The Bluegrass Sound is a compelling CD featuring sixteen new songs and tunes by singer/mandolinist Jack Tottle along with the winners of eighty-seven International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards and fourteen Grammys. The album showcases the exceptional musicianship of legendary innovators Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas and Bela Fleck, super-pickers Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, Tim Stafford, Charlie Cushman, Glen Rose and Mark Schatz, plus premier vocalists Pat Enright, Wayne Taylor and Ronnie and Del McCoury.

For anyone with more than a passing interest in bluegrass, The Bluegrass Sound not only provides some excellent new music, but also highlights modern bluegrass’ close and vital relationship with its roots. There are songs about remarkable musical figures – both well-known and obscure. There are vocals and instrumentals which are intimately linked with the dance tunes, traditional mountain songs, blues, jazz and gospel music from which bluegrass has drawn inspiration over the years. As award-winning guitarist Dan Crary remarks, “If you’re new to bluegrass music this CD is maybe the best introduction ever recorded. Or, if you’re a veteran fan, it’s about to be the next great bluegrass album.”

A twenty-page booklet – complete with abundant photographs – provides numerous insights into the roots of bluegrass as reflected by the music contained in The Bluegrass Sound. In addition, CD-ROM technology allows the listener to access – and to print out if desired – an additional thirty-six pages of information about the players, the history of bluegrass music, listening suggestions and more. For back porch or living room musicians (of whom there are many among bluegrass aficionados) the Bluegrass Sound Song Book is also included on CD-ROM with lyrics and chord charts.

Jack Tottle is an internationally known musician, author, and composer. Numerous bluegrass artists including James King, the Bluegrass Cardinals and Blue Highway have recorded his songs. (For three months Blue Highway’s recording of his “It’s a Long, Long Road” was #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s national airplay charts and his “I’d Rather Be a Lonesome Pine” was nominated for IBMA’s Song of the Year award.) Tottle is also the founder and director of the Bluegrass and Country Music Program at East Tennessee State University, now in its seventeenth year and the only program of its kind at a four-year institution. Among its alumni are such noted musicians as Adam Steffey, Barry Bales and Tim Stafford, all of whom have won Grammy awards for their work with Alison Krauss and Union Station. Other alumni include Rounder recording artist Beth Stevens, of the Stevens Sisters, and country star Kenny Chesney, who was recently named best new male vocalist by the Academy of Country Music.