Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-16
The Sullivan Sisters are celebrating the release of the tune “Possum Run”, written by Luciya Sullivan (banjo) and Finn McGuinness (fiddle), both RockyGrass Festival Champions on their respective instruments. The high-energy composition features the band's blazing instrumental skills and includes an unexpected Celtic medley in the middle of the tune.
“I started writing this tune one random night in my living room,” says Luciya Sullivan. “I had really been getting into some high-speed mash songs, including 'Teds Tune' and 'Bootleg John' off of Jason Davis' album Second Time Around. Those songs inspired Possum Run's high-energy vibe, which made writing the rest of the tune really fun for me. I came up with this interesting chord progression that I was having lots of fun improvising over, and that's how I came up with the first part of the tune. But I was also really getting into Celtic music at the same time, and I loved the way the genre's ornaments and triplets sounded on the banjo, so I decided to get Finn's help writing a Celtic-sounding interlude for the tune that we ended up absolutely loving.”
“Possum Run” has been on the band's set list for about two years now, and since it's always appreciated by the fans, it was a no-brainer for producer Stephen Mougin to include it on the band's debut album.
“When I first heard the band play this tune, I knew it was a contender for the album. We spent quite a bit of time refining the arrangement and dialing a tempo that fit well for the bluegrass AND celtic feel. I'm really proud of them for digging in and ripping this tune!”
Song: Possum Run
Artist: The Sullivan Sisters
Album: Single
Label: Dark Shadow Recording
Release Date: October 16, 2026
Songwriters: Luciya Sullivan, ASCAP / Finn McGuinness
Performers:
Luciya Sullivan — Banjo
Soraya Sullivan — Guitar
Finn McGuinness — Fiddle
Gabe Zinser — Mandolin
Sammy Mougin — Bass
Produced, engineered and mixed by Stephen Mougin
Mastered by David Glasser
Photo: Scott Simontacchi
Cover: GF Designs
