We have a new single to share from an unexpected source, Whysper Stephenson, the 16-year-old daughter of life-long bluegrass artist Larry Stephenson.
Ms. Stephenson is a very active young lady, engaged in competitive gymnastics and riding as well as music. Bluegrass fans close to Nashville will have seen her singing with her dad’s band at The Station Inn, and occasionally on the road, and she has one previous single release to her credit from about six years ago, as well as a fiddle album when she was ten.
The bluegrass bug comes to her honestly, through her dad, but also through her mom, Dreama, and her grandfather, Sterling Belcher, who spent most of his life promoting bluegrass music in southwestern Virginia. That legacy also includes the late Dempsey Young, original mandolinist with Lost and Found, who is a cousin of Whysper’s.
She has chosen Life’s Highway, a song written by Richard Leigh and Roger Murrah, and originally recorded by Steve Wariner in 1986. Stephenson gives it a bluegrass treatment, assisted by her dad and his band: Larry Stephenson on mandolin, Derek Vaden on banjo, Jimmy Haynes on guitar, and Matt Wright on bass. Jason Barie adds fiddle, and Larry and Derek provide the harmony vocals.
Bluegrass has never had an issue with musical nepotism, warmly welcoming the children of its favorite artists. Today’s festival posters are littered with acts that got started with their parents’ bands, like Rhonda Vincent, Danny Paisley, Jaelee Roberts, Larry Efaw, Ralph Stanley II, Dailey & Vincent, Tony Holt, and others fitting the bill.
Have a listen to Life’s Highway and see if you think young Whysper Stephenson will be next!
Life’s Highway is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via Get It Played and AirPlay Direct.
