CD Release Delivers the Groundhawgs from Shadows of the Spotlight

Its not that their shadows are behind them, but that the spotlight is blinding. In support of their first album, an independent self-titled release, the Groundhawgs will perform their eclectic blend of bluegrass and Americana at Eddies Attic in Decatur, GA on August 14, 2004 at 7:00 pm.

(PRWEB) August 12, 2004 -- The show is open to all ages and will be broadcasted live via the Internet. For ticket information, call 404-377-4976 or visit www.eddiesattic.com. The Groundhawgs will perform live on WRFG 89.3 on Friday, August 13th at 7:30pm.

Artwork by Cooper Sanchez will be on display at the show. Cooper and Michelle [Williams, his fiancé, did the album art and design. Im absolutely thrilled by the work theyve done," said Clayton Jones. See www.coopersancez.com for more information.

The Groundhawgs is a six-piece string band from Calhoun, GA. The two brothers, Clayton and Clark Jones, front the band. Theyve been playing their blend of bluegrass and Americana for the last several years. The ghost of Gram Parsons haunts the brothers. Consequently, they originally conceived the Groundhawgs as a songwriting project that would resurrect the sound of Americana and old-time Appalachian string bands. Their eclectic blend of American roots music evolved into a six-piece bluegrass outfit.

The album was co-produced by Clayton Jones and Mike Compton. Compton plays mandolin for the Nashville Bluegrass Band. Compton is known most recently for his work on the Oh, Brother! Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain soundtracks. He appears on ten of twelve tracks on the album courtesy of Sugar Hill Records.

Copies of the CD will be available for purchase at the performance, on the bands website (www.thegroundhawgs.com), Donnas Art Gallery in Atlanta, and various record stores throughout the Southeast.

Clayton Jones is the lead vocalist and banjo player for the Groundhawgs. Clark Jones and Joseph Evans, rhythm and lead guitar respectively, sing the occasional lead vocal as well. Evans is brother-in-law of the Jones brothers. Jason Timms, also a Calhoun native, plays upright bass for the band. Bobby Miller, former frontman for Atlanta-based progressive bluegrass band Cornfusion, plays fiddle. Jonathon Weaver, also from Calhoun, sings high tenor for the band. Jesse Daniels, mandolin and background vocals, is from Fort Payne, Alabama. He is the newest addition to the Groundhawgs. Daniels is filling in for Russell Cook, also from Calhoun. Cooks wife, Cameron Federal Cook, is expected to give birth to their daughter-Frankie Lee-sometime this week. We want to dedicate this release to Frankie Lee," said Clayton Jones. Were lucky to find someone like Jesse to fill in for Russell," said Jones. This is a real special time for everybody involved," he said.

The legendary clarinet player, Kasper Stranger" Malone, appears on two of the tracks. He celebrates his 95 birthday this year. It is an honor to record with someone like Stranger," said Clayton Jones. Malone was the first clarinetist to appear on early string-band recordings for Columbia in the late 1920s. He has recorded with the Skillet Lickers, as well as Clayton McMichen and His Georgia Wildcats. [Malone truly bridges the gap between musical genres," he said.

The Groundhawgs met Malone through Russell McClanahan. McClanahan is a singer-songwriter from Rome, GA. In addition to harmonica work on the album, he plays mandolin with the Groundhawgs when time allows.

[McClanahan is like the daddy of the band. Without him, we never would have gotten this recording," said Clayton Jones.

The Groundhawgs will play at the 2004 Blueridge Harvest Festival. See www.harvestfest.com for more info.