Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-22
Photo: Courtesy of Béla Fleck
A unique and high-level collaboration continues to take shape as Béla Fleck and acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming have released “My Epitaph,” the second single from their forthcoming album The Fiddle and the Drum, arriving May 29 via Thirty Tigers.
Originally written by legendary Appalachian artist Ola Belle Reed, “My Epitaph” carries a direct and lasting message centered on compassion and showing up for others when it matters most.
For the new recording, Fleck and Fleming are joined by Aoife O’Donovan, whose voice adds another layer of warmth and depth to the traditional composition.
Fleck praised the song’s enduring power, noting how much can be expressed through a simple folk tune and calling Reed’s original writing a deeply elegant statement of personal values.
Listen to “My Epitaph”:
Stream Here |
Watch on YouTube
The Fiddle and the Drum celebrates the deep well of American folk and bluegrass traditions while arriving just ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Fleming’s celebrated voice meets banjo-driven arrangements and the sounds of some of the finest musicians in bluegrass and country music.
Recorded in Nashville, the album features an impressive cast of players and guests including Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, and Mike Bub.
Pre-Order / Pre-Save the Album:
https://30tgrs.ffm.to/thefiddleandthedrum
The project will also head to the stage this year through a special run of live performances featuring My Bluegrass Heart with a largely refreshed lineup of standout bluegrass musicians.
The debut performance takes place at the Grand Ole Opry on May 16, followed by appearances at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Spoleto Festival in Charleston, the Chautauqua Institution, and more dates still to come. The run will culminate with a special night at Carnegie Hall on December 3.
Some guest artists from the album are expected to join along the way, including Aoife O’Donovan and Sierra Hull.
For Grateful Web readers, this project is another reminder of Fleck’s rare ability to bridge musical worlds — from bluegrass circles and jamgrass stages to orchestral halls and global collaborations — while keeping the banjo at the center of the conversation.
Tickets & Tour Dates:
www.belafleck.com/tour
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