As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the changing of the seasons emerges. In our humble opinion, few genres capture the essence of autumn better than bluegrass, old-time, and country music. From the soulful melodies of Ashby Frank's "Blue Night" to the haunting beauty of Morgan Harris's "Lonesome Road," this collection of premieres showcases the timeless appeal of these rootsy, heartfelt sounds.

Immerse Yourself in the Autumnal Ambiance of These Captivating Tunes

Ashby Frank's Bluegrass Jam Session Classic

Mandolinist and songwriter Ashby Frank has been performing the bluegrass standard "Blue Night" for over two decades, and his latest studio recording captures the energy and passion of his live performances. With a modern vibe that still pays homage to the traditional sound, Frank's version of this jam session staple is a must-listen for fans of the genre. The track features a talented ensemble of musicians, including Seth Taylor on acoustic guitar, Travis Anderson on bass, and Matt Menefee on banjo, creating a rich, dynamic tapestry of sound.Frank's enthusiasm for the song is palpable, as he explains, "I've been performing 'Blue Night' on stage since my Mashville Brigade days and still include it on most shows these days with my own band. It's a staple song in the jam scene and there have been so many great versions recorded throughout the years since it was written and originally recorded by the great Kirk McGee. When I was doing pre-production for this new record, I started looking for a more traditional sounding up-tempo song, only to realize that I have been performing 'Blue Night' for 20 years – and the only recordings of my version are live videos floating around the internet. So it made perfect sense to record it. I am so thrilled about the version we wound up with in the studio. It has a certain in-your-face modern vibe, but also sounds like traditional bluegrass at the same time. I'm so excited for everyone to hear it!"

Morgan Harris's Haunting Interpretation of a Bluegrass Standard

Guitarist Morgan Harris offers a stunning rendition of the bluegrass and old-time standard "Lonesome Road," drawing inspiration from the playing of Tennessee banjo player Addie Leffew. Harris's version, recorded live in a friend's barn in Fort Collins, Colorado, captures the stark, ambiguous tonality and haunting beauty of Leffew's original. By reinterpreting the song on the guitar and experimenting with different tunings, Harris has created a captivating and unique take on this timeless folk classic."This arrangement of 'Lonesome Road' takes inspiration from the playing of Addie Leffew, a Tennessee banjo player who was recorded by Peter Hoover in the early 1960s," Harris explains. "You can find a million different variants of this song throughout the recorded history of American folk music, but her version hooked me with its stark, ambiguous tonality and the way the usually repeated vocal refrain at the end of each line becomes a purely instrumental echo. Addie's version became a jumping off point as I moved it over to the guitar (re-tuning to mimic the modal 'sawmill' tuning of her banjo) and started exploring the different opportunities that yielded."

Garrett Owen's Melancholy and Introspective Country Gem

Country and Americana singer-songwriter Garrett Owen's new album, "Memoriam," showcases his talent for crafting deeply personal and emotionally resonant music. The track "Punchline" is a standout, a deliciously melancholy and introspective number built on excellent guitar playing. Owen's lyrics delve into the isolation and self-reflection that can come with difficult life experiences, offering a poignant and relatable exploration of the human condition."In truth, I wish it had nothing to do with my personal experience," Owen shares. "I started writing this when I was realizing just how isolated I let myself get, when I'd been taking care of my grandmother as a full-time job and the pandemic had been going on for a couple years. Lyrically, the song looks at the danger of leaning on the comforting words of others. In reality, 'you'll be alright' doesn't solve problems. Friends are not therapists. And it's important to be able to self-soothe your way through dark, dark feelings because there won't always be someone available to talk to. Some wounds don't heal, but feelings usually pass."

The Ruta Beggars' Energetic "Power Waltz"

Boston-based string band The Ruta Beggars bring their unique brand of high-energy bluegrass to the table with their new song, "Taking My Time." Described as a "power waltz," the track is a nod to the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, and his tradition of fast-paced, three-quarter-time tunes. The Ruta Beggars' version is a delightful blend of technical prowess and infectious joy, with the band daring their audience to try and waltz along to the breakneck tempo."In bluegrass, there's a long-standing tradition of 'power-waltzes' – as we like to call them in The Ruta Beggars," the band explains. "One of our favorites is 'I Live In The Past' by Bill Monroe; when we heard it, we knew we needed one of these turbo three-quarter-time tanks in our repertoire. Thus, 'Taking My Time' was born. At shows, we often dare our audiences to waltz along to our too-fast-to-be-danced-to tune and leave them huffing and puffing and chuckling with delight."The lyrics of "Taking My Time" also pay homage to the rich tradition of folk music, with a nod to the haunting "The Oxford Girl" (also known as "The Knoxville Girl") in the third verse. This blend of technical prowess, infectious energy, and literary references makes The Ruta Beggars' "Taking My Time" a standout track in this autumnal collection.

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light's Intimate "Traveling Light Sessions"

Boston-based artist Rachel Sumner and her string trio, Traveling Light, offer a unique perspective on her sophomore album, "Heartless Things," with the debut of their "Traveling Light Sessions" series. The first installment features the track "Bygone Times," a song about the restless moments before sleep when the mind wanders down the "what could have been" road.Sumner explains the inspiration behind the sessions: "In May, I released my sophomore record, Heartless Things, containing ten original songs with highly lush studio arrangements (think woodwinds, strings, keys, vibraphone!). However, that's not how these songs are heard live! When touring, I bring my string trio Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light on the road with Kat Wallace on fiddle and Mike Siegel on bass. We gather 'round a single mic and magic happens as we fill out songs that have many shifting textures and moods with just three instruments and voices. We wanted to capture this magic on film, so we spent one day in the studio re-recording the entire Heartless Things album, but as you'd hear it at a live show. And so the Heartless Things (Traveling Light Sessions) was created!"The intimate, stripped-down nature of the "Traveling Light Sessions" allows Sumner's emotive vocals and the trio's masterful musicianship to shine, offering a unique and captivating perspective on the songs from "Heartless Things."

Gabe Lee's Soulful AEA Sessions Performance

Rounding out this autumnal collection is a special performance from Nashville country artist and songwriter Gabe Lee, captured as part of the AEA Sessions partner series. Lee's soulful and introspective sound shines through on tracks like "Drink The River," "Alright Ok," "Beverly," and "Eveline," the latter of which features guest vocals from Lucciana Costa and Rachel Coats of the band King Margo."Gabe is a fresh voice with an old soul," says Julie Tan of AEA Ribbon Mics. "Just listening to him is like dropping the needle on an old album at the end of the day. Feels like coming home."This intimate, live performance showcases Lee's exceptional songwriting and vocal delivery, drawing the listener into the emotional depth of his music. The AEA Sessions series provides a unique platform for artists to showcase their talents in a raw, unfiltered setting, and Gabe Lee's contribution is a standout addition to this autumnal playlist.