Single Release

SINGLE RELEASE

TRAY WELLINGTON

“Half Past Four”

RECORD LABEL:
Mountain Home Music Company

RELEASE DATE:
06/25/2021

ISRC:
USETB2100129

GENRE:
Bluegrass

LOCATION:
Knoxville, Tennessee

DESCRIPTION:

Following the release of his first single for Mountain Home Music Company, the newgrass-flavored original, “Pond Mountain Breakaway,” banjo phenom Tray Wellington gives a nod to tradition with a banjo-centered, ‘grassed-up arrangement of a popular old time fiddle tune, “Half Past Four.” The performance, which finds Wellington trading solos with some of the most innovative yet grounded instrumentalists to be found under the big bluegrass tent, shows off the youngster’s exuberant approach to tradition—and his ability to more than hold his own with more experienced players.

Though it’s not well-known among bluegrass players, “Half Past Four” is a near-standard among old-time musicians. The tune was composed by blind Kentucky fiddler Ed Haley (1885-1951), whose catalog was largely obscure until his music caught the ear of bluegrass Hall of Famer John Hartford. By the start of the 21st century, Hartford had not only recorded a large number of Haley’s tunes, but had transcribed many more, and even supervised a collection of Haley’s home recordings. Though Hartford never recorded the tune himself, veteran members of his string band put it on a 2010 tribute to the legendary composer of “Gentle On My Mind”—though by then, it had already entered the repertoire of old-time fiddlers and banjo players alike.

Wellington’s version of the tune takes a more assertive approach, with the assistance of a stellar group: guitarist Jon Stickley, mandolin master Wayne Benson, fellow Mountain Home artist Carley Arrowood on fiddle, and Zoe & Cloyd’s bassist, Kevin Kehrberg. From a classic fiddle-and-banjo start, the track dashes joyously through the tune, with frequent trade-offs among the players keeping things lively to the very last notes. “As a John Hartford and Ed Haley fan,” says Wellington, “I knew when I heard this song, I wanted to put a modern, unique twist on it that would make it my own version. And with the musicianship of these players, from Carley’s powerful fiddle kickoff, to Stickley’s killer rhythm, to the groove of Kevin’s bass, and Wayne’s playing, it ended up being a great track.”

“We had been looking for something that could showcase Tray’s solid traditional chops and ability to put his own stamp on old tunes,” notes producer Jon Weisberger. “And then, not long before the session, I caught Tray’s Bluegrass Ramble performance presented by the IBMA—and when his group ended that virtual showcase with ‘Half Past Four,’ I knew we’d found the perfect choice.”

KEY SELLING POINTS

  • Tray has two earned 2x IBMA Awards in his young career, 2019's Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year & Momentum Band of the Year
  • Wellington's solo career launches in 2021 with the Mountain Home Music Company label

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