{"id":2448079,"date":"2026-06-06T19:32:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T19:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2448079"},"modified":"2026-06-06T19:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T19:32:43","slug":"surging-bluegrass-band-mountain-grass-unit-announce-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/surging-bluegrass-band-mountain-grass-unit-announce-new-album\/","title":{"rendered":"Surging Bluegrass Band Mountain Grass Unit Announce New Album"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Over the last couple of years, Alabama-based up-and-coming bluegrass band Mountain Grass Unit has really been lighting the bluegrass world on fire, impressing audiences at big festivals, enjoying bigger and bigger opportunities, and generally presenting themselves the future of the genre. However, one thing they\u2019ve been lacking is new music to match their recent evolution and growth, and represent what they do to folks who haven\u2019t seen them on stage. <\/p>

Now all of that changes as Drury Anderson (mandolin), Luke Black (guitar), Sam Wilson (bass), and Josiah Nelson (fiddle) have announced they\u2019ve signed with Dualtone Records, and will release what they\u2019re presenting as their debut album on August 28th called Appalachian Smoke<\/em>. Luckily though, fans won\u2019t have to wait until the end of the summer to hear new music. The announcement comes with a 3-song self-titled EP as well that includes the debut record\u2019s title track. <\/p>

Though Mountain Grass Unit is certainly influenced by jamgrass and psychedelic textures as well, similar to Billy Strings, they also remain steadfastly bluegrass. Strings once said of the band\u2019s guitar player Luke Black (on an Instagram post by Saving Country Music, nonetheless), \u201cKinda rude of him to be this good honestly\u2026 luckily for me we\u2019re on the same team<\/em>.\u201d Strings has also shouted them out as the future of bluegrass and as \u201ckiller pickers.\u201d <\/p>

The new album is produced by Vance Powell, known best for working with Chris Stapleton and Phish. The album will also feature guest appearances by flamethrowing fiddle player Michael Cleveland, Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass, as well as steel guitar player Karl Smakula. \u201cWe wanted the album to feel like our live show,\u201d<\/em> says Sam Wilson. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Along with the title track to the debut album, the 3-song EP also includes the song \u201cWindow for a Friend\u201d and it\u2019s video that are a reflection back on the band\u2019s origin story. Drury Anderson and Kevin Black met when they were four years old, and were playing music and going to Boy Scout outings together shortly thereafter. They met bass player Sam Wilson in the Sixth Grade. Josiah Nelson has worked as an adjunct teaching bluegrass and old-time music at East Tennessee State University. <\/p>

\u201cThere was such a strong musical connection between the three of them,\u201d<\/em> Nelson says. \u201cThey worked together so naturally, because they\u2019d grown up together, and there was an obvious place for me to fit into their sound.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

The announcement of the debut album comes after Mountain Grass Unit were named the IBMA Momentum Band of the Year in 2025, and Saving Country Music\u2019s 2025 Breakout Artist of the Year<\/a><\/strong>. They will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on August 26th\u2014two days before the album release. <\/p>

To pre-order\/pre-save Appalachian Smoke<\/em>, CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>

TRACK LIST: <\/strong><\/p>

1. Earthquake<\/p>

2. Homebound Troubadour<\/p>

3. Appalachian Smoke<\/p>

4. Wait for Me<\/p>

5. Window for a Friend<\/p>

6. Darkness Rollin\u2019 In<\/p>

7. Forest Mississippi<\/p>

8. Suspicion<\/p>

9. One Last Time<\/p>

10. Eagle\u2019s Nest<\/p>

11. Take Your Time<\/p>

12. Where Steamboats Go to Die<\/p>

13. Another Sunday Again<\/p>\n\n\n\n