REVIEWS: "Two of the most respected “ younger” old-time musicians from the musically rich areas of Round Peak (NC) and Galax, Virginia get together for this outstanding collection of fiddle & banjo songs & tunes. There are 23 full length pieces featuring Sutphin’s fiddling accompanied by Baugus’ clawhammer banjo and vocals (Baugus, though still a relatively young man is starting to sound more like an “old-timer” than anyone else we’ve heard—and that is a compliment). Even if you have multiple versions of most of these local tunes, you should get to hear this superb record—recorded by Charlie Faurot, and with extensive notes by Kinney Rorrer, this disc showcases two of the very best of today’s old- time musicians and demonstrates just how alive this tradition still is in one particular part of our country . HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. " DAVE FREEMAN - COUNTY RECORDS. TRAY CARD INFO: Riley Baugus and Kirk Sutphin are household names to anyone who loves old-time music. Their prowess on the fiddle, banjo and guitar and Riley’s vocals put them high on everyone’s top ten list. Both have toured extensively – east coast-to west coast, up to Alaska and overseas. They first met on a grade school bus in 1977. Riley, in fifth grade and already on the bus, was carrying his violin for his music class. Kirk, in third grade, and not yet a friend of Riley’s, got on carrying his fiddle for show-and-tell. That started a life-long friendship built around their love of and respect for old-time music. They have appeared together on many CDs before. However, they have never recorded any tracks of just themselves. This powerful CD corrects that oversight. It includes songs from their youth that they learned directly from icons like Tommy Jarrell, and Dix Freeman. It includes songs that they learned not just from fellow musicians and friends face-to-face, but also homemade tapes and 78s, LPs and CDs. After one listen you will know that the oral tradition that was the heart and soul of country music of the 1920’s and 1930’s is still very much alive. Their respect for and love of that music is found in each track. Learning first-hand from master musicians like became a major factor in their growth in old time music. Learning the music face-to-face allowed the two young men to pick up subtleties in the music that might be missed from listening to vintage recordings, though they were certainly exposed to the music in that medium as well. Being at the knee of the likes of Tommy Jarrell meant that they could see how his personality was projected into his music. This bonding between Tommy and his young proteges gave them an authenticity that would be almost impossible to duplicate. Over the years Kirk has sought on his own other "grandpa figures" such as Bert Edwards, "Fiddlin'' John Rector, H.O. Jenkins, and Clarence Marshall. Likewise Riley Baugus, who found inspiration in visits to local musicians such as Dix Freeman, Chester McMillian, Paul Sutphin, Verlin Clifton and others. The face-to-face learning from these primary sources again gives convincing and faithful recreation of the original sound. Information on what Kirk and Riley are doing on each track can be found at www.oldbluerecords.com