In Tim O’Brien’s music, things come together. The uncanny intersection of traditional and contemporary elements in his songwriting, his tireless dedication to a vast and still-expanding array of instruments, and his ongoing commitment to place himself in as many unique and challenging musical scenarios as possible has made him a key figure in today’s thriving roots music scene – and well beyond it. O’Brien’s presence – be it as a bandleader, songwriter, mentor, instrumentalist, or vocalist – has been strongly felt not only in his own rich music, but in the many recordings of his songs by such artists as the Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Nickel Creek, Kathy Mattea, the New Grass Revival, and the Seldom Scene, and in his recorded collaborations with Steve Martin, the Chieftains, and innumerable others. Most recently, O’Brien has been performing before capacity crowds in the band of Mark Knopfler, who described O’Brien as “a master of American folk music, Irish music, Scottish music – it doesn't matter; a fine songwriter and one of my favorite singers.”

Bryan Sutton seemed to come out of nowhere as part of Ricky Skaggs’ return to bluegrass in 1997. Bluegrass Unlimited’s review of “Bluegrass Rules!” took special note of his “spellbinding solos…[which] establish him as a musician who bears close scrutiny,” while an appearance on Tina Adair’s “Just You Wait And See” (Sugar Hill) led another reviewer to call him “a guitarist to be reckoned with.” All in all, it was a remarkable welcome for a young musician. Born near Asheville, NC, guitarist Bryan Sutton picked up the guitar at the age of eight and immersed himself in rock and jazz playing, but the rhythms and melodies of bluegrass pickin’ held his attention the strongest. After high school, Sutton toured for two years backing gospel artist Karen Peck before joining the contemporary country/gospel band Mid South. Landing in Nashville, he found plenty of studio work playing not only guitar, but fiddle, mandolin, and banjo as well, which led to a meeting with Ricky Skaggs and a subsequent spot on Kentucky Thunder’s roster. His years with Skaggs kept the rising star busy, but he still found time to work with Aubrey Haynie, Jerry Douglas, Don Rigsby, Bobby Hicks, and Melic. Sutton parted ways with Kentucky Thunder in early 1999 and found session work with Rhonda Vincent, the Dixie Chicks, and Dolly Parton, and was honored by the International Bluegrass Music Association as 2000′s “Guitar Player of the Year.” Acoustic label Sugar Hill Records was more than happy to release his solo debut, 2000′s “Ready to Go” (featuring guest appearances by collaborators Douglas, Skaggs, and Parton), and its follow-up, the more subdued and appropriately named “Bluegrass Guitar”.