Down The Road Records has announced a March 13 release date for Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam 2, a second set of new recordings where contemporary banjo master Trischka offers solos once played by the great Earl Scruggs at jam sessions.
lDuring the pandemic shutdowns, Tony was given a thumb drive containing hours of audio files of the legendary jams hosted by Scruggs at his home. They showed Earl, relaxed and comfortable among friends, playing freely on a mix of songs and tunes, which Trischka then transcribed and learned. Initially doing so primarily as an exercise, Tony soon realized the value of making these Scruggs solos available to the general public, and what better way than with new recordings featuring these same songs.
And so the initial Earl Jam project was launched. That album won rave reviews, and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Bluegrass Album category in 2024.
Now Tony has prepared a second volume of songs and tunes, taken from these jam tapes, reimagined by Trischka, and performed with some of the top bluegrass artists in the world.
We get a sneak peek with today’s announcement, a studio video of Tony recording John Hartford’s Gentle On My Mind, alongside Billy Strings, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, and Mark Schatz. Watch as they change keys to both suit Billy’s voice and allow Tony to present the Scruggs solo as it came to him. He also gets in one in his own style, along with a jam going out.
Other guest artists on Earl Jam 2 include Dudley Connell, Sierra Ferrell, the Gibson Brothers, Del and Ronnie McCoury, Bruce Molsky, Sister Sadie, the SteelDrivers, Molly Tuttle, and rising artist Farayi Malek.
The tracks list is as follows:
- Columbus Stockade Blues – featuring Del and Ronnie McCoury
- Red River Valley – featuring Molly Tuttle
- Old Cacklin’ Hen
- Mom & Dad’s Waltz – featuring Farayi Malek
- Gentle On My Mind – featuring Billy Strings
- Maple On the Hill – featuring Sister Sadie
- Lost John – featuring the SteelDrivers
- I Still Miss Someone – featuring Sierra Ferrell
- That’s All Right – featuring Dudley Connell
- Bill Cheatham
- Down In the Willow Garden – featuring the Gibson Brothers
- Boil Them Cabbage Down
- Here Comes the Bride – featuring Sam Bush
- Chicken Reel
- I Wish We Had Our Time Again – featuring Bruce Molsky
Gentle On My Mind is available now as a single from popular download and streaming services online. Pre-orders for the full Earl Jam 2 are likewise enabled.
Trischka has also booked a number of shows around the release date, where you can catch him performing the material from Earl Jam 2.
- March 12 – Symphony Space, New York, New York
- March 13 – Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE
- March 14 – The State Theater, State College, PA
- March 18 – Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
- March 19 – Symphony Space, New York, NY
- March 21 – West Falls Center for the Arts, West Falls, NY
- March 26 – Symphony Space, New York NY
- April 18 – Belleville Roots Music Series, Newburyport, MA
- April 25 – McConnell Arts Center, Columbus, OH
- April 26 – City Winery, Pittsburgh, PA
- May 23 – The Freight, Berkeley, CA
