Tim O’Brien is a national treasure. He has cast rare magic as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for more than half a century. Tim rocketed to prominence in the early 1980s as the lead vocalist, mandolinist, and fiddler for the legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize. But his musical journey began in his hometown of Wheeling, WV where young Tim soaked up folk, rock, gospel, blues and pop influences from records, radio, church, siblings, and the school glee club. Those inspirations launched Tim on a lifelong journey of discovery through American roots music and its Scots-Irish antecedents. Along the way he has won two Grammys and been inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of Hot Rize. His originals have been covered by Billy Strings, Phish, Dierks Bentley, Kathy Mattea, The Chicks, Garth Brooks, and Nickel Creek, among others. Here are music and lyrics to 40 Tim O’Brien songs, a retrospective cornucopia demonstrating the breadth of his musical, narrative, poetic, and philosophical gifts. Included are Tim’s unique insights into singing and songwriting informed by decades of working his craft. Read. Sing. Learn.
Order the Tim O’Brien Songbook HERE
Ben Eldridge is one of the most beloved and influential bluegrass banjo players of his generation. Here he plots the course of a kid from Richmond, VA who fell in love with hillbilly music watching the Old Dominion Barn Dance. He moved to the Washington, DC area after college to work as a mathematician and played for fun at jam sessions. A string of unlikely events led to the creation of the supergroup Seldom Scene in 1971, a progressive band that changed the course of bluegrass music. Here are Ben’s recollections, some sage advice, key licks and 23 pathbreaking solos. Plenty to dig into for the serious Ben Eldridge banjo fan – and anyone who loves a good story.
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Barcroft Books is a specialty publisher dedicated to sharing the stories, knowledge and genius of America’s great roots musicians. The company is based in Falls Church, VA.