Album Notes

A CD of previously unrecorded old-time music..."fresh blood" for old-time music players and enthusiasts, all from genuine traditional sources. And on top of that, it's great old-time music.

It's unusual for a current old-time music group to perform music that has not been released on any previous recording, that comes from an area of America not generally thought of as being a major source of old-time music, or that is native to those who perform it.

All of these things are true of The New Mules' "Pride of America". Fiddler Garry Harrison learned the local music of his native downstate Illinois the old-time way, from his father and in person at the homes of elderly players from the area. Just as those folks learned and as Garry learned from them, Garry's daughter Genevieve in turn learned to play the fiddle in the old style, her first guidance being from her father.

Garry and Gena joined with some of the area's finest players to form the New Mules. Abby Ladin plays the bass, Smith Koester the banjo, and Andy Gribble the guitar. Their music is from authentic traditional sources and includes both rare and obscure old gems and previously unheard versions of better-known numbers. The group brings renewed life to this music with their own unique arrangements and performances, and no one has more fun in doing it.

The New Mules were honored with the award of First Prize in the Traditional Band competition at the Appalachian String Band Festival, Clifftop, West Virginia, August 2, 2008.

You are welcomed and encouraged to visit The New Mules' website. The link is at the bottom of the links above on the left side of this page.