By Sam Lipkin, Flagpole Magazine:

Grassland, the Americana band that “crosses generations, crosses genres and will cross your soul,” shares the music video for its darkly comedic yet uplifting single “Ola Mae” today. This single is part of a waterfall release for the band’s upcoming 13-track album Patches, to be released on Mar. 4. Produced and engineered by John Keane, the album embodies Grassland’s signature style of offering something for every listener with a rich tapestry of instrumentation and songwriting.

The cinematic music video, directed and produced by Travis Ward, brings to life the story told in “Ola Mae”—one that ends in a moral of carpe diem or seize the day. The frame story was filmed at two swamp-inspired locations: the intro at guitarist Doug Peters’ family farm pond, and the outro at Keane’s house in Athens, whose property also features a large pond.

“I wrote the song ‘Ola Mae’ long before I knew that our guitarist Doug Peters had a ‘pet’ alligator, named Alonzo, in a pond located on his family’s 600-acre pecan farm in Byromville, Georgia. When Doug posted some videos of himself feeding Alonzo hotdogs—using a stick just long enough to still be cautious—I knew we had a great opportunity with a somewhat trained co-star. When Doug drives up to the pond, Alonzo swims from the other side to greet him fully expecting a snack and that makes filming logistically easy,” says Jody Daniels of Grassland.

“So, we bought a bunch of Spanish moss and hung it around the pond to create a Louisiana atmosphere. I only fell in once. The Abita beer we used in the video is made in Covington, Louisiana on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, and this particular one featured an alligator on the label. So, little things like that were used to create the right look.”

Daniels wrote the script for the music video based on the song, and Ward worked with him on best practices for visual storytelling. The outro script for the cookout served two purposes for Daniels. It was a great way to wrap up the story with character Thibodeaux’s revenge, and in real life, the cookout was a celebration of a year of hard work and finishing their album.

“We are also very fortunate to have John Keane; his work with Grassland over the years is extremely appreciated. John appears in the outro, in part, as our way of acknowledging and remembering that none of these results are possible without the extraordinary talent of others,” says Daniels.

The detail and care put into the music video is evident, as the visuals feels inseparable from the song itself. Each participating member’s personality shines through, and the heart and soul of the band itself is tangible. There are many aspects to appreciate, and Daniels shares some of his favorite parts of the experience.

“One, turning an idea into reality is always exciting, fun and satisfying. It’s the same as songwriting and recording. Two, seeing Leanne (my daughter) and Jason in their character roles and just crushing it. Three, knowing that my entire family is in that final scene makes it personally special to me,” says Daniels.

Grassland is excited to announce a show opening for The Amy Ray Band!  The show happens at The 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga on Thursday July 11, 2026.  As a special treat, John Keane, who produced the new album “Patches” will join the band for several songs.

Grassland began their journey in late 2012. Beginning as a bluegrass duo, then soon after as a trio with a drummer, the pieces began to fall into place and Grassland was born. A few years later, the band had grown into a multi-generational six-piece band that included members with backgrounds in classical organ, bass, jazz guitar, banjo and violin. This diversity created a jazz-folk-pop and bluegrass influenced, improvisational live performance style -a hybrid the group calls Amerigrass. Now a widely-recognized seven-piece band entering its 13th year with four albums, the band is celebrating the release it’s fifth album (March 4) titled “Patches”. Produced and engineered by John Keane, the album’s 13 original songs embody Grassland’s signature style, offering something for every listener. The album showcases a rich tapestry of instrumentation—from banjo, fiddle and a mandolin to the electric guitar, the drums, the keys and even accordion.. The singers take turns on lead vocals, contributing heartfelt songwriting and intricate harmonies. It’s jazzy, bluesy, soulful, country, cajun and rock. It’s something much more, something modern and amorphous. It’s music that crosses generations, crosses genres, and will cross your soul.

Join Grassland, with a special guest appearance by John Keane, as they kick off an unforgettable celebration opening for the Amy Ray Band!

