banjo player Richard Bailey was a member of the Tennessee Gentlemen and the studio group Pickin' On. The SteelDrivers played some bluegrass festivals and signed with Rounder Records. Drinkin' Dark Whiskey is from their 2008 debut CD The SteelDrivers. Stapleton and Henderson wrote all the songs. After the 2010 album Reckless, Stapleton left. He has become one of country music's biggest stars. Henderson left in late 2011 after the album Hammer Down was recorded. It was released Feb. 2012. Henderson released an album in 2014 but he also does session work. They were replaced by Gary Nichols who had released a couple of singles and he had been a sideman. Brent Tuitt was mainly a session musician before joining The SteelDrivers. This new lineup released the album The Muscle Shoals Recordings in 2015. They won a Best Bluegrass Album Grammy for that. They are currently on tour and I would expect them to record a new album when that is done. Bluegrass fans should check them out. Here's The SteelDrivers performing Drinkin' Dark Whiskey at The Loveless Cafe in Nashville on Music City Roots Feb. 6, 2013.
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