Master Sessions

Eric Brace & Peter Cooper both spent their high school years in the Washington DC area. They didn't know each other then but they had something in common. They both spent more nights than they can count at the Birchmere, the Alexandria VA nightclub where the Seldom Scene had a Thursday night residency for years. Their instrumental hero was Mike Auldridge, who played dobro for that pