The Grascals - Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin!

The Grascals first album for their own label is a star-studded affair which features the likes of Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols and more. Check out what we have to say about it.

Brad Paisley guests on “Tiger by the Tail” and helps the fantastic Grascals by providing some trademark guitar licks on the instrumental breakdown while Dierks Bentley (who had the Grascals guest on his own Long Trip Alone album) guests on the Johnny Cash classic “Folsom Prison Blues.”  Both of these songs don’t stray too far from the originals but it is fun to hear them get that acoustic, bluegrass sound and it works really well.  The new song “I Am Strong” features Dolly Parton in the single version of the song and it’s a sweet and powerful tune that fits the mission of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital like a glove and with that in mind The Grascals are giving a portion of the proceeds from the album to the Hospital. 

While all of these songs mentioned above are great, two of my favorites on the album are two songs with Louisiana in the title, the Grascals’ solo track “Louisiana Saturday Night” and “Leavin’ Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” a song featuring country legends The Oak Ridge Boys.  Both songs are strong and work well in the bluegrass arrangement.  “Mr. Bojangles” was once a hit acoustic pop chart hit for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band so I figured the tune would work well on this album and boy, does it ever.  In fact, teaming up with Joe Nichols was an inspired idea that gives the song a new lease on life.

Touring with Hank Williams, Jr. probably helped to inspire the medley of “Born To Boogie” and “All My Rowdy Friends” while the instrumental “Cracker Barrel Swing” allows the band to showcase their chops musically (at least more so than other tracks on the album).  The record features an all-star version of “I Am Strong” which features Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Randy Owen, Steven Seagal, Tom. T Hall, Joe Nichols, and Ansley McLaurin.  It’s a great song that showcases the true heart of country and bluegrass music and the place that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has in the genre’s collective heart.  It’s also a fitting end to a wonderfully crafted album that helps get 2011 off to a great start.  

You can purchase this album at your local Cracker Barrel Old Country Store or by clicking here.

To read more about this album, check out our feature article by clicking here.

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