Jim Lauderdale: One Foot in Country, the Other in Bluegrass

Nashville Songwriting Hall of Famer Jim Lauderdale might make you think country and western, but the two-time Grammy Award winner spoke about his bluegrass heroes, Ralph Stanley, Rolland White, and his latest work with the hard driving Po Ramblin Boys.

Known for his country songs, Lauderdale had an early struggle. “I used to be concerned years ago that I had to do just one style of music. And if I didn't do that, then people might not be accepting of me. But I didn’t find that to be true,” shares the Nashville artist—with fans in both country and bluegrass.

While planning the release of his thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth albums this year—one of them, Country Super Hits Volume 2, with his rollicking band The Game Changers—Lauderdale said he’s teamed up again with The Po Ramblin’ Boys for some straight-ahead bluegrass.

“I'm really excited about the bluegrass album!” Lauderdale shares. “The album is called The Birds Know and should be out by March—I thought I would have the record with the Po Ramblin’ Boys out several months ago, but with touring and stuff, I'm unfortunately very slow” [laughs].

Lauderdale praises the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, band.

“They're so good! I really enjoy watching them. They are really into what they're doing, and they're such great players and wonderful people. I think the Po Ramblin’ Boys, to me, really continue that great tradition of hardcore bluegrass,” Lauderdale explains. “That’s such a big part of my makeup—it’s fun to write in that style and to sing the songs with them.”

More Than a Collaboration

“I appreciate their energy,” offers the seasoned songwriter. “I'm a little older, and it's refreshing for me to just get to make music with them and to hang out with them—it's inspiring.”

The singer recalls being the younger musician and meeting his hero, Roland White.

“I was so fortunate to get to record an album (Forgive and Forget) with Roland White when I was twenty-two. I went to Nashville to seek Roland out because he was such a big hero of mine.”

“It was a real dream to cut the record. But then I couldn't get a record deal for it,” Lauderdale remembers. “I couldn't really get things going in Nashville, so I moved up to New York City because there was a kind of country boom at that time.”

Lauderdale kept writing songs. “While traveling around between Nashville, New York, and then LA, I was trying to write more and more,” recalls “The King of Broken Hearts” singer. “I did eventually get three record deals out of Nashville.”

Lauderdale’s songs have been recorded by George Strait, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Mark Chesnutt, and The Dixie Chicks—as well as Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, and Roland White.

“People started recording my songs and having radio success with them. And so that enabled me to make a living and keep writing.”

He collaborated with Ralph Stanley.

“I did a TV show called Ricky Skaggs Live at the Ryman. Ralph Stanley was a guest. I had a contract with RCA at the time for a country record, and I asked Ralph if he would be on the record. I said I could write something for him and the Clinch Mountain Boys, and he agreed.”

He wanted to do more.

“After that, we recorded our first full album together (I Feel Like Singing Today). Ralph said, ‘When are we going to do another one?’ So we did a follow-up called Lost in the Lonesome Pines, which won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year.”

Lauderdale holds a special place for bluegrass.

“I am really struck by the feeling that people get for bluegrass. When that bug bites you—it is really unique. There is devotion people have as listeners and musicians. I'm sure the people reading this will understand what I am talking about. It’s a profound experience.”

Going on, “I'm really encouraged by seeing how bluegrass has gone through the years and seeing how young folks are really running with it, and that includes the Po Ramblin’ Boys.”

Plenty of Shows Ahead

“I'm going to a conference in Belfast. Wyatt Ellis’ band will be there, and Ron Block and Southern Legacy. It's called the Showing Your Roots Festival. From there, I'm doing a bunch of European dates, opening up for Emmylou Harris on her farewell tour. Then it’s back to the States.”

With that, we eagerly wait for some new Jim Lauderdale music—both country AND bluegrass!

https://www.jimlauderdalemusic.com/