On becoming the newest member of the Grascals, he said, “Being the newest member of the Grascals feels amazing! I absolutely followed them growing up, I mean who didn’t?! They are the best band members I could ask for, and it’s a cliché but they really do feel like family. Touring musicians spend a lot of time together in close quarters, so it’s important to be comfortable. This is a group of people that I love and respect and they’ve been so welcoming.”
Doc Watson has influenced his life substantially. “Doc influenced me greatly when it comes to the old folk music he was so well known for. He caused me to dig deeper in the old mountain music and in some cases find music that not many people had been fortunate to hear,” he said.
Their new album “And Then There’s This” debuted at No. 1 on the Bluegrass charts. “When I saw that our album was in the top spot, I was speechless. It really took me a few minutes for it to sink in. After I finally stopped smiling, I was on the phone calling everyone telling them we were number one! And then to top it off, the album made it into the Top 50 on the Billboard Country Album chart, too. It’s just incredible, but I have to say that we were all really proud of this album even before the charting spots,” he said.
His favorite song on the album is “I Know Better.” “It’s not my favorite because I sing it, but because it’s such a well-written song and doesn’t sound like every other song you hear. It’s been my favorite since the very first time I heard the demo, long before we decided who would be singing it,” he said.
Regarding his future plans, he said, “Well I just got engaged, so i’m planning on getting married next fall and starting that journey. And of course, I’m looking forward to continuing with the Grascals and seeing what the future holds.”
He listed Patty Loveless and Charli Robertson of Flatt Lonesome as his dream female duet choices. “I have had the pleasure of singing with Rhonda Vincent, which was a thrill … so Patty or Charli would be great fun. Both are extremely talented and are at the top of my picks as a music fan myself,” he concluded.
To learn more about The Grascals, check out their official website.