Grassland is excited to have completed 13 songs for its 5th album, expected to release around the Spring of 2026.  True to  Grassland’s all-inclusive format, the album covers a variety of musical tastes for listeners including country, cajun and light rock.  The album will be named “Patches”, a reflection of the album’s variety and a nod to a line in one of the songs “Needle and Thread”.

The album was produced under the direction of producer/engineer John Keane who produced Grassland’s 2022 album “Still Not A String Band” as well as a number of single releases.

Grassland was featured as the cover story in the August 24, 2022 edition of Flagpole Magazine.  Flagpole Interviews GSB!

Grassland String Band (from the album Grassland (Still Not A) String Band available as a self-release) (by Bryant Liggett)

Grassland are, in fact, not a string band. Although there are strings in the band. The band name would lead you to believe the group are a twang driven Bluegrass band, and while there is some honky tonk heard on the seven cuts that make up Grassland (still not a) String Band, they favor plugging in and throwing down over keeping it acoustic. Grassland String Band all top players, with solos delivered clean and concise, and fills placed perfectly like snapping in that last piece of the puzzle. There is lots of attitude in album opener “Lipstick and Tattoos”, Leanne Daniels sounding confident and defiant as the protagonist of the song, the band behind her firing on all cylinders.
“Running From Myself” begins slow and steady before kicking into a slice of newgrass with a click-clack rhythm, Adam Poulin’s fiddle solo ripping along before fading away to make room for a Southern-rock guitar solo.  “Running Like I’m Standing Still” begins hinting around a Celtic tune before kicking into full, singalong ballad, that click-clack rhythm comes back for “Fools Day”, “Drive This Car”, and “Love is Love” with Daniels back at the vocals are both ready for commercial Country airplay.
Ending with a curveball, “Natalie” throws out the dance-heavy groove, as the band truly proves they are not a string band but based on this track they could be a Funk band. (by Bryant Liggett)
Listen and buy the music of Grassland String Band from AMAZON

For more information and purchase options, please visit Grassland String Band website

Grassland has completed production of their new album “Grassland (still not a) String Band” scheduled for release August 26, 2022!  The album is currently available for pre-order with immediate access to two songs now on BandCamp.  Recording at Keane Studios in Athens, Georgia, Grassland  once again worked with producer/engineer John Keane  (REM, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls).  Keane has produced several Grassland songs, including Dreamers and Heartache and Drifting.

Among the songs on the album include Grassland originals “Running From Myself” (Jason Badia),  “Lipstick and Tattoos” (Leanne Daniels), “Running Like I’m Standing Still”  and “Love is Love” (Jody Daniels).

This is the band’s fourth album since its beginnings in 2013.

Grassland will have a release show on Saturday August 27 at Hendershot’s in Athens, Ga.

Soon to follow this album will be the band’s 10-song concept album in 2023.

Grassland performed at Truist Park on Saturday July 9th just prior to a sold out Braves game against the Washington Nationals.  We thank the Braves team for their very generous hospitality!

Performing in the spring of 2013 on the streets of Dahlonega, Georgia at the city’s annual Bear-On-The-Square festival, there was a sense that Grassland was going to be pretty good.  The band had a unique sound, strong songwriting and a style that appealed to a universal audience.  The appreciative crowd that gathered around that day was a reflection of things to come.

Eight years later, what was true then remains true today;  our commitment to bringing  exciting original music that anyone from age 9 to 99 can enjoy.  From all of us to you, thank you for all these years of support!

Grassland

Grassland is pleased to announce that we have been invited to perform at the highly acclaimed Banjo-B-Que music festival September 6, 2020 in Augusta Georgia.  The event draws thousands every year.

This year’s lineup includes the Punch Brothers, St.Paul and the Broken Bones, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Shovels and Rope and many more.  Grassland is very honored to be in the lineup.

Grassland will announce several new shows during the next few weeks.