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Introducing the Southwest Bluegrass All-Stars

Native and Fine Records 906-14 (2024)

The Southwest Bluegrass All-Stars bring together four renowned bluegrass musicians with deep New Mexico and Texas connections. This five-song EP features the totally original and moving songwriting of Austin, TX area guitarist-vocalist Elliott Rogers, who has worked with Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith and the Alan Munde Gazette. Las Cruces, NM-based mandolin player and vocalist Steve Smith is one of the best and most in-demand mandolin players in the world, known for his work with the nationally-touring Hard Road Trio. These days, Steve can be found out on the road with the extraordinary guitarist Tim May. The playing of Fort Sumner, NM bassist Anne Luna is graceful and elegant but also precise and hard driving. Her original songs have been nominated for two New Mexico Music Awards. Banjo and guitar player Bill Evans is a 2022 Steve Martin Banjo Prize recipient and a 2024 American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame member. Bill performed with Steve in the Virginia-based band Cloud Valley in the early 1980's. Joining the All-Stars is banjo legend Alan Munde in a double-banjo version of the Country Gazette instrumental standard from the 1970’s "Deputy Dalton."

Elliott Rogers: guitar and lead vocals
Steve Smith: mandolin, lead and harmony vocals
Bill Evans: banjo, guitar and harmony vocals
Anne Luna: bass

Bluegrass Trucker (Elliott Rogers) / Lay My Shovel Down (Elliott Rogers) / Wreck of the Old '97 & Reuben (Traditional, arr. Steve Smith & Bill Evans) / Buster and Nancy (Elliott Rogers) / Deputy Dalton (Bryon Berline & Alan Munde), with special guest Alan Munde

Produced by Bill Evans & Steve Smith. Recorded and mixed by Steve Smith at the Cave, Las Cruces, NM. Mastered by Rick DeLelis at Figmentmixing.com. Playing time: 23 minutes.
$10.00 (+ $4.50 postage)

$10.00

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Things Are Simple Tote Bag

Brand new! This high-quality natural canvas " Things Are Simple" tote bag featuring the banjo logo and song lyric from Bill’s new album lets you keep things simple on your next excursion. This high-quality USA made and printed natural canvas bag is 18" wide x 15" high x 5" gusset with 1 1/2' wide x 23' long cotton webbing handles.

Or purchase the tote bag and a CD copy of Things Are Simple together for $30 plus shipping (for a limited time only see below)

$23

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"Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans

"Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans
Native and Fine Records 906-13
Release date January 27, 2023

"Things Are Simple is a musical biography, literally a musical description of all that’s happened to me and my family in the last several years. This recording traces our journey from sorrow into joy, focusing on the love and bonds of family. I wanted to draw the listener’s attention to the melodies and the contemplative mood of these pieces and we tried keep the playing as basic and as beautiful as possible. I’m so proud of the job that everyone did on this recording. I’m hoping that this is a recording that you enjoy and find meaning in for years to come." Bill Evans






Recorded over the span of three years from 2018 to 2021 at Opus Studios in Berkeley, California, Bill assembled some of his favorite musicians to record Things Are Simple, including John Reischman (mandolin), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), and Sharon Gilchrist (bass). Four tracks, all original Bill Evans instrumentals, are powered by the incredible twin fiddle work of Chad and Brandon Godman and New Acoustic Music legend Darol Anger.

Things Are Simple marks the lead singing debut of Bill on record and these two tracks form the centerpiece of the recording. The title track "Things Are Simple," is a ballad celebrating Bill and Babi’s wedding, written and performed by them with a string quartet arranged by Alisa Rose. "True He’s Gone" is a Jim Sullivan gospel song performed by Bill and Babi with Bill’s daughter Corey featuring fiddle accompaniment from Chad in an arrangement borrowed from Herb Pedersen.

On the instrumental side, there are six original Bill Evans compositions, a well-loved John Reischman composition ("Nesser"), and an old-time favorite (the other "Chinquapin Hunting" in the key of A). All of this adds up to Bill’s most cohesive and consistent solo recording of his career and the sounds are stunning, bringing out the incredible tones of the classic, world-renowned instruments used on this recording. Mixing by David Luke and mastering from David Glasser.

