Rocky Mountain’s Own Kort McCumber In The Studio With Russ Lawton

Rocky Mountain sensation Kort McCumber in the studio with Russ Lawton

by B. Dutch Seyfarth

Colorado has numerous musical icons across various genres; musicians who defy the landlocked far flung status of our rocky mountain region from other population centers of the USA. True, it is not easy to be a professional touring musician from Colorado, never has been. Colorado’s musical ambassadors must travel much greater distances to spread their music. Yet for all the logistical difficulties Colorado musicians may have stacked against them, somehow, they seem to flourish. No matter what the reason for Colorado’s nationwide musical success through the decades, we are fortunate to be able to add Colorado resident Kort McCumber to the list.

Kort McCumber, from Gold Hill, Colorado (just up Boulder Canyon towards Nederland ) has in just a few short years established himself nationwide as a masterful storyteller through his beautifully crafted songs. With an estimated 1,000 gigs and 50,000 road miles of touring behind him in the recent past, it’s fair to say Kort McCumber is firmly committed to the troubadour lifestyle so many Colorado musicians before him have travelled. It helps that the music he so lovingly crafts is so enjoyable and soothing to one’s soul.

For fans of traditional country and bluegrass music, Kort McCumber is currently working on the follow-up to his critically acclaimed “Licksillet Road” album which featured musical heavyweights Sally Van Meter and Vince Gill. The new album recorded once again at Southview Arts studio in Vermont will again feature his sister Beth Wilberger on violin, friend and co-producer Jim Gilmour, and this time with well known drummer Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band fame. Nearly all of the songs on the forthcoming new album have been road tested since last year. So lucky fans may have had a chance to hear some of the upcoming album tracks already. According to Kort’s sister Beth “you can expect a rootsier, more blues-y feel to the next album”. The new album is tentatively scheduled for a late spring release. Of course people new to Kort’s unique rocky mountain brand of music can also check out the recently released live DVD of Kort McCumber performing live at the Boulder Theater.

Fans of country and bluegrass music are encouraged to visit Kort’s websites:

www.myspace.com/kortmccumber
www.kortmusic.com