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I was at a party at the home of Paul Reed Smith and the hired entertainment was the impromptu trio of Ricky Skaggs, Cody Kilby and myself. The music was recorded to professional quality and there was such a warm vibe in the room that my brain immediately thought- “Butch’s album!” I made the suggestion to Paul before the playback had even finished and he generously agreed. It’s also fitting that Mingus’s tune is an elegy for a departed musical comrade. I think Butch would have looked great in a pork pie hat! Red Fox Waltz performed
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"Butch, John Reischman, and I shared a week of stories, laughs, and music while recording what became 'Travellers,' one of my favorite albums. Two years later I recorded the Missouri fiddle tune Red Fox Waltz - multitracking three guitars, mandolin and bass - and I couldn’t help noticing how reminiscent of 'Travellers' it was - and how obvious Butch’s influence on my mandolin playing had become - especially my tremolo. This track has been waiting all this time for just the right moment…and when Doc asked me to contribute a track to 'The Road Home,' I knew that moment had arrived. It’s an honor to be part of 'The Road Home' and I'm grateful for this opportunity to give something back to Butch." |
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Two of Us performed
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"Butch has always been very generous with suggesting material to me for recording projects. It was his suggestion that I include the tune For Vic on my recording North of the Border. Butch is a big Beatles fan and once suggested that Two of Us would work great as a bluegrass tune, so it was a natural for us to record it for this CD. It is pretty different sort of tune for us, but we had a great time working it up. Butch was right, John and Paul wrote a powerful bluegrass number!" |
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Pine Grove Furnace performed
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"The tune Pine Grove Furnace' shows a love for old time music but with a modern sensibility. It's not overplayed--it's simple, yet there are twists which show more "sophisticated" (not trying to deride old time tunes or players, just mean more schooled) ears. The tune reminds me a lot of Butch. Not that it emulates his playing, but it does honor his approach. Butch had a wonderful talent for reinterpreting old tunes." |
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Happy Hollow performed
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"I chose Happy Hollow because of the title. It was something I wanted to see happen, to see everything be "right" again. It was an effort to lend a positive note and influence the outcome." |
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A Place in the Heartperformed
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"I introduced the tune A Place in the Heart to Butch when he was searching for material for his New Classics For Bluegrass Mandolin recording. It was composed by my long-time guitar playing gig partner Bill Crahan. Butch and I shared a common love for this beautiful piece of music, and when it came time to contribute to the project, it seemed it was the only logical choice. I knew he'd understand why I chose it. What a privilege it was to share that piece of music on a project honoring Butch's life."
"Every time Butch would call he would adopt his alter ego...'Western Red Cedar', saying "This is Mr. Western Red Cedar from The Music City calling for Mr. Steinway"...I had been trying to write a fiddle style tune and had some trepidation. Butch encouraged me by observing "original tunes are just snapshots of where you are musically at the time".So I decided to let it happen. Some of the unusual harmonic turns in the bridge I like to think reflect Butch's eclecticism and open mindedness. After I heard it I thought it should be named after my good friend Western Red."
The reason I chose The Rose City Waltz is because I thought Butch would have enjoyed the melody and the chord structure. And a waltz is very appropriate for this project.
“Butch’s Bounceback” was written to reflect the positive attitude that Butch maintained throughout his battle. I thought an up tempo tune would take the edge off the pain we were all feeling, and I wanted Butch to know that even if he could no longer play, he could still inspire music."
NME, joined by Blake Baldassari, at concert
May 17, 2009