On this recording, you will find some darn good old-time music. This album was originally released back in 2003, and due to the overwhelmingly positive response we've decided to re-release the album in 2014. Because of the constantly changing ear, and with recent advances in digital technology, we think you'll find this remaster of the original recording a very worthwhile effort. The cover art and liner notes have been updated & revised, being more attractive and more readable, and we've even added two bonus tracks from a long-lost early recording "A Plain Tale Simply Told". So, in short, "Hills & Heroes" has been such a good album we deemed it worthy of a new life. Additionally, for the musician interested in learning the tunes, we've included informative liner notes with the chord designations. All fiddles tunes here are played in standard tuning of EADG, and we play by ear - the best way. Sadly, since the original release of this album, we've lost some of the players who contributed so much to that recording - - the lovely hammered dulcimer of Jim Taylor added a special touch to the atmosphere of the music, and his presence is sorely missed these days in our musical community, as is the great two-finger banjo of our late friend Will Keys. This recording is a loving tribute to their talent and their contributions to the music here in Southern Appalachia. Roger Howell remains one of the most important traditional musicians today in Western North Carolina, and he continues to perform all over the region to the delight of his legions of fans. His recent contributions in the completion of his monumental 532-tune "Memory Collection of Fiddle Tunes" to Mars Hill University in 2013 will be remembered as an important cornerstone for the preserving of traditional fiddle music in Southern Appalachia for decades to come. He continues to teach and repair violins at his fiddle shop, with many of his instruments being in the hands of most of the region's best players, and are known for their great tone. We hope you enjoy this album and will appreciate the crystal-clear sound of the music presented here. The two bonus cuts are also sure to help make this new remastered collection one of the best re-issues of the year. So set back, close your eyes, and listen to the sound of mountain music as it flows out from the hills and hollows of a place called Banjo Branch. Take it all in and imagine you're right there in the room with the players, and that's a very good place to be.