Tag: Progressive Bluegrass

Boone Creek’s 1977 Debut Reissued with Vince Gill & Unreleased Tracks

The genre-defining 1977 album: Boone Creek’s self-titled debut returns. Photo: Craft Recordings, used with permission.

Lost Bluegrass Treasure Unearthed: Boone Creek’s Legendary 1977 Debut Returns with Unreleased Tracks

The wait is finally over for bluegrass purists and progressive roots fans alike. Craft Recordings and HighTone Records have announced the long-awaited return of Boone Creek, the self-titled 1977 debut from the boundary-pushing supergroup. (Craft Recordings, 2026)

Featuring future bluegrass luminaries Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Wes Golding, and Terry Baucom, this landmark album is stepping out of the vault and into the modern era.

A Historic Reissue Across All Formats

Long out of print and previously unavailable outside its original release, Boone Creek is making a massive comeback on June 26.

  • First Vinyl Pressing in nearly five decades.
  • Debut Releases on CD and all streaming platforms (including hi-res digital).
  • Pre-orders are available.

🎧 First Listen: “I’m Gonna Settle Down”

To celebrate the announcement, you can stream or download Boone Creek’s soul-stirring take on the Flatt & Scruggs classic, “I’m Gonna Settle Down,” right now. The track perfectly showcases the dazzling musicianship and fiery chemistry of these four masters.

50 Years in the Making: The Mystery of the Lost Tapes

In 1976, fresh off their tenure with J.D. Crowe & the New South, Ricky Skaggs (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals) and Jerry Douglas (Dobro, vocals) joined forces with songwriter Wes Golding (guitar) and Terry Baucom (banjo). Together, they created a daring new sound that honored bluegrass tradition while boldly expanding its possibilities with elements of jam-band looseness, timeless pop, and 1970s soft-rock.

But for decades, a piece of that history was missing.

“When it came time to collect the tapes, it was found that the engineer had absconded with them.” — Jerry Douglas

Nearly five decades later, the tapes were finally tracked down, but they were moldy and badly damaged. Following an intense restoration effort, four previously unreleased session recordings were rescued. These bonus tracks reveal an even bolder, more experimental side of Boone Creek, including the freewheeling “Hitchhiking to California” and the horn-laced, subtly psychedelic “Dream Song.” One of the recovered tracks, “Misty Wind,” even features harmony vocals from country legend Vince Gill, who briefly played bass for the band.

What the Legends Are Saying

“It’s been over 50 years since Boone Creek made these recordings and it’s great to hear them remastered. They sound better than ever, and I never thought the previously unreleased cuts would see the light of day. A big thanks to my bandmate, brother Jerry Douglas, for assisting in the remastering process—great job!” — Ricky Skaggs

Where Are They Now? The Boone Creek Legacy

Boone Creek only put out one more album (One Way Track in 1978) before disbanding, but its members went on to shape the face of American roots music:

  • Ricky Skaggs: Just 23 during Boone Creek, he went on to join Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band and forged a legendary career, earning 15 GRAMMY Awards.
  • Jerry Douglas: Recognized as one of the most influential Dobro players in history, Douglas has garnered 16 GRAMMY Awards and is a featured member of Alison Krauss and Union Station.
  • Wes Golding: Later performed with the beloved Shenandoah Cut-Ups and co-founded Wes Golding & Sure Fire.
  • Terry Baucom: A founding member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out, Baucom passed away in 2023, receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award at that year’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.

A Snapshot of Bluegrass History

Today, Boone Creek stands as both a time capsule and a revelation: a snapshot of four extraordinary musicians at the start of their journeys, unafraid to test the limits of their craft.

Are you excited to spin this progressive bluegrass classic on vinyl? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to pre-order your copy today!

Photo: Craft Recordings

Legendary Tony Rice 1977 Self-Titled Album to Be Reissued for 75th Birthday

Tony Rice’s 1977 self-titled album returns on vinyl and digital. Photo: Craft Recordings, used with permission.

Bluegrass Legend Tony Rice’s 1977 Masterpiece Returns for 75th Birthday Celebration

Los Angeles, CA — In celebration of what would have been influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice’s 75th birthday, Craft Recordings has announced the return of his seminal 1977 self-titled album. (Craft Recordings, 2026)

Out of print for more than 40 years, Tony Rice captured a pivotal shift in bluegrass toward a more expansive, ensemble-driven sound. Featuring a “who’s who” of bluegrass legends, the record remains a cornerstone of the “new acoustic” genre, seamlessly blending bluegrass standards with contemporary compositions.

The Definitive Reissue

For the first time in decades, fans can experience this foundational recording in its purest form.

  • Release Date: June 5
  • Format: Vinyl (featuring AAA mastering) and Digital (Standard/Hi-Res)
  • Audio Quality: Cut from the original tapes with all-analog (AAA) mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.
  • Packaging: A faithful replication of the original 1977 jacket design.
  • Listen Now: Rice’s take on the traditional folk ballad “Banks of the Ohio” is available to stream today.

Pre-save/Pre-order the album here

A Revolutionary Force in Bluegrass

Tony Rice (1951–2020) was more than just a guitarist; he was an innovative force who shaped the very sound of modern bluegrass.

Born in Virginia and raised in Los Angeles, Rice first rose to prominence in Louisville, KY, as the lead vocalist and guitarist for J.D. Crowe’s legendary group, The New South. In the mid-’70s, Rice returned to California to join the David Grisman Quintet, where he began incorporating jazz, classical, and other sophisticated styles into his playing.

The Birth of “New Acoustic”

Released during his tenure with Grisman, Tony Rice was the guitarist’s third studio album and his first for Rounder Records. It stands as a prime example of the “new acoustic” style—an improvisation-driven blend of bluegrass, jazz, and prog-rock played on wholly acoustic instrumentation.

The album features an incredible lineup of collaborators:

  • Larry Rice: Mandolin
  • J.D. Crowe: Banjo, Backup Vocals
  • Jerry Douglas: Dobro
  • David Grisman: Mandolin
  • Darol Anger: Fiddle
  • Todd Phillips: Bass
  • Richard Greene: Fiddle

Together, they artfully blend tradition with progression, moving from Bill Monroe’s “Big Mon” to contemporary compositions like Grisman’s “Rattlesnake.”

An Enduring Legacy

Rice’s influence cannot be overstated. Ricky Skaggs once hailed him as “the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years.”

Over a four-decade career, Rice released over a dozen solo albums—including the acclaimed Church Street Blues (1983)—and over two dozen collaborative titles. A GRAMMY® Award winner and International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee, Rice’s distinctive touch and harmonic complexity continue to influence generations of pickers worldwide.

Tony Rice Track Listing (Vinyl)

Side A:

  1. Banks of the Ohio
  2. Rattlesnake
  3. Mr. Engineer
  4. Plastic Banana
  5. Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler
  6. Farewell Blues

Side B:

  1. Way Downtown
  2. Stoney Creek
  3. Hills of Roane County
  4. Eighth of January
  5. Big Mon
  6. Temperance Reel