World-class banjo extraordinaire Daniel Grindstaff has released his brand new single “The Death of John Henry,” now available on all digital retailers and streaming platforms. The gripping track features Country Music Hall of Famer and Grammy award-winner Marty Stuart, adding his legendary touch to one of America’s most enduring well-known stories. Fans can download and/or stream the full song HERE.
“‘The Death of John Henry’ has deep roots in the history of American music. More than a century old, it was a signature tune of Uncle Dave Macon — one of the original stars of the Grand Ole Opry,” says Daniel Grindstaff. “I wanted to pay tribute to that legacy and shine a light on how the voices that built this music still influence us today. Recording a song connected to an original star of the Grand Ole Opry — and having American music legend Marty Stuart join in with his distinctive mandolin style — was a huge honor. It felt less like a session and more like a conversation across time, and an incredible way to revisit this classic ballad.”
Grounded in tradition, “The Death of John Henry” retells the classic folk story of the steel-driving man who pushed himself beyond human limits in a contest against the machine. The line “a cool drink of water ’fore I die” serves as an impactful reminder of sacrifice and struggle. Grindstaff’s banjo leads the way, supported by baritone vocals and an all-star lineup of musicians including Marty Stuart (mandolin), Kevin Richardson (lead vocals and guitar), Kent Blanton(bass), Derek Deakins (fiddle) and Shawn Lane (tenor vocals), with engineering by Stephen Burwell. The release follows Grindstaff’s No. 1 hit “Angel Dream,” which delivered a fresh Bluegrass spin on the Tom Petty classic. It went on to top the Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart in July and continued the momentum he’s built over the past two years.
A native of East Tennessee, Grindstaff has established himself as one of Bluegrass music’s premier banjo stylists. With his band The Uptown Troubadours, he has toured extensively, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in roots and acoustic music. Over the years, he has graced the iconic stage of the Grand Ole Opry countless times, performed at CMA Music Fest, and appeared on national television’s Fox & Friends. He is currently in the studio working on his next full-length album, the highly anticipated follow-up to his critically acclaimed Heroes and Friends project, which featured an impressive lineup of genre legends and collaborators including Dolly Parton, Doyle Lawson, Paul Brewster, Jimmy Fortune, Trey Hensley, Jeff Tolbert, Andy Leftwich, Rickey Wasson and Kevin Richardson.
Fans can learn more about Daniel Grindstaff, find upcoming tour dates, and stream the new single by visiting www.danielgrindstaff.com.
