The cohesive sound of East Nash Grass isn’t that of a relatively newly-formed band, not even close. The unity of the 2024 IBMA New Artist of the Year-winning quintet is that of road-honed, finely-aged legends, and the tunes on their upcoming album, All God’s Children, might give a little insight into where and how their connection came to be. Despite where its title may lead, All God’s Children isn’t a gospel album. But, it’s not exactly not a spiritual album, either. World music, spirituality, and a universal connectedness permeate the band’s bluegrass foundation throughout the album, lacking any dividing lines, whether it be genres or beliefs. That blurring of edges is exactly why Harry Clark (mandolin), Cory Walker (banjo), James Kee (guitar), Maddie Denton (fiddle), and Jeff Partin (bass/dobro) can collaborate so freely and on the same page; egos left at the door, instruments at the ready.
Today, East Nash Grass shared another example of their soul-filled bluegrass sound with the freight train momentum of “Bend in the Road.” Clark calls it a “dirty ditty about our hometown of Madison, Tennessee,” but “Bend in the Road” feels deeper than that. Verse after verse of old-timey storytelling leaves listeners spun around with little time to catch their balance, all the while the band never lets off the gas pedal. “Cory and I had been working on this song for a while,” Clark remembers of the songwriting session. “We had a first verse and some other stuff about ‘Granny Women’ and ‘Worm Dirt,’ but no cradle to rock that sweet baby.” As luck would have it, Clark had a number of yet-to-be-utilized verses in a notebook with no melody and no home. “The kind of stuff you tuck away for a rainy day,” he says. Pre-destined to become a standout track from a much-anticipated album? The universe seems to think so. Check out the premiere of the track on Glide Magazine here.
Fans can stream or purchase “Bend in the Road” today at this link, check out East Nash Grass’s previously-released single, “Followin’ You,” here, and pre-order or pre-save All God’s Children ahead of its August 22nd release on Mountain Fever Records right here. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at eastnashgrass.com/tour.
All God’s Children Tracklist:
All God’s Children
Hill Country Highway
Followin’ You
Git Along Little Yearlings
In Such a Short Time
The Love We Gave Up
Bend in the Road
Redbird
Lonesome Song
Jump Through the Window
Catch East Nash Grass On Tour:
June 13 - Overton Park Shell - Memphis, TN
June 14 - The Astra Theatre - Jasper, IN
June 20 - Rose Music Hall - Columbia, MO
June 21 - Baker-Spain Stampede - South Greenfield, MO
June 27 - Chattanooga & Cleveland Firefighters’ Association - Chattanooga, TN
June 28 - Rudy Fest Bluegrass Festival - Morehead, KY
July 4 - Nightfall Concert Series - Chattanooga, TN
July 12-13 - Frankfort Bluegrass Festival - Frankfort, IL
July 15 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
July 25 - RockyGrass - Lyons, CO
July 27 - Red Ants Pants Music Festival - White Sulphur Springs, MT
July 31 - Shrine Social Club - Boise, ID
Aug. 1 - OK Theatre - Enterprise, OR
Aug. 2 - The Showdown - Portland, OR
Aug. 2-3 - Pickathon - Happy Valley, OR
Aug. 5 - Tsunami Books - Eugene, OR
Aug. 7 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
Aug. 9-10 - Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival - Medical Lake, WA
Aug. 21 - The Momentary - Bentonville, AR
Aug. 22 - Bluegrass & Fried Chicken at Ozark Folk Center - Mountain View, AR
Aug. 24 - Treehouse Concerts at Bartlett Arboretum - Belle Plaine, KS
Aug. 29 - SamJam Bluegrass Festival - Piketon, OH
Aug. 30 - Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival - Woodstown, NJ
Sept. 6 - Mountain Song Festival - Brevard, NC
Oct. 12 - Mountain Stage - Charleston, WV