Things Are Simple / Road To Ruidoso / Black Range Waltz / Sierra Blanca / True He’s Gone / Along Came Sonny / Gertie & Jake / Nesser / Midnight in Rosine / Chinquapin Hunting

What folks are saying about Things Are Simple:

"Bill Evans is not just a banjo player, he’s a thoughtful and articulate composer whose melodies speak like words about the things most dear to him. With his album, Things Are Simple, Bill has made room for the most important and the most essential. The result is a clarity of space that engages one immediately, pulling them into the room. From the stark beauty of the title song, "Things are Simple" (co-written and sung here with wife, Babi Evans), to the intricate "Along Came Sonny", Bill has successfully captured exactly all that is needed and nothing more. While this album is heavily weighted as an instrumental feature, Bill’s singing shines with a relaxed and peaceful confidence. There is joy in this music. A profound sense of joy that captivates the listener." Missy Raines, 10-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year award winner, Grammy nominee

"Things Are Simple is the latest release from Bill Evans, a 2022 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize. The project is aptly titled, with its sparse instrumentation and presentation of (almost exclusively) Bill's original material. The performances allow listeners the chance to really connect to the melodies and focus on Bill's thoughtful musicianship, as well as that of his stellar supporting cast. There is, however, nothing simple about the musical maturity and sensibility reflected in these 10 songs. This album further affirms that Bill is a seasoned pro and valued member of the banjo and bluegrass communities." Kristin Scott Benson, The Grascals

"Bill Evans is one of my absolute favorite banjo players. His touch is gorgeous and his tunes strike a beautiful balance between creativity and tradition. It’s an honor to call him a friend and mentor." Wes Corbett, Sam Bush Band

$15.00

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The Banjo in America DVD/CD set from Tiki Parlour Recordings

Order your copy now...

65 minute DVD performance video plus an accompanying CD

View video

$24.95 autographed copy

Bill Evans and Tiki Parlour Recordings have collaborated on the ultimate banjo recording set (CD & DVD) of the 21st century. Bill Evans' The Banjo in America celebrates 250 years of music performed on a variety of banjos from the Haitian-inspired banza to the Gibson Mastertone and eight other historical instruments in between. "The Banjo in America" traces the complex musical history of the banjo through two centuries of African-American and Anglo-American cultural exchange. Bill is one of the few musicians who has mastered multiple American banjo styles including 19th century stroke style, old-time finger styles, classic banjo of the ragtime era, Scruggs-style bluegrass and beyond, to his many original tunes. These styles are all displayed here, performed on a stunning variety of historic and reproduction instruments. Very few musicians have the ability and experience to boast such a dazzling display of banjo alchemy and this set is unlike any other ever recorded. Bill’s extensive liner notes provide the background and context for each piece and Tiki Parlour's stunning video work captures each performance in gorgeous detail.

"Bill Evans is one of our finest banjo players, at home in styles ranging from the earliest American repertoire to contemporary bluegrass and beyond. His The Banjo In America is a fascinating trip from the very late 18th- and mid-19th-Century styles up through Earl Scruggs's crucial innovations of the mid-20th Century, finally landing among some of Evans’ own lovely compositions. The set’s booklet provides his own erudite commentary on the historical and musical backgrounds of the selections, and the DVD is a special joy. The visual beauty of the various instruments played, and the elegance and grace of Evans’ performances, make this a valuable and very enjoyable contribution to our understanding of the development of this instrument’s roots in the African diaspora, and its flowering amid this nation’s vivid and varied history.
- Tom Piazza, author of Why New Orleans Matters and Devil Sent The Rain

"You will find none better in presenting a program on the banjo in America than banjoist Bill Evans. He couples his scholarly knowledge of the history of this wonderful Americanized instrument with his world class playing skills to elucidate and entertain at every twist and turn of the banjo's glorious journey."
- Alan Munde, 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Award recipient

"As the tape rolls on Bill Evans’ one-man show, The Banjo in America, it’s clear that one thing Evans loves about his instrument of choice is that it contains multitudes."
- Jim Borwick, Bluegrass Unlimited

$24.95

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Things Are Simple Tote Bag with Things Are Simple CD

Limited Time Offer!
Brand new! This high-quality natural canvas " Things Are Simple" tote bag featuring the banjo logo and song lyric from Bill’s new album lets you keep things simple on your next excursion. This high-quality USA made and printed natural canvas bag is 18" wide x 15" high x 5" gusset with 1 1/2' wide x 23' long cotton webbing handles. Also available without CD.

