Album Notes

When these boys hit the stage, better grab on to the edge of your seats 'cause you're in for an intense ride! Banjo, mandolin, guitar, upright bass and even twin fiddles will have you jumping up and down.

Long steeped in the bluegrass tradition, Big Spike has a particular love for the edgy sounds of early bluegrass and vintage country music. They jump easily from Bill Monroe to Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, from the Delmore Brothers to George Jones and Webb Pierce done bluegrass style.

On this CD, however, they feature primarily their own classic-sounding original material done in the traditional style. Thirteen of fourteen tunes here are their own and destined to become standards. Accomplished instrumentalists, their emphasis is instead on their trio and quartet harmonies.

Here's what Bluegrass Unlimited said about this CD:

"...an imaginative collection of high grade bluegrass." "From every aspect, 'Cheatin', Lying, Leavin', Crying' is a first-class production assured to elevate the visibility of Big Spike."

Here's what some fans have said about Big Spike:

"WOW!... Outstanding talent, what harmony, you took my breath away!!"
"Their original material is just waiting to be covered by the "pro" bands. Great stuff."
"...As good as any professional band I've heard!"
"...lively, engaging and very entertaining! The talent and skill of its members really comes out in their style and charm."
"Everytime I hear this group it makes me wanna just get up and dance!!"
"I love it! This is what country music used to sound like."


Big Spike's members have played with groups all over the eastern United States. Their resume includes stints with Two Chord Jones, The David Bromberg Band, Three Wheel Drive, Lost Posse, Buck and the Blackcats, the Spark Gap Wonder Boys, Wild Branch, Hilltop String Band, Spare Parts, and The Yankee Rebels.

Big Spike consists of Bill Gaston (5-string banjo), Freeman Corey (fiddle), Pete Langdell (guitar), Mike Santosusso (bass) and Neil Rossi (mandolin and fiddle).