The Steeldrivers

A group of seasoned veterans – each distinguished in his or her own right, each valued in the town’s commercial community – who are seizing an opportunity to follow their hearts to their souls’ reward. In doing so, they are braiding their bluegrass roots with new threads of their own design, bringing together country, soul, blues, and other contemporary influences to create an unapologetic hybrid that is old as the hills but fresh as the morning dew. This is new music with the old feeling. SteelDrivers fan Vince Gill describes the band’s fusion as simply “an incredible combination”

Specializing in a unique mix of what might be called bluegrass soul, the SteelDrivers have become one of the biggest names in progressive bluegrass after making their debut in 2005. While there’s a strong traditional streak in the SteelDrivers sound, they bring a passion to their delivery that adds a distinctive flavor, and they’re not afraid of adding a forceful grit to the music.

The SteelDrivers have been nominated for four Grammys, the Americana Music Association’s New Artist of the Year and was IBMA’s 2009 Emerging Artist of The Year. In 2015, “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” won the Grammy award for Best Bluegrass Recording.

The SteelDrivers are: Richard Bailey (banjo), Tammy Rogers (fiddle), Mike Fleming (bass), Brent Truitt (mandolin), and Matt Dame (Guitar)

Troubadour Blue blends evocative songwriting & compelling musical arrangements, daring you not to feel something when listening to their melodies. The trio is composed of siblings, Brenna and Eli Wheeler and Daniel Kim Ethridge. While Brenna and Eli are Nashville natives, Daniel hails from Austin, TX by way of Long Beach, CA. Together, the three transport listeners into the stories of their songs.
The idea of Troubadour Blue was sparked during 2019 when Daniel and Brenna, who met during their time in the Belmont Bluegrass Ensemble in 2015, found themselves in the world of Nashville’s “hired guns” and desired a project where they possessed full creative control. COVID-19 became the world’s reality just as the group emerged from the studio. Though their timeline seemed perpetually pushed back, it opened the door for Eli, Brenna’s brother, to join upon graduating from Elon University and rounded out the trio’s sound.
Marrying the motifs of modern bluegrass with the poeticism found in Nashville’s songwriting scene, Troubadour Blue’s focus is on creating songs that tip the hat to classic country writing while incorporating modern influences. With Daniel on acoustic guitar, Brenna on fiddle, & Eli on acoustic guitar and banjo, the trio’s blended vocals emphasize the importance of harmony while showcasing their unique voices.
Troubadour Blue is set to release their studio album in early ’23 with Tammy Rogers King of the Grammy-award-winning group, The Steeldrivers, as producer.