u/BluegrassRoadshow

Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
5/1/26 Friendly Valley Tavern Peoria, IL
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A traditional Appalachian banjo tune dating back to truly who knows when. There is no one particular credited composer but it was first recorded by Tommy Jarrell in 1976 on his album, Sail Away Ladies. In the recording he recalls learning the tune from his brother in law in who learned it from a local African picker named Jim Raleigh. Furthermore, Appalachian guitarist Betsy Rutherford claims to have learned the song from her uncle Fields Ward, who claims he learned the tune from an unknown African banjoist in West Virginia in the early 1900s. Could this unknown musician be the same one that taught the song to Jarrell’s Brother? Whoever wrote the dang thing, hats off to em’. For all you musicians out there, this track was originally played in the key of A if that means anything to ya.
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On lead vocals and Banjo we have Russell Pedersen belting out that rugged sound. Collin Mettelka stepped in after verse 1 to let us all hear his fiddle sing that sweet mountain music. Watch the way Davey hits the Miller Lite reload and then steps up to the mic to assert his dominance with the mouth organs.
Guitarist Adam Gruel broke into a short clogging breakdown there for a second. Samual was hiding out holding it down with a big smile on his face all night long keeping that bass upright and the band in line. If you haven’t gotten the chance to see Horseshoes & Hand Grenades over the last 15 years you best get out there, I think it’s safe to say they’re better than ever right now. Everything gets better with age, including bluegrass music.
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Be sure to checkout my website and YouTube for more!
bluegrassroadshow.com

“Away From The Mire”
10/24/2025 Orion Amphitheater Hunstville, AL
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The pairing of Bluegrass Music & Suit Jackets is a deep rooted tradition, often credited to Bill Monroe, that signifies respect for the audience and the music. You always know it’s going to be a good show when Billy comes out in a blazer. Something was in the air Night 2 of Huntsville, there must’ve been a dress code. All of the Lazy Boys came out like they were headed to a family holiday. With Jarrod rocking a Black & White wool sweater & Royal in a turtleneck the boys meant business. The show was full of traditionals like Black Mountain Rag, Reuben’s Train, Ashland Breakdown and Sophronie. The second set featured a 10 month gap Steam Powered Aero Plane followed by a 15 Steps Encore, RIP Jeff.
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Be sure to check the Instagram, YouTube, & Website for more!
bluegrassroadshow.com

“Y’all Come”
05/02/26 Atomic Block Party St. Louis, MO
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Just a few weeks back, Atomic by JAMO hosted Leftover Salmon’s Arch Deluxe Block Party which featured two nights of Salmon & Mountain Grass Unit, with varying opening acts. Each group played their own sets but both nights Vince Herman invited members of Mountain Grass Unit onstage to help cap things off for the nights. On Saturday they played the old classic Bluegrass goodbye, “Yall Come!”
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Bluegrass music at its core is about roots and tradition and some of these songs we know and love today wouldn’t be a thing if their predecessors weren’t passed down and remembered. The genre can be looked at in eras, each with highs and lows. Leftover Salmon came out in a time of transition for the scene, the early 90s gave way to a more progressive sound, the Colorado sound if you will. Shortly after came The String Cheese Incident, then later Yonder Mountain String Band. Each creating their own unique sound while keeping tradition alive and paving the way for what we know as Bluegrass today. Fast forward we have MGU, one of the hottest young acts in the scene co-headlining a festival and sharing a stage with the 35+ year old band. Pay attention to the way Vince looks at Luke Black in awe as he takes his solo about half way through. I keep hearing it time and time again this year, but it’s safe to say Bluegrass is in darn good hands.
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Be sure to checkout our Instagram, YouTube, & Website for more!
http://bluegrassroadshow.com