Banjo legend Tony Trischka, hailed as the “Father of Modern Bluegrass” by The New York Times, has released his new single “Maple on the Hill” featuring the acclaimed bluegrass ensemble Sister Sadie. The vibrant track, which dropped on October 7, serves as the lead single from Trischka’s forthcoming studio album due out early next year. The song is a lively and reverent nod to bluegrass tradition, celebrating the artistry of both Trischka and one of the genre’s most dynamic all-female groups.
Based on a 1939 Carter Family rendition once broadcast on Mexican border radio, “Maple on the Hill” also draws inspiration from Earl Scruggs’ informal jam sessions captured on cassette in the 1980s and ’90s. Trischka bookends the tune with faithful Scruggs-style solos, intertwining them with the powerhouse vocal harmonies of Sister Sadie. The result is a spirited, heartfelt take that bridges the old and the new — an homage to the deep roots of bluegrass and the ever-evolving collaboration that defines its present.
Produced by Tony Trischka, with co-production from Lawson White and Deanie Richardson, the single features a stellar cast of musicians: Trischka on banjo, Gena Britt on banjo and vocals, Deanie Richardson on fiddle, Jaelee Roberts and Dani Flowers on guitars and vocals, Katie Blomarz-Kimball on bass and vocals, and Rainy Miatke on mandolin and vocals. The track was mixed by Jim Robeson and mastered by Paul Blakemore, with Sister Sadie appearing courtesy of Mountain Home Records.
“Maple on the Hill” (3:36) is a public-domain composition by Gussie Lord Davis (1863–1899), recognized as one of the first successful African American songwriters and composers. Davis, born in Dayton, Ohio, remains a foundational figure in American popular music history. The recording’s ISRC is QZR8K2560005 and its UPC is 708857001958.
Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1949, Tony Trischka began his musical journey surrounded by the eclectic sounds of Broadway, classical music, and the folk revivalists of the early ’60s, from Woody Guthrie to Pete Seeger. His groundbreaking 1974 debut, Bluegrass Light, fused bluegrass with jazz, pop, and experimental elements, establishing him as a pioneer of progressive acoustic music. Over the decades, he has collaborated with artists such as Béla Fleck, The Allman Brothers, Steve Martin, and David Grisman, earning a 2007 International Bluegrass Music Award for Banjo Player of the Year, two Grammy nominations, and widespread acclaim for pushing the boundaries of traditional banjo playing. His recent project Earl Jam (2024) continued this tradition of innovation, honoring Scruggs while introducing new generations to the banjo’s limitless possibilities.
Sister Sadie, the multiple Grammy-nominated and IBMA-winning all-women bluegrass ensemble, brings a powerful vocal and instrumental presence to “Maple on the Hill.” Comprised of Gena Britt, Deanie Richardson, Jaelee Roberts, Dani Flowers, Katie Blomarz-Kimball, and Rainy Miatke, the group has spent more than a decade redefining the landscape of bluegrass through authenticity, virtuosity, and heart. Their 2025 album All Will Be Well and extensive touring schedule have positioned them at the forefront of contemporary roots music, continuing their mission to carve space for women in a genre historically dominated by men.
“Trischka is known as the father of modern bluegrass,” wrote The New York Times, while NPR called him “the great banjo liberationist” and The Wall Street Journal dubbed him the “father of banjo fusion.” His collaboration with Sister Sadie on “Maple on the Hill” reinforces that legacy — a bridge between generations, styles, and spirits, where timeless tradition meets joyful reinvention.
Visit Tony Trischka: tonytrischka.com
Visit Sister Sadie: sistersadieband.com
