Considered by many to be the ultimate sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show still has a hearty following in re-runs all over the world and they are as much a fabric of our society as any new ‘buzzworthy’ show like Modern Family and in fact Mayberry has become the idyllic setting for what used to be and where we need to return America to, both in terms of pace of life and core family values. So it makes sense that such an iconic show would get tribute to help celebrate 50 years in American Culture. The fact that The Grascals, the premiere bluegrass band of today, is doing the tribute is only icing on the cake as Terry Smith and Terry Eldredge are virtual historians when it comes to anything Mayberry.

The seven-song Extended Player is a delight from start to finish with the band playing loving renditions of the classic show songs like “Dooley,”  Stay All Night (Stay A Little Longer)” and of course, the Mayberry’s Finest Theme. It’s a collection that shows off the values of the show and that of The Grascals and how they both aim to please and entertain folks of all ages.  The short one-minute-plus new track “Boy Giraffes are Selfish” serves as the lone original song on the album and it’s based on a memorable line from one of The Grascals’ favorite episodes.

Lovingly crafted by a band that even incorporates Andy Griffith Show trivia contests into their shows and now, with this album, they’ll be forever tied to a piece of classic Americana, something they’re fast becoming themselves.

Buy: Amazon | Amazon CD | iTunes