News

Virginia Selected for IBMA SongwriterShowcase! 

Gary's song "Virginia" has been selected for the 2019 IBMA Songwriter Showcase that will be held on September 26 at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh.  Check it out in Audio!

 

It's Here!

East of Monroe's debut CD, By The River's Edge, is now available at CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, eastofmonroe.com and other retailers.  For more information, please visit: http://cdbaby.com/cd/eastofmonroe

 

 

Two Wammie Nominations!

 Gary received two Wammie nominations from the Washington Area Music Association for the 30th annual Washington Area Music Awards: Bluegrass Instrumentalist and Bluegrass Recording (with Gary Gene Ferguson for Some Bridges).

 

Thanks everyone and congratulations to the other nominees!

 

IBMA Songwriter Showcase! 

Gary's song "Southern Train" was selected for the 2015 IBMA Songwriter Showcase that was held at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh.

 

Ferguson & Ferguson - Some Bridges

Ferguson & Ferguson "Some Bridges" EP is now available on CDBaby, Amazon and iTunes. Including five original songs and one classic number, the recording features performances by Ron Stewart and Mark Schatz and was engineered by George Hodgkiss. 

 

 

Here is what noted musicologist Jack Bernhardt says about "Some Bridges:" 

"Bluegrass fans and fans of good music generally, may want to check out Ferguson and Ferguson, 'Some Bridges.' Although they claim no genealogical nexus, Gary Gene Ferguson and Gary Alan Ferguson connect through music in ways that have brought acclaim for their six-song CD, “Some Bridges.” Acoustic and, for the most part bluegrass artists, the two Garys contribute original songs that also venture into swing (“Chase Away the Blues”) and blues (“Walking Boss”).  Both musicians are seasoned veterans whose performance and/or writing credits include the Gary (Gene) Ferguson Band, Claire Lynch, and John Starling. Gary Gene’s 'Last Day at Gettysburg' was a hit for Larry Sparks. This six-pack home brew epitomizes thoughtful lyrics, soulful melodies, emotive vocals, and compelling arrangements."

 

Check out the reviews! 

 

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East of Monroe - By The River's Edge East Of Monroe’s debut album titled By The River’s Edge has been six years in the making. The recording represents two different lineups, but sounds surprisingly cohesive reflecting the excellent songwriting of current members Gary Alan Ferguson and Jackie Frost and former member Emily Timberlake. The album fits comfortably in the contemporary bluegrass genre, using the standard lineup of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, resophonic guitar (Dobro), and bass, but stretching song forms outside of the traditional three or four chords. This often gives the songs an acoustic folk country feel, an instant antidote to the slick country pop heard on the radio. The earlier lineup featuring Timberlake on vocals and the late Dave Giegerich on Dobro are heard on the Timberlake originals Careless Thing, Goodbye Letter, and Lyin’ Awake At Night; a Patty Griffin cover - When It Don’t Come Easy and a swing tune, Undecided. Careless Thing has a beautiful aching lead vocal by Timberlake tastefully backed by Giegerich’s dobro. Lyin’ Awake At Night shows the wonderful blend of Timberlake’s lead vocals with harmonies by guitarist Jackie Frost and banjo player Richard Ward. Frost is the featured lead vocal on When It Don’t Come Easy, which brings to mind the 70s west coast country rock of Linda Ronstadt. The swing standard Undecided (which was made famous by both Ella Fitzgerald and The Ames Brothers with Les Brown’s orchestra) has Frost’s playful vocals with a bouncy swing feel, accented by Giegerich’s Dobro and Ferguson’s gypsy influenced guitar. Sadly, Giegerich passed away shortly after the first recording session. It was a hard loss for the band personally and musically and By The River’s Edge is dedicated to Giegerich’s memory. The core of Gary Alan Ferguson on guitar, bassist Billy Budd, Richard Ward, and Jackie Frost added Lisa Kay Howard on mandolin and Wally Hughes on fiddle and Dobro who are heard on the later recordings here. Ferguson’s wide variety of song styles can be heard on the folky title song and One Letter, which also has some tasty fiddle playing by Hughes. Ferguson takes a more traditional bluegrass approach on No Me And You which has a nice round of instrumental breaks with Hughes on fiddle, Ward on banjo, Howard on mandolin, and Ferguson on guitar. Too Many Nights also has a traditional feel and wouldn’t sound out of place on a Ralph Stanley album. By The River’s Edge is a very enjoyable album in a style the band themselves describe as Americana bluegrass. Hopefully this is just the beginning of their musical exploration. Stephen Hu, October 2016” - Stephen Hu

