The Infamous Stringdusters are back with another homage to bluegrass greats, announcing the new album A Tribute To Flatt & Scruggs, out on April 21st via the band’s American Vibes label. The tribute to mountain music legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs follows the Stringdusters’ Grammy-nominated 2021 tribute to Bill Monroe.
“The concept of paying tribute to the Grandfathers or originators of Bluegrass is one we bounced around for awhile and after Bill Monroe, the most logical, I think any bluegrass musician would agree, is Flatt & Scruggs,” bassist Travis Book said. “They’re legendary and without Earl’s banjo, bluegrass just doesn’t exist the way we know it today.”
For the new tribute album, each member of the band brought in a song they wanted to sing. Book reached out to International Bluegrass Music Association Songwriter of the Year Jon Weisberger who recommended “I’d Rather Be Alone”. Even in the ongoing explosion of contemporary jamgrass, Flatt & Scruggs’ 1954 single is still a lesser-known gem in the duo’s celebrated catalog, a song that also happens to fit Book’s vocal style.
“It’s a lament and it’s a sad song but it’s so beautiful,” says Book. “The way the melody hangs the line out there—“You say you’re sorry that you went awaaaaay”—it’s just classic Flatt & Scruggs!”
Hear The Infamous Stringdusters cover “I’d Rather Be Alone” and click here to pre-order A Tribute To Flatt & Scruggs in a variety of formats. The band is currently on tour, gearing up for a nine-show run through Colorado later this month. Scroll down for a list of tour dates and visit the band’s website for tickets.
The Infamous Stringdusters – “I’d Rather Be Alone” (Flatt & Scruggs)
