GRAMMY-winning bassist, songwriter, and longtime side musician Shelby Means has traveled the world with many acts—most notably in recent years with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and previously with groundbreaking and generation-defining string band Della Mae—but her crowning achievement may very well be a step into her own spotlight. Out today, Means’ eponymous solo debut is a 13-track collection of bluegrass bangers, heartfelt lyrics, hilarious romps, and endless virtuosity that draws on the set of skills and fluencies Means has developed over her accomplished career. Anchored by her bright, confident and decidedly country voice and backed by a roster of true legends and allstars, the music is extraordinary and superlative while somehow still sounding like an informal jam session. “I didn’t feel like I had to stick with one band for the whole thing,” Means says. “I wanted it to feel like my favorite chili pickin’ parties, jams where I would make a pot of chili, invite friends over, and play music for hours.”
It should surprise no one that Means’ roster of friends and neighbors includes many supremely talented and similarly community-minded musicians and artists. Bryan Sutton (who plays guitar on the album) produced an album for Della Mae; producer Maya de Vitry happened to produce Means’ husband Joel Timmons’ album (he’s also in de Vitry’s band); Jerry Douglas produced for Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway on both Crooked Tree and City of Gold; Means’ brother, Jacob, plays mandolin on a couple of selections; Golden Highway’s Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Kyle Tuttle, and Molly Tuttle herself each make appearances; there’s also Sam Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Billy Strings, Michael Cleveland, Tim O’Brien, and more. Plus, stalwart friends from her Nashville years are all over the record, folks like Rachel Baiman, Kelsey Waldon, Billy Contreras, and of course her bandmates and collaborators, many of whom she first met in Music City. With 11 of the 13 tracks original songs, trusted friends and co-writers Maya de Vitry, Joel Timmons, Langhorne Slim, Brennen Leigh, and Kelsey Waldon helped bring them to life.
Like Means’ chili pickin’ parties, the only way to get started is to jump right into the jam and listening through Shelby Means is no different. Stream or purchase the entire album today at this link. For everything else, please visit shelbyleemeans.com.
Shelby Means In The News:
“An album that is, from beginning to end, a joy to listen to...” - Americana UK
“A modern bluegrass anthem to the road life.” - Bluegrass Today on "Suitcase Blues"
“Serious, beautiful, bluegrass business brimming with uncommon exuberance and heart.” - Making a Scene Magazine
“...The playfully subversive front porch sing-along feels like a breath of fresh bluegrass air blowing in.” - Holler. on "Farm Girl"
Catch Shelby Means On The Road:
June 4 - The Ramkat & Gas Hill Drinking Room - Winston Salem, NC
June 6 - Midwood Guitar Studio - Charlotte, NC
June 7 - Charleston Pour House - Charleston, SC * (ALBUM RELEASE SHOW)
June 22 - Cloudland Winery - Buford, GA
June 25 - The 5 Spot - Nashville, TN (ALBUM RELEASE SHOW)
July 4 - Soundcheck Summer Music Series - Pinedale, WY
July 6 - Hot House West House Concert - Salt Lake City, UT
July 11 - Sublette County Library Lawn - Pinedale, WY
July 13 - Means House Concert - Laramie, WY
July 14 - House Concert - Fort Collins, CO
July 15 - Surf Hotel - Buena Vista, CO +
July 16 - Basalt River Park - Basalt, CO +
July 17 - Big View House Concerts - Westcliffe, CO
July 18 - Music on the Green Summer Concert Series - Telluride, CO *
July 20 - Old Town House Concert - Colorado Springs, CO
July 25 - RockyGrass - Lyons, CO #
July 26 - RockyGrass Pavilion Stage - Lyons, CO
Aug 16 - RapidGrass - Idaho Springs, CO
Aug 19 - House Concert - Wichita, KS
Aug 21 - 3rd & Lindsley - Nashville, TN
Aug 22 - Charleston Pour House - Charleston, SC ^
Sept 14 - Cloudland Winery - Buford, GA
Oct 18 - Henderson Bluegrass - Henderson, NV
Oct 20 - WoodSongs - Lexington, KY
Oct 22 - Red Barn Radio - Lexington, KY
* With Maya de Vitry
^ With Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
# With Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
+ With Langhorne Slim
