Known to fans of traditional bluegrass throughout the country, Big Country Bluegrass has been plying its trade for over 25 years now, led by the husband and wife team of Tommy and Teresa Sells. Having grown up in one of the real hotbeds of bluegrass music (Southwestern Virginia), they have a particularly strong appeal to the many fans of the music for whom traditional bluegrass is second nature. With its previous album (its first for Rebel), the band has made a strong name for itself with its great rendition of The Boys In Hats & Ties, written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall, and this new record contains another from the Halls impressive songlist: Im Putting On My Leaving Shoes. The rest of the 14-song lineup includes a mixture of wonderfully played standards like Little Girl and The Dreadful Snake, 99 Years and Aubrey Holts Headin South, and fine newer material including the poignant John Doe Made the Crossing. The current lineup features the fine lead singing of Eddie Gill, who is joined on tenor vocals by Teresa Sells some songs include the superb voice of Don Rigsby as well, and Teresa s high-baritone part in a few of the trios makes for some unique and powerful music. Lynwood Lunsford is the experienced banjo picker who provides top-notch instrumental backing, and also offers a sterling Choking the Strings a classic Don Reno banjo tune. Special guest Billy Hawks is heard on fiddle with Tommy Sells featured on mandolin.