— Free Lance Star

Ferguson and Ferguson Album: Some Bridges Label: Self Released Tracks: 6 Website: http://www.fergusonandferguson.net Two great voices steeped in the country tradition with the same name. What are the chances? Gary Alan Ferguson and Gary Gene Ferguson from Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively share a love of songwriting that encapsulates Old Timey, Americana and Bluegrass with a modern contemporary edge. A sound that immediately stops you in your tracks. Ferguson and Ferguson's new release 'Some Bridges' is a collection of five original songs and one classic wrapped up in a neat, slick production by George Hodgkiss at Phoenix Productions in Browntown, Virginia. The opening title track bursts out of the starting blocks with superb vocals and guitar work from Gary Alan Ferguson and classy fiddle playing from Ron Stewart. This is exactly what every good Bluegrass song should make you feel from it's opening refrain - Joyful! Gary Gene replies with a stunning song 'Henry Hill' which he wrote with Irish songwriter Shane Sullivan. It shows the influence of his constant trips to the Emerald Isle with it's beautiful country melody entwined with the theme of war and the sadness of the author writing a letter from the battlefield. 'Chase away the Blues' ticks all my boxes especially with a hint of the late Dan Hicks and it once again marks Gary Alan as one of the finest and respected guitar pickers in the USA. 'Love in the Dark' finally takes the collection in the right direction with both singers proving how well they work together vocally. A song typical of Gary Gene's collection and one that marks him out as a serious songwriter. The contemporary quality of Gary Alan's voice and writing on 'I'm Still here' adds another layer to this lovely recording and even though my preference is to hear more original songs 'Walking Boss' manages to merge the two Gary's styles. This classic song allows us to take a gentle pickin' stroll along the fretboard, winding and reminding us how talented this duo are. David Dee Moore   www.theacousticyard.com” - David Dee Moore

Fatea

FERGUSON & FERGUSON
 -- SOME BRIDGES It was kind of destined that these two Garys would end up playing together, as both are from the Eastern U.S. Gary Gene Ferguson is from southern Pennsylvania and Gary Alan Ferguson is from the Fredericksburg, Va., area. Both have been involved in bluegrass music for many years—Gary Gene with his own Gary Ferguson Band, as well as with the late Mike Auldridge, Ron and Rob McCoury, Bill Emerson, Jimmy Gaudreau, Sally Love, and others. Gary Alan has performed with Knoxville Grass, Virginia Squires, John Starling, Claire Lynch, and others. The two teamed up for a tour of Ireland in 2014, which was quite successful. Upon their return, they decided to record and the result is this new six-song EP, which contains their original tunes and a cover of the old chain-gang song “Walking Boss.” They are accompanied on this project by Ron Stewart and Mark Schatz. Gary Gene plays guitar and Gary Alan plays guitar, mandolin, and bass. Both are good vocalists and blend their harmonies together well. For originals, Gary Gene contributed “Henry Hill” (another of his Civil War songs) and “Love In The Dark.” Gary Alan wrote “Chase Away The Blues” and “I’m Still Here” and they co-wrote “Some Bridges Are Meant To Burn.” This is a really nice collaboration from the Garys and hopefully more to come in the future. (www.fergusonandferguson.net)BF” - Bill Foster

— Bluegrass Unlimited