by Laura "Spunky" McGaughey(Originally published in the May 2009 issue of Pow'r Pickin' magazine, the official publication of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society.)
Spring Creek is quickly on the rise on the national level these days and it’s really no surprise to those who’ve been fans from the very beginning. With a real genuine love and zeal for the roots of classic bluegrass, they’ve stood out among the plethora of newgrass and jamgrass outfits that seem to permeate today’s Colorado scene. Versatile and innovative, they’re setting a standard for others to follow with the release of their latest endeavor, Way Up On A Mountain, their debut on the Rebel Records label.
For 15 days straight at 12-hour shifts, Spring Creek worked with Nashville producer Jeff White to record Way Up On A Mountain. “We wanted to make this album as strong as we could,” says bassist/vocalist Jessica Smith, adding the pressure was more intense than with their two previous, independently released albums. “If it wasn’t as good as it could be, we’d not only be letting ourselves down, but (the label as well).”
Guitarist Taylor Sims also adds: “We had time constraints and we picked material, as well as a producer, that would push us, and it was all more rewarding because of it. Rebel really wanted us to have it ready in time for our tour schedule, before going to MerleFest in April. We’re really excited with the results. There is nothing stale—it’s all new, fresh material.”
Way Up On A Mountain showcases 12 tracks of amazing musicianship by the four players as well as special guest musicians. IBMA winner and fiddler Michael Cleveland lends his talents, as does Grammy-winner resophonic guitarist, Sally Van Meter (who, consequently, produced the band’s 2008 album, Lonesome Way To Go). The tracks range from rip-roarin’ pickin’ pieces that get your blood pumping to softer tunes filled with gorgeous fluidity. There are touches of Western swing and Cuban jazz with tracks such as “Drivin’ Me Crazy” and “Cuban Vera Swing.” The original material not only showcases Spring Creek as great players and vocalists, but their burgeoning talents in songwriting, as they wrote a great deal of the album’s material.
Sims and Smith met banjo player Chris Elliott while studying in Texas and, as they began playing together and building a musical relationship, they all fell in love with bluegrass. Mandolin player Alex Johnstone came into the fold when Sims found him hitchhiking near Crestone, Colorado, and picked him up. When the three Texans came up to Colorado, they hooked back up with him, and named themselves Spring Creek after one of the creeks that surrounded the ranch they had while living in Gunnison County.
Spring Creek are the 2007 Telluride and RockyGrass Festival winners, the first band to win both titles in the same summer. Their reputation for excellence made them the most in-demand Colorado bluegrass band this past summer, earning them spots at more than 10 regional festivals. Their songs have already become local jam standards and have been covered by internationally touring acts such as Uncle Earl. In addition, the band's original crowd favorite, "High Up in the Mountains," won the Vox Populi Award for Best Americana Song from the Independent Music Awards last year.
The acclaim will no doubt continue to pour in as the band travels across the country. Most recently they were chosen to be an official showcase for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass annual event this autumn in Nashville, one of 13 acts that were chosen out of 121 that applied. It’s further proof that this young band is hot and on its way to a very successful, stellar national—if not international—career.
Now based out of Longmont and Lyons, the band will be vigorously touring nationwide in support of the new album. They’ll be traveling through Texas, Oklahoma and into the Southeast region, making a stop at the acclaimed MerleFest. “The Southeast region is really important to us,” Sims says, making a nod to the origins of the bluegrass and old-time styles. This tour marks the band’s second venture into the Southeast market.
The official Colorado CD release party for Way Up On A Mountain will take place on May 9 at the Boulder Theater. Joining Spring Creek in support will be Martha Scanlan, who may be best known for her work with the Reeltime Travelers, who were part of the “Cold Mountain” soundtrack and who toured with Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley and others for the wildly successful Great High Mountain Tour.
Spring Creek will also be making stops in Fort Collins at Avogadro’s Number on May 7, then on to Salida, Colorado Springs, and Gold Hill, finishing up the first Colorado run of shows to promote the album at Swallow Hill in Denver on June 6, where they will be joined by the Blue Maddies (featuring KC Groves of Uncle Earl).
Tickets for the Spring Creek CD Release Party, featuring Spring Creek, Martha Scanlan and KC Groves & the Blue Maddies, are on sale now and available at the Boulder Theater Box Office at 303-786-7030 or by going online to http://www.bouldertheater.com/. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and the performance begins at 9:00 p.m.
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