The SteelDrivers are a bluegrass group that is anything but conventional. They smartly mix contemporary influences with traditional bluegrass sounds to create something new and wholly unique. Described as “new music with an old feeling,” the band has been invited to perform on numerous radio and TV shows like NPR’s Mountain Stage and the Conan O’Brien Show. Richard Bailey (Banjo), Mike Fleming (Bass/Vocals), Gary Nichols (Guitar/Vocals), Tammy Rogers (Fiddle/Vocals), and Brent Truitt (Mandolin) have been nominated for a plethora of awards since the release of their first two CDs, The SteelDrivers (2008) and Reckless (2010), including three Grammys, four IBMA awards and the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award. Rounder Records recently released their third album, Hammer Down, in 2013.
Cricket Tell the Weather, winners of the 2013 MASS MoCA FreshGrass Award for emerging bluegrass talent, is made up of Andrea Asprelli (fiddle), Jason Borisoff (guitar), Doug Goldstein (banjo), Jeff Picker (bass), and sometimes joined by Dan Tressler (mandolin) and Hans Bilger (bass). They weave rock, chamber ensemble elements, and pop into their progressive bluegrass songs, forming a new and exciting sound that music lovers from all walks of life will enjoy. Songwriters Andrea Asprelli and Jason Borisoff received a blue ribbon at the 2011 Podunk Bluegrass Festival Songwriting Competition for their co-written song “Remington”. The band is also committed to molding future bluegrass musicians by holding “American Roots Revival” workshops for students of all ages.