As bluegrass aficionados know, the only thing better than hot fiddle playing is hot fiddle playing times two. Twin fiddles have played a prominent role in the genre since the mid 1950s, when artists like Bill Monroe and Mac Wiseman first enlivened their recordings with the distinctive sound.
Today, Mountain Home Music Company is proud to announce that two of the most prominent fiddle players in bluegrass have stepped forward to take their place in twin fiddling’s distinguished lineage — this time, with a unique twist. Founding members of the all-female ensembles Della Mae and Sister Sadie, Deanie Richardson and Kimber Ludiker have joined forces to create a new body of twin fiddle recordings, starting with the dazzling display of virtuosity on their first single for the label, “Cacklin’ Hen," now available for pre-save and add ahead of its May 16 release.
“I am so grateful and excited to say that Mountain Home Music Company has given Kimber Ludiker and myself a platform to release some twin fiddle music,” says Richardson. “Kimber and I've been talking about this record for the past three years, and Mountain Home was the first place I went, to talk to Jon Weisberger about the opportunity to record this record with them. I’m so grateful for all they do and thankful to have a place for this twin fiddle record.
“I've been a Kimber Ludiker fan for many, many years now, since I heard her play at the Grand Master Fiddler contest. I was a judge that year, and she completely blew me away. I think Kimber is one of the most tasteful, versatile fiddlers that we have in bluegrass music today, and the work she's done with Della Mae speaks volumes for her integrity and her talent.”
“Deanie Richardson has long been one of my favorite fiddlers,” adds Ludiker, “and has always been my favorite to play with. We’ve been dreaming about a twin fiddle record for years, and Mountain Home is the perfect label to share our excitement and vision. With our bands, Della Mae and Sister Sadie, we’ve both had a long commitment to showcase and create a platform for women in this music, and we’re excited to add our fiddling to the canon of tunes in our music. I especially hope young girls will be excited to have more and more recordings of instrumentals played by women to inspire their learning."
“Cacklin’ Hen,” the first fruit of that collaboration, is a strong out-of-the gate entry. Here, abetted by a crackerjack band — bassist Hasee Ciaccio (Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands), award-winning banjo player Kristin Scott Benson, Missy Raines & Alleghany mandolinist Tristan Scroggins and reigning IBMA Guitar Player of the Year Cody Kilby (Travelin’ McCourys) — Ludiker and Richardson make it their own in a particularly noteworthy way: while they stick to a traditional fiery tempo, rather than play the opening and closing together and then take separate solos, the duo play in harmony throughout, with Ludiker deftly matching Richardson’s improvised leads to create a unique and compelling musical experience.
“When Deanie first approached me about recording with Kimber for Mountain Home, my reaction was an immediate ‘yes!',” says label A&R Director Jon Weisberger, “and my enthusiasm has only grown since then. Their artistic vision, with its blend of back-to-basics and innovation, and their ability to execute it are an unbeatable combination. I’ve been an admirer of their individual artistry for a long time, and I know that fans will enjoy the music they make together just as much as I do!”
Pre-save/add "Cacklin' Hen" HERE.
