The Grascals (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Bobby Osborne (vocals, mandolin); Dolly Parton, Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge (vocals); David Talbot (acoustic guitar, banjo); Lloyd Green, Terry Crisp (steel guitar); Andy Hall (dobro); Jimmy Mattingly (mandolin, fiddle); Danny Roberts (mandolin); Bob Mater, Tom Roady (percussion).

Additional personnel: Kent Wells (guitar); Dolly Parton, Lloyd Green, Terry Crisp, Bob Mater, Andy Hall , Tom Roady, Bobby Osborne.

Audio Mixer: Patrick Murphy.

Liner Note Author: Jon Weisberger.

Recording information: Quad Studios, Nashville, TN.

Author: Dolly Parton.

Photographer: Henry Diltz.

Pitching out some straight-up incredibly accomplished bluegrass, the Grascals come out of the gate surprising many, immediately bringing forward the question, "Is this really a debut album?" Understanding that each member of the Grascals have been sidemen for various country and bluegrass artists explains how they were able to secure such heavy guests as Dolly Parton and Bobby Osborne, and alternately explains the precision in each note played on the album, but it is still impressive to note how comfortable the sextet seems with each other as they churn out such standards as Red Allen's "Teardrops on My Mind" and "Viva Las Vegas" (the latter with Parton as guest). What ultimately comes across on this self-titled debut is that the members each have found their place, likely both exciting and depressing their former employers, for a project whose name may very well seep into the consciousness of bluegrass aficionados next to the greats' names long since established in that genre's vernacular. ~ Gregory McIntosh minimize