Track Premiere: Callin’ Your Name from The Grascals

Bluegrass Today | John Lawless

Today’s the day that Mountain Home Music releases Straighten The Curves, their latest from The Grascals. And to celebrate, they have shared one of the tracks for everyone to enjoy here at Bluegrass Today. 

It’s one from Larry Cordle and Chris Austin, Callin’ Your Name, that features Chris Davis, the newest Grascal, on lead vocals. Davis joined the group this spring, stepping into the shoes of founding member, Terry Eldredge, who had decided to retire from the road. Chris gives a new vocal dynamic to the band, strongly supported by fellow guitarist John Bryan singing tenor. 

This song went directly to Chris from Cord, which Davis said came with a prediction from the songwriter. 

“Before we came to the studio, Larry Cordle told me this would be a great song for me to sing. We ended up recording it — and it was indeed a great song that came out really well.”

The Grascals also include founding members Terry Smith on bass and Danny Roberts on mandolin, with Kristin Scott Benson on banjo, and Adam Haynes on fiddle. 

Straighten The Curves is available today wherever you stream or download music online, or on CD directly from the band.

LISTEN: THE GRASCALS, “DRIVIN’ MY LIFE AWAY”

The Bluegrass Situation | The BGS Staff

Artist: The Grascals 
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee 
Song: “Drivin’ My Life Away” 
Album: Straighten the Curves 
Release Date: August 30, 2019 
Label: Mountain Home Music Company 

In Their Words: “This is one of my favorite country songs from the 1980s. I always wanted to cut it in a bluegrass band because it lends itself well to that style. It’s upbeat, powerful, and tons of fun. ‘Drivin’ My Life Away’ has that funk and groove about it. It’s one of those songs that as soon as you start singing it, people know exactly what it is. It’s infectious.” — Singer and guitarist Chris Davis

Exclusive: Grascals Premieres New Song "What Does God Look Like"

Hallels | Hallels News

Award-winning Grascals premieres their new song "What Does God Look Like" today.  "What Does God Look Like" is taken from the band's new Mountain Home collection, Straighten The Curves, which releases on August 30. 

"What Does God Look Like" is sure to speak to any parent with children.  The song is a wistful and moving narrative of a child asking her parent what God is like.  Banjo player Kristin Scott Benson explains: "Kids are so honest and oftentimes have a beautiful, childlike insight into God. I love how this song reminds us of their little inquisitive minds." 

With two of the set's tracks already out - and having already topped the charts - Straighten The Curves looks briefly backward even as it introduces a strong new addition in Chris Davis, who contributes solid guitar picking, stellar harmonies and compelling lead vocals that perfectly complement the singing of veteran members John Bryan and founding member Terry Smith. But though the lineup has changed, you wouldn't know it from the sextet's masterful performances encompassing their signature mix of bluegrass and country-flavored originals, country classics, gospel treasures and sparkling instrumentals. 

From start to finish, then, this is vintage Grascals - confident, clear-eyed, and filled with a spirit of adventure that's always looking down the road, whether it leads away from or back to home. These are themes woven through the course of the project, from the lively Becky Buller-penned opener, "My Virginia Mama," to the group's revival of Eddie Rabbitt's 80s country hit, "Drivin' My Life Away," and the defiant getaway of the title track, penned by Canadian old-time and bluegrass stalwart Chris Coole. 

In true Grascals form, there are a couple of stellar gospel numbers given luminous readings by Bryan ("The Shepherd Of My Valley") and Davis ("What Does God Look Like") alongside a pair of ballads in the thoughtful "They Laughed" and a melancholy "Don't Leave Your Memory Behind," the mandolin-led picking showcase, "AndiWayne," and a pair of grassy lovelorn laments in "Calling Your Name" and "Who Needs You." 

With the vocal trio of Bryan (guitar), Davis (guitar) and Smith (bass) backed by an instrumental trio that includes Kristin Scott Benson, four-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year and recipient of the Steve Martin Award, founding member Danny Roberts (mandolin), a seven-time SPBGMA Mandolin Player Of The Year, and master fiddler Adam Haynes, The Grascals are a formidable presence in the world of bluegrass. 

Infusing a musical wisdom developed and refined through years of steady creativity on stage and in the studio with the fresh energy brought by new talent, The Grascals are at the top of their game - ready to delight long-time fans and make some new ones, too, as they Straighten The Curves

THE GRASCALS, ‘MY VIRGINIA MAMA’

The Boot | Amy McCarthy

Bluegrass sextet the Grascals are premiering the new song "My Virginia Mama," from their much-anticipated forthcoming album, exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play below to listen. 

The twangy lead track from the Grascals' next album, Straighten the Curves, "My Virginia Mama" is a song about getting back home when thousands of miles separate you from the one you love. The song's protagonist is stuck in New York City, while his "Virginia mama" is far away in Old Dominion. 

"There ain't no use denyin' that my heart is far away from New York City / Now boys, I'm headin' home, where I left someone a-cryin'," the band croons in perfect harmony in the song's first verse. "And I gotta say, there's none so doggone pretty as my Virginia mama / Lordy, every day I'm thinkin' of her / My Virginia mama, Lordy, how I love her." 

"My Virginia Mama" was written by celebrated bluegrass songwriter and artist Becky Buller. The Grascals together produced the song, as well as the entirety of their new album. 

The Grammy-nominated Grascals are guitarists and vocalists John Bryan and Chris Davis, bassist and vocalist Terry Smith, banjo virtuoso Kristin Scott Benson, award-winning mandolin player Danny Roberts and master fiddler Adam Haynes. Founded in 2004, the band has released 10 full-length albums, performed for multiple presidents and won countless awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, among other organizations. 

Straighten the Curves pairs gospel classics such as "The Shepherd of My Valley" and "What Does God Look Like" with, among others, a cover of Eddie Rabbitt's iconic "Drivin' My Life Away." it's set for release on Friday (Aug. 30), and fans can learn more at Grascals.com. 

Listen to the Grascals' "My Virginia Mama" 

Bluegrass Today - John Lawless

The Grascals have announced the addition of Chris Davis to the band on guitar and vocals, stepping into the spot vacated by founding member Terry Eldredge, who has decided to get off the road. 

Davis is a bluegrass guy from way back. Both his father (Danny) and grandfather (Elzie) were lifelong bluegrass performers in and around their home in Dayton, OH. Chris played grass in the Dayton area until he got his first touring gig with Larry Cordle in 2006. Since that time, we’ve seen him as a member of Melvin & Ray Goins, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Wildfire, and Marty Raybon & Full Circle. He even had a stint as a country star with Diamond Rio when their mandolinist (and former grasser), Gene Johnson, was recovering from surgery back in 2014. 

For Chris, this is something off a dream job. 

“I’ve always wanted to play guitar and sing lead in a band, and I never dreamed it would be with The Grascals! I am so excited for this change in my music career, and I can’t wait to hit the road and get in the studio… this is going to be GREAT!” 

And Grascals banjo gal, Kristin Scott Benson, already knows him well from their time together with Cord. 

“I traveled with Chris for five years prior to The Grascals, and I always enjoyed working with him — musically and personally. I’m really stoked that he’s one of us (The Grascals) now!” 

But while they welcome Davis to the band, there is some sadness in seeing Eldridge depart, something Kristin recognizes as well. 

“I grew up watching Terry Eldredge play and sing. He’s a hero of mine and it has been an absolute privilege to stand beside him for eleven years.” 

Terry had worked a good bit as a sideman before helping create The Grascals in 2004. His first major gig in bluegrass was with Lonzo & Oscar while he was still in school. He joined The Osborne Brothers in 1988, first as a bass player, moving eventually to the guitar spot. Later he worked with Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time. It was his work as a member of Dolly Parton’s bluegrass backing band in the late ’90s that led to the formation of The Grascals, when Dolly moved away from bluegrass after a number of albums in our genre. 

Grascals bassist Terry Smith worked with Eldridge in several bands prior to them starting one together, and says that the stage will be lonely without him. 

“It has always been hard for people to think of one Terry without thinking of the other. After nearly 30 years of performing together, it’s tough for me to even imagine being on stage without him. I have never had a better friend or a better band mate than Terry Eldredge. I will certainly miss him and I wish him the very best.” 

Davis starts with the band May 18 at the Mayberry in the Midwest festival in Danville, IN. You can see their full tour schedule online. 

Chris and The Grascals are current working on a new album for Mountain Home, which they hope to release later this year.