From the “It’s who you know” file …

Talk about fortunate! How fortunate are we at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room to be able to say “We knew y’all way back when …” regarding James Kee and the East Nash Grass Band? 

TWO CHANCES TO HEAR A SNEAK PEEK OF THE ALBUM:
THURSDAY, JUNE 17 - BURLAP WILLOW CIGAR CLUB NIGHT
SATURDAY, JUNE 19 - SUMMER SOLSTICE SHINDIG & MOTORCYCLE SHOW

James Kee has been in the house band at the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree since 2008 or so, and this year, he’s joined by bandmate Cory Walker, banjo-player extraordinaire.  Maddie Denton who plays fiddle in East Nash Grass has won the Jamboree fiddle competition on more than one occasion.   The other members of the band are just as accomplished on their instruments, as proven by their degrees, awards, and of course by actually hearing these young folks playing their a___s off. 

Geoff Saunders, Bass: 2017 doctorate in jazz studies, Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album.

Harry Clark, Guitar: Talented multi-instrumentalist who has worked with everyone from the IBMA-phenoms Volume V to the jamgrass-y The Wooks.

Gaven Largent, Dobro: A lifetime of musical experience has distinguished him among his peers, netting appearances on the Opry since his early teens, touring stints with Blue Highway and Dailey & Vincent, and recognition for his prowess not only as an instrumentalist but also as a luthier and bonafide resourceful countryman.

Well, because we are lucky enough to KNOW these folks and have hosted James Kee and his friends on the Burlap Room stage many times, they are allowing us all a SNEAK PEEK at their forthcoming self-titled album, to be released in Mid-July, 2021. The SNEAK PEEK(s) are on Thursday, 6/17/21 at a Burlap Willow Cigar Night and again at Summer Solstice Shindig & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, 6/19/21. 

Back to the “who you know” deal — Bert Driver’s Grandpa, Bobo Driver was a musician/ bandleader/ singer in the Southeast, and locally in the Upper Cumberland area back in the 40’s and 50’s.  

Bobo Driver and a few of his closest compadres came up with the Fiddlers’ Jamboree concept, and was pretty much responsible for the recruitment of talent, and subsequent success and growth of this truly unique annual event, with 2021’s Jamboree being the 50th Annual edition- now termed as “The Official Festival of the State of Tennessee”. 

So, here we are—Bert Driver channeling the vision of Bobo Driver,  James Kee being so instrumental (pun intended) in the musical improvements at the Jamboree over the recent years, East Nash Grass releasing their brand new album/CD in July, 2021…. and they “just happen” to be playing one month earlier at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room, where all of us can get a SNEAK PEEK of the hot new material on their CD, and share in their unique “bluegrass with an edge” excellent live performances.

Like I said, “It’s who you know”….