Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on December 16, 2025
Sam Grisman Project is proud to announce the release of their new self-titled double album and studio debut, available today on all major streaming platforms and via David “Dawg” Grisman’s Acoustic Disc.
ORDER: acousticdisc.com
LISTEN: Stream on all platforms
Spanning 20 tracks, the self-titled collection brings together bandleader Sam Grisman with an esteemed ensemble of longtime friends and collaborators: Victor Furtado, Dominick Leslie, John Mailander (Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers), Nat Smith, Max Flansburg, and Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings), alongside featured guests Tim O’Brien, Logan Ledger, Lindsay Lou, and Nate Leath.
The album unfolds much like the band’s own acoustic live show, weaving together revered classics from Bob Dylan (“Went to See the Gypsy,” “Buckets of Rain”); Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter (“Ramble on Rose,” “Loser,” “Deal,” “Lazy River Road,” “So Many Roads”); and Bonnie Dobson (“Morning Dew”), along with traditionals arranged by Grisman (“When First Unto This Country,” “Wild Bill Jones”). The collection also highlights new original material from Max Flansburg (“Long Hard Year”) and Nate Leath (“Riley’s Run,” “Rosin on the Ground”).
Tracked over three days, January 5–7, 2025, at Tractor Shed in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, the double album was recorded with minimal overdubs to preserve the immediacy of the live experience and showcase the rich, natural character of the acoustic instruments brought to life by this talented roster of artists.
“I’m extremely excited to finally share the first full-length SGP record with the world. It is a sonic snapshot of some of my favorite music and musicians from early this January. I couldn’t be more proud of my friends for playing their hearts out on these songs we love so much, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to share this music with the community of friends and music appreciators we are so lucky to be a part of.”
— Sam Grisman
The album opens with a fresh take on “Ramble on Rose,” featuring guest Logan Ledger, whose warm, Nashville-infused vocals breathe new life into the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter favorite, complemented by Lindsay Lou’s harmonious contributions. Ledger also leads an emotive rendition of “Loser” and a crisp, acoustic reinterpretation of “Deal,” continuing a strong thread of Grateful Dead material that runs throughout the record.
Honoring the songbook’s enduring influence, the group offers their interpretation of “Lazy River Road,” rendered like a lullaby under Grisman’s direction, with tender references to his own history and early memories with Garcia. Roughly a quarter of the album draws from the Garcia/Hunter catalog, reimagining fan favorites with fresh perspective, including the Max Flansburg–led closer, “So Many Roads.”
Other selections resonate deeply with longtime fans, including a powerful reinterpretation of Bonnie Dobson’s “Morning Dew,” a song closely associated with the Grateful Dead. Bob Dylan’s “Went to See the Gypsy” features guest Tim O’Brien, whose seasoned musicianship trades solos with the ensemble, while twin fiddlers Alex Hargreaves and John Mailander elevate the track into bluegrass territory.
Traditional instrumentals are a centerpiece of the collection. Grisman’s arrangement of “Pork Fat Makes My Chicken Tan” weaves a rich tapestry of sound with double banjo, twin fiddles, and the bandleader’s precise, signature picking. Additional traditionals—including “First Unto This Country,” “Wild Bill Jones,” “Willow Creek,” and “Sow ’Em on the Mountain”—showcase inventive arrangements that honor the genre while adding fresh energy and perspective.
Original compositions further highlight the group’s creativity, from Max Flansburg’s fiery “Long Hard Year” to Nate Leath’s fiddle-driven “Riley’s Run” and the spirited instrumental “Rosin in the Gourd,” an invitation to dance and two-step.
The album was recorded ahead of Sam Grisman Project’s Ryman Auditorium debut on January 9, 2025, a performance that brought together members of the ensemble alongside their acoustic guide Peter Rowan and a remarkable list of guests including Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Billy Strings, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Ronnie and Rob McCoury.
ORDER NOW: Acoustic Disc
LISTEN HERE: All Streaming Platforms
