Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-06-19
Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours are celebrating one of the biggest years of their career with the premiere of the official music video for their acclaimed instrumental recording, “Castlerock Turnpike” (watch HERE). Featured on the band's self-titled album, the hard-driving tune quickly became a fan favorite. It spent multiple weeks in the Top 5 of the Bluegrass radio charts while showcasing the world-class musicianship of Daniel Grindstaff, Kevin Richardson, Derek Deakins and Kent Blanton. Written by Grindstaff and inspired by a nickname given to him by Bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin, the instrumental has continued to gain momentum across the industry and has now advanced to the second round of IBMA Awards voting for Instrumental Recording of the Year.
The music video arrives amid a remarkable run of success for the East Tennessee-based group. Their latest album has already produced three No. 1 Bluegrass radio hits with “Angel Dream,” “The Death of John Henry” featuring Marty Stuart, and the current chart-topper “We See Love.” Meanwhile, the band's newest single, “Denver,” written by Country Music Hall of Famer Larry Gatlin, continues its climb on Bluegrass radio. The project has earned widespread praise from fans, radio programmers and media outlets alike, establishing Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours as one of the genre's fastest-rising acts.
In addition to the success of “Castlerock Turnpike,” the band is currently under consideration in multiple categories on the 2026 IBMA Awards second ballot, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year ("The Death of John Henry" feat. Marty Stuart), Collaborative Recording of the Year ("The Death of John Henry" feat. Marty Stuart), Instrumental Recording of the Year ("Castlerock Turnpike"), New Artist of the Year, Banjo Player of the Year (Daniel Grindstaff), and Instrumental Group of the Year. Together, these accomplishments cap off a banner year for a band that continues to honor Bluegrass tradition while forging its own path forward.
Watch the official music video for “Castlerock Turnpike” now and experience one of the year's most celebrated Bluegrass instrumentals.
