Album Notes

Portland based, neo-traditional bluegrass group Sam Hill was a perennial favorite amongst bluegrass music fans in the Pacific Northwest for about a dozen years until their breakup at the beginning of 2005. Three critically acclaimed CD’s chock full of impressive, traditional sounding original songs, as well as exciting stage shows, had helped boost the group’s popularity and brought them to many of the West Coast’s major festivals.

Sam Hill also performed across the United States, touring New England, making an appearance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, as well as showcasing at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual trade show in Louisville, Kentucky. \"Hard Luck & Trouble,\" their second CD released in 1997, features the original Sam Hill line-up with Jeff Smith on mandolin, Doug Sammons on guitar, Dave Trainer on fiddle, Dave Chalupsky on banjo, and Rick Winter on bass. The title song \"Hard Luck & Trouble,\" penned by Jeff Smith, was recorded by Laurie Lewis on her Laurie Lewis and Her Bluegrass Pals CD. The CD features 13 original songs.