What could be a more thoughtful gift this holiday season than a CD from one of the Midwest’s best bluegrass groups? When you buy an album from a SWBMAI member band, you not only give your friends and family outstanding entertainment with a unique “local sound,” you also help support the live bluegrass scene in Wisconsin.

Here are some terrific CDs selected by the bands themselves for this Holiday Buying Guide. Any one would make a splendid gift:

Henhouse Prowlers

Chicago bluegrass powerhouse The Henhouse Prowlers have a brand-new album out called A Dark Rumor. Find out why music blog Wildy’s World said “This is one of those albums that makes you want to run out and find what else The Henhouse Prowlers have done, and when the next new album might be expected. Check out The Henhouse Prowlers, a must-hear band.”

You can purchase the disc through CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheHenhouseProwlers . Or you can download the album on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/album/a-dark-rumor/id343345267?v0=9989&ign-mpt=uo=1 .

Liberty Bluegrass Band

2009 WAMI Bluegrass Artist of the Year Liberty Bluegrass is offering two CDs this holiday season. The first is  their debut album Life, Liberty Bluegrass and the Pursuit of Happiness, featuring their 2008 WAMI CD-Roulette winning cover of “Rank Stranger to Me.” Their latest CD is Goin’ Burlap, featuring four original songs and a cover of Lynard Skynard’s “Simple Man.”

Both CDs can be purchased for $10 each plus $2 S&H. During the holiday their online purchased CDs come with free gift wrapping! LBB’s on-line store is located at http://www.libertybluegrassband.com/LBB_Store.html

Alzen Family Bluegrass Band

Fans of gospel bluegrass will want to own some discs from the Alzen Family band.  The group have three CDs available: On the Sea of Life, Let My Life Be a Light, and Traveling Through God’s World. CDs cost $15, plus $2 shipping. Available to listen and order on band website www.alzenfamily.com via PayPal. Those wishing to buy the old fashioned way may also order by phone at 715-749-3977, or send check or cash by mail to Alzen Family, 1016-110th Avenue, Roberts, WI 54023. Please specify which CD and quantity.

Round the Bend

Round the Bend’s self-titled debut album is a perennial favorite. Country music historian Bill Malone says “The diversity of styles is one of the most appealing aspects of the music heard here. . .You’re going to like what you hear.”

You can listen to clips and purchase the CD at http://roundbend.com/cdinfopage.htm.

—–

Copies are still available of Jeff Hickey’s MAMA-winning album, Loose Ends. Hickey, a gifted guitarist and singer/songwriter, died earlier this year from injuries sustained in a car accident, and the limited supply of CDs are being sold to benefit Jeff’s family. You can find out how to order a copy here: http://www.thirdhandcapo.com/jeff/index.html.

SWBMAI member band Round the Bend will celebrate 10 years of making outstanding bluegrass with a performance at The Frequency this Thursday, October 29, from  5:30-8pm. There will be a $5 cover charge.

Round the Bend fiddler Fred Newmann writes: “We play a mix of bluegrass, old-timey, and Western swing, and like to feature all band members vocally and instrumentally – our web site has lots of sound clips.  Sherry is the main lead singer, and most of the 3-part harmonies center around Don, Sherry and Carolyn.  Patrick and I like to sing on the more hard drivin’ tunes.  We create our own arrangements and solos, but we’re not ashamed of copying arrangements from recordings of musicians we admire…even take pride in doing it.”

Read a the history of Round The Bend here!

And click here to listen to a clip: Round the Bend: \”Blues for Dixie\”