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.

Grassland is pleased to announce the release of it’s new single, “Dreamers”.  The song will be available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and all other major music outlets beginning February 16, 2018.

Recorded in Athens, Georgia by Grammy-nominated producer John Keane (Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic, R.E.M.),  Dreamers is a song about unity and understanding. in today’s difficult political climate.

We stand with the Dreamers.

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• Adam Poulin:  Fiddle, mandolin, background vocals;
• Derek Warren, Bass
• Jody Daniels: Banjo, vocals
• John Keane:  Special guest, Pedal Steel, background vocals
• Kevin Fleming:   Acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals
• Todd Ferguson:  Drums
• “Choir”:  John & Emily Hinson; Nancy & Jack Burke; Leanne Daniels; Katherine Ball (including the ending ad libs)

Grassland String Band vocalist-instrumentalist Michael Lesousky has decided to leave the band.   While we are sad to see him depart, we are excited for his future.

As one of the founding members of GSB in early 2013, Michael played a key role as a leader and songwriter in the band, contributing to the production and success of three GSB album releases.  We are deeply grateful for his contributions over these past four years and our friendship and mutual desire for each other’s success remains strong.

As most of you know, Michael and his wife, Kaitlyn, moved to Franklin, TN in the late summer of 2016.   Shortly after moving, Michael landed a wonderful job as Ticketing and Hospitality Coordinator at The Franklin Theater.  He is excited about his work in the music industry and the experiences he is gaining. Despite his desire to continue performing with GSB, especially as the band continues to gain momentum, the distance and new job limited Michael’s ability to remain in his role.  He will of course continue to develop his bright future as a solo artist.

Meanwhile, GSB is alive and well.  Several singer/songwriters have emerged as strong candidates and new shows will be announced soon.  Thanks to all of you, we can look forward to many more years of continued success.

Michael’s final performances with GSB are March 24th at Hendershot’s (Athens) and April 15th at EOP Red Clay Music Foundry (Duluth).  We hope you will join us at those shows and celebrate new beginnings for all!

*****Special Statement by Michael Lesousky*****

It is with a bittersweet emotion that I announce my departure from Grassland String Band. Over the past four years the band has meant so much to me, and it will remain a touchstone in my career as a musician.

Before I met Jody Daniels, I was lost in the wilderness of youth and heartbreak. When we formed GSB, it was with the spirit of a new beginning. We both were searching for a something fresh and clear. I’ve spent many nights in the car with Adam, Kevin, and Jody laughing uncontrollably and having conversations that have helped shaped my perspective as a musician – and, more so, as a man. Over numerous rehearsals and shows, I’ve shared life’s changes and growth. GSB was there when I proposed to my beautiful wife at Hendershot’s and GSB was in my wedding party when I got married. Despite all the love and memories, I leave for something new – what exactly it is, I don’t know yet.

As GSB continues on without me, I see this moment as a turning point in a new direction. I’m so excited to see how the band continues to grow and amaze people with live performances. This isn’t the end of me and it isn’t the end of GSB, it’s something different. It just happens and it always will. Even though nothing in this life is certain, you can be certain that whatever it’s gonna be, it’ll be beautiful.

Beginning on December 21,  2016, GSB  listed it’s top ten moments of 2016!

At number 10,  flash back to April when we shared a Georgia Theatre night with Old Crow Medicine Show, and Miss Margo Price right after her Saturday Night Live appearance!

At no.9 on our top ten 2016 GSB events: Our August 26th Echo Mountain EP Release day interview with Rose Scott on Atlanta NPR!

Coming in at no.8 on our 2016 Top Ten List! Athfest in July, and Yeah, it was HOT!

Number 7 on the GSB Top Ten for 2016: that time Stomp & Stammer reviewed the Echo Mountain Sessions EP and compared it to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band!

Number 6 on GSB’s Top Ten Moments of 2016: Flagplole Magazine Premieres GSB’s “Diamond”!

We are proud to be a part of the Athens music scene! 5th on our Top Ten 2016 GSB moments was our nomination for Flagpole Magazine’s music awards.

Highlight no.4 from our Top Ten moments of 2016: The Alternate Root (Calif) selects GSB’s Diamond as a TOP TEN SONG (8-20-16)

Number 3 on our Top Ten GSB moments of 2016, When artist Jackie Dorsey included GSB in her exhibit “Sound Check” celebrating Athens music, along with portraits of Patterson Hood, Sam Burchfield, Wrenn, Michael Stipe and more!

Number 2 on the Top Ten GSB moments of 2016: recording the Echo Mountain Sessions in a January snowstorm, Asheville!

Drum roll please! And our number 1 GSB Top Ten moment in 2016 was…. playing Memorial weekend at an Atlanta Braves game at The Ted!

In the Summer of 2016, When GSB’s original bassist Nathan Elder moved to Virginia where his wife Angela took a teaching position at Virginia Tech and Nathan coaches the men’s row team, Derek Warren joined Grassland String Band.  In November 2016, he became a full-time member!

Stay tuned for more about Derek!