$30

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"Prime Time" by Crary, Evans & Barnick

Native and Fine Records 906-12 (2020)

Dan Crary is a pioneer of flatpicking guitar solos in a bluegrass band, right up there with founding fathers Doc Watson, Clarence White and Norman Blake in carving a role for the flatpick guitar soloist in bluegrass music. A founding member of the Bluegrass Alliance, and the "newgrass" approach, his 20+ year collaboration with Byron Berline and John Hickman (as BCH and in the bands Sundance & California) earned him numerous awards and accolades. He’s a living bluegrass legend!

Wally Barnick (bass & vocals) describes himself as “principally a singer who some 40 years ago took up playing bass guitar in order to ensure a place in the band.” That strategy has definitely worked for this wonderful singer and instrumentalist, who is at home singing and playing everything from folk and bluegrass to Bakersfield country and even some rock and roll. Wally has performed with many familiar California Americana and bluegrass groups in these past four decades, including the Cache Valley Drifters, Bluegrass, Etc., and The Hay Dudes.

Dan, Wally and Bill started performing together in 2017, performing on stages from Kansas to Washington. In 2019, Dan celebrated his 80th birthday and Wally his 70th (Bill is the young whipper snapper in the band at 63). The trio’s debut CD Prime Time is vibrant, new music celebrating these life milestones featuring their unique take on bluegrass, country, rock, gospel, Irish, and folk source material with special guest Kenny Blackwell on mandolin on six cuts. You’ll hear some reimagined favorites from Joe Ely, Steve Young, Jimmy Martin, Ron Hynes and John Hiatt, experience two new Bill Evans banjo instrumentals, “Winston’s Jig” and “Road to Ruidoso” and time travel back to 19th century for a stunning album-ending gospel medley. But that’s not all! Dan introduces his flatpicked 12-string guitar on the bluegrass instrumental “Crazy Creek” and Wally takes center stage with his warm country-tinged lead vocals on four cuts.

20/20 Vision & Clinch Mountain Backstep (Medley) / All Just To Get To You / I’ll Remember You Love In My Prayers / Crazy Creek / Sonny’s Dream / Rattlin’ Roarin’ Willie & Winston’s Jig (Medley) / Seven Bridges Road / Memphis In The Meantime / Road to Ruidoso / I’m On My Journey Home, Ecstasy, Heaven’s Light Is Shining & We Shall Rise (Medley)

$15.00

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Fletcher Bright & Bill Evans - Fine Times at Fletcher's House

Fletcher Bright & Bill Evans - Fine Times At Fletcher's House

Native and Fine Records 906-10

Fine Times at Fletcher's House: Fiddle and Banjo Music From Lookout Mountain, Tennessee brings together 81- year old Tennessee fiddling legend Fletcher Bright and Bill Evans in sixteen fiddle and banjo duet performances. Selections include familiar favorites (St. Anne's Reel, Angeline The Baker & Soldier's Joy), tunes associated with Earl Scruggs and Benny Martin (Two O'Clock), Bill Monroe compositions (Northern White Clouds, White Horse Breakdown), lesser known old-time tunes (Greasy Coat), tunes learned from good friend John Hartford (Blackjack Grove) and more recently composed tunes from Tom Anderson (Da Slokit Light), Blaine Sprouse (Blue Ridge Reel) June Drucker (Going Back To Israel).

All of the selections from Fine Times At Fletcher's House were recorded live without overdubs at Fletcher's home on top of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

"The joy that Bill and Fletcher obviously felt in working with each other comes through in every tune on this project. Their timing together is precise, their collective tone is solid, and their taste, impeccable. A happy, satisfying musical experience for all, both players and listeners." Murphy Henry, from the CD liner notes.

Yellow Barber / Two O'Clock / Polly Put The Kettle On / Scott No. 2 / Blackjack Grove / Whitehorse Breakdown / Da Slokit Light / Daley's Reel / Northern White Clouds / Blue Ridge Reel / Greasy Coat / Fiddler's Dream / Abe's Retreat & Fine Times At Our House / Liverpool Hornpipe / Going Back to Israel / St. Anne's Reel, Angeline the Baker & Soldier's Joy

Polly Put The Kettle On (sample) (mp3-1.2MB)

Da Slokit Light (sample) (mp3-1.2MB)

Whitehorse Breakdown (sample) (mp3-850K)

$15

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Classic Banjo from Smithsonian Folkways - SFW40209

A new CD featuring 30 tracks of banjo artistry from Tony Trischka & Bill Evans, Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, Mike Seeger, Elizabeth Cotton, Dock Boggs, Mick Moloney, Bill Keith and many others with a 44-page booklet with extensive notes and photos. 64 minutes of classic banjo music from the Folkways collection.

Medley: Fly Around My Blue-Eyed Girl, Cripple Creek,Ida Red,Old Joe Clark by Pete Seeger / Banging Breakdown by Hobart Smith / Johnson Boys by Frank Profitt / Peachbottom Creek by Wade Ward / Coo Coo by Dink Roberts / Josh Thomas's Roustabout by Mike Seeger / Jaw Bone by Willie Chapman / Bright Sunny South by Dock Boggs / Coal Creek March by Pete Steele / Mississippi Heavy Water Blues by Josh Thomas / Walk Light Ladies by Rufus Crisp / Buck Creek Girls by Bill Cornett / Gut Bucket Blues by Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders / Medley: Skylark and Roaring Mary by Mick Moloney / Medley: St. Anne's Reel, La Renfluse Corbeil by Ken Perlman / Smokey Mokes by Roger Sprung / Golden Bell Polka by A. L. Camp / Banjoland by Tony Trischka with Bill Evans / Sally Ann by Snuffy Jenkins / Lonesome Road Blues by Roni Stoneman / Fox Chase by Lee Sexton / Hop Along Lou by John Tyree / Cotton Eyed Joe by "Big Sweet" Lewis Hairston / Foggy Mountain Top by Ola Belle Reed / Rambling Hobo by Doc Watson / Old Rattler by John Snipes / Georgia Buck by Elizabeth Cotton / I Wish to the Lord I'd Never Been Born by Irvin Cook / Black Eye Susie by Roscoe Holcomb / Bluegrass Breakdown by Bill Keith with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.

$15.00

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Bill Evans - In Good Company

Native and Fine Records 906-9

In Good Company spotlights an all star cast of 26 musicians performing five new Evans instrumentals, a four song, ten-minute Beatles medley and songs pairing Bill with The Infamous Stringdusters (performing John Martyn's Walk to the Water), Joy Kills Sorrow (performing Sarah Siskind's On and On) and Tim O'Brien (performing Follow the Drinking Gourd). In Good Company is Bill's most accomplished and wide-ranging project to date. Includes collector's poster featuring shots from the IGC sessions!

With The Infamous Stringdusters, Tim O'Brien, Joy Kills Sorrow, Darol Anger, Cindy Browne Rosefield, Tashina & Tristan Clarridge, Stuart Duncan, Corey Evans, Matt Flinner, David Grier, Rob Ickes, Dominic Leslie, Laurie Lewis, Ned Luberecki, Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips and Missy Raines. Produced by Bill Evans, Stephen Mougin, Darol Anger & Tom Size.

The Distance Between Two Points / Walk To The Water (w/The Infamous Stringdusters) / Some Other Creek / Follow the Drinking Gourd (w/Tim O'Brien) / Big Chief Sonny / Dakota / On & On (w/Joy Kills Sorrow) / Mother Nature's Son / You've Got To Hide Your Love Away / Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds / A Hard Day's Night / They Say You're Never Lonely In Louisville

$15.00

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Bill Evans Plays Banjo

Native and Fine Records 906-3

Petersburg Gal / Germaine's Dream / Kobe Blues / Meadows of Dan / Corey's Slide / Catching the Dickens / New Black Eyed Suzie / Raising the Beams / When She Smiles / Leaving Owensboro / Lonesome Polka / Granite Chief / Heavy Traffic Ahead

With Rob Ickes (dobro), John Reischman (mandolin), Darol Anger and Greg Spatz (fiddle), Jim Nunally and Nina Gerber (guitar), Missy Raines and Todd Phillips (bass) and Steve Smith (mandola). On "Heavy Traffic Ahead," Don Rigsby (vocal), Glen Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Chris Sharp (guitar) and Mike Bub (bass).

• Named "2001 Top 10 Bluegrass CD of the Year" by David Royko, The Chicago Tribune
• Named "Top 5 Instrumental Recording of the Year" by Dave Freeman, County Sales Newsletter

$15.00

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