Sometimes a long drive can take you places where you already have been. Eastern Kentucky, the title song from bluegrass newcomer Bruce Winges’ album, tells the story of how we can find our way back to the places and family who made us who we are.           

 

Eastern Kentucky follows Mountain Sound, the first release from Bruce’s album. Mountain Sound celebrates life in the West Virginia highlands.

 

“Bruce adds a nice flavor to these songs,” Jerry Andrews of Crandall Creek says. “And being from Kentucky, he brings out that ‘Kentucky’ sound one would expect.”

 

In addition to Jerry, Crandall Creek’s Dustin Terpenning, Kathy Wigman Lesnock and Hanna Livingston back Bruce on Eastern Kentucky.

 

Bruce got an earful of bluegrass and old-time music when, fresh out of the University of Kentucky, he landed his first newspaper job in Huntington, West Virginia.

 

It was there that he met legendary old-time fiddler Joe Dobbs, who owned a music shop on the west end of town called Fret ’n Fiddle. The shop was a gathering place for pickers and players throughout the area.

 

Bruce’s journalism took him north to Akron, Ohio, where he worked for the Beacon Journal for 37 years. He was editor of the paper for 12 years before retiring. During those years Bruce played his guitar, mainly for his late wife, Bonnie, and the four walls in his house.

 

One morning over breakfast Bruce and Jerry talked about their shared love of bluegrass. Jerry thought it might be fun if Bruce sat in a bit with Crandall Creek. That brought Bruce out from the four walls of his house and onto the stage.

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Bruce handles publicity and principal photography for Crandall Creek. He also is a partner in Copper Mountain Records.