There is so much news from Sugar Hill Records this week that I have combined it in one post. Sugar Hill is one of the most important music labels in existences today and has one of the most eclectic rosters of artists in the music world.

Doc Watson: Best of the Sugar Hill Years

This is the first of two new titles in Sugar Hill's Americana Master Series which were released on July 8, 2008. Doc is one of my heroes, and it was a special privilege for me to assist with the production of this compilation! 

Doc has recorded several monumental albums for Sugar Hill over the years, and I spent several weeks combing through them to pick out what I thought best exemplified the styles and traditions that really set Doc apart from all other musicians.  I of course included several flat-picking songs, duets with his son Merle, some gospel and bluegrass numbers, and some traditional ballads.  I am confident that all of you Doc aficionados out there will approve. 

Ricky Skaggs: Best of the Sugar Hill Years

Ricky has certainly played a leading role in expanding public awareness of the traditions of bluegrass music.  In the late '70s and early '80s, Ricky released a series of records which have become classics of acoustic music, and which inspired the new generation of bluegrass musicians which has since emerged.  When picking the songs for this record, I was blown away by how powerful and clear Ricky's tenor vocals rang out during his earlier years (not that he's any slouch these days).  From his work leading the seminal newgrass group Boone Creek, to his first solo record Sweet Temptation, to his classic album of duets with Tony Rice, Ricky's Sugar Hill years provided much of the world its first glimpse of this budding superstar.  Speaking of Tony Rice, his flatpicking is all over this record, too.  

Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson - Rattlin' Bones due in September 

We are really excited to announce that Sugar Hill will be bringing you the U.S. release of Rattlin' Bones, a truly incredible new record from Australian duo Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.  I won't go into much detail now, but the record will be released on September 16th, and Kasey and Shane will be touring the U.S. in September, and then plan to return later in the year.  I'll keep you updated, or you can head over to www.kaseyandshane.com to follow the news on your own.  Everyone who has listened to this record around here agrees that it is something very special.

In other news...

• The release of The Duhks' new album Fast Paced World is fast approaching (August 19th).  The band will be offering some special perks to those who pre-order the record, and info on that front will be available soon on their website, www.duhks.com.


• Sam Bush has been nominated for the Americana Music Association's 2008 Instrumentalist of the Year award -- Anyone who knows Sam realizes that he is one of the hardest working guys in Americana music, and absolutely deserves to win this award.  If you are a voting member of the AMA, or know someone who is, I hope you'll do what you can to put Sam over the top!