(Review posted originally on The AcoustiCana Journal)
What makes Monroeville so special? • First and foremost, as phenomenal as they are at presenting their band on the web and on social media – and they are among the top 5 best bluegrass, acoustic, roots bands at doing so, including those with budgets in the hundreds of thousands – there is in fact no hype. It’s all real, and they deliver the goods in the studio and on stage.
Beyond that, they say what they mean, and mean what they say. That alone in this age of “hyper-hype-plus-squared-and-doused-with-miracle-grow-and-a-prayer” is eloquent. Their direct connection-relationship with their friends-fans reminds me of the type of connection The Avett Brothers have today and The Grateful Dead had with their friends-fans in their day. That is a “back to the future” relationship the smartest artists understand; In the sense that the direct connection folks used to have with the other real folks, in the room participating in a concert-celebration and meaningful communion of spirit, also now takes place 24/7/365, beyond a set space and time via the web and social media, and it is as up close and personal, and between real people, as it is in concert.
And we haven’t even spoken of the music yet.
In communications you have the message and the meta-message. The meta-message is what is unsaid but just as clearly expressed between the lines for those paying attention. Their message is clear, and their meta-message inspiring: Their primarily bluegrass based acoustic roots music is a blend of heavy-duty rock-n-roll drive, on acoustic, by young people with high-energy levels, and which can only emerge from artists who believe, and are doing their level best, every time out, to turn you into a believer about the future for this music which they honor and love.
They are solidly rooted in tradition without being buried by tradition. They are both relentlessly respectful and fleet-footed innovative, diligent craftsmen and consistently creative. And they seem to have found that fabulous “Lonesome River Band Groove” which is enough all by its high lonesome to carry that tradition to new heights. They pack a kick and I don’t mean cans, or do I. Think Junior Johnson’s finest shine, on a moonlit night in spring, on a North Carolina backroad, leaning against the fender of your 47 Ford with your new bride in your arms. Yep, “Life is Good”.
Watch & Listen to Monroeville and you will see and hear the future of the past, and it’s lookin mighty springtime bright. Having read loads of books and articles about Ole Bill, I’ll go out on a solid limb here and say that if Bill Monroe was around, my guess is that he’d be sayin “That’s part of somethin”
If Bill was the father of Bluegrass, and Sam Bush “The Mother”*, then I’m thinkin these are mighty “cool kids” of Bluegrass.
Monroeville
In Who’s Who in AcoustiCana • http://on.fb.me/acousticana-monroeville
FaceBook • www.facebook.com/monroevilleband
WebSite • www.monroevilleband.com
SoniBids • www.sonicbids.com/monroevilleband
Become a Citizen of Monroeville • www.monroevilleband.com/register
Twitter • www.twitter.com/monroevilleband
MySpace • www.myspace.com/monroevillemusic
Management – Sheri Clark Media • www.shericlarkmedia.com
Publicity – Blu Wav • www.blu-wav.com
“I am having an amazing time working with Monroeville. These guys are so talented and musically mature beyond their age. They are pushing the boundaries of the acoustic music genre.”
– David Hall – GRAMMY® Award-winning Engineer
“I have really been enjoying the creative process working on this project with Monroeville. There is a real strong sense of trust and a synergy that seems to keep things positively charged, loose, and fun. Everybody is relaxed, but determined to make the best music we possibly can. I think we’ve discovered some very unique group sounds together in the studio, something dynamic and organic. It’s all happened very naturally. Their willingness to take chances coupled with an incredibly mature “one for all, all for one” mentality has made producing these guys on their debut project an absolute pleasure! I’m already looking forward to starting the next one!!”
– Jim VanCleve – GRAMMY® Nominated Producer and Musician with Mountain Heart
“Monroeville’s current day adaptation of “Country Blues” highlights this emerging ensemble’s talent while promising an exciting future.”
– Jamie S. Dailey Rounder Recording Artist for Dailey and Vincent
About the Author
Founder-Developer of The Bluegrass Legacy & The AcoustiCana Journal, Henri Deschamps, is a Partner & the CEO of The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. The Mast Farm Inn is a world renowned award winning full service North Carolina Country Inn & Restaurant in Historic Valle Crucis, NC, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a Member of PAII and Of The Select Registry. Read More…
Read more posts from the AcoustiCana Journal here
*Sam Bush used to say that if Bill was the father of Blugrass then he must be the mother of Bluegrass because every time Bill saw him coming he would say “Here Comes That Mother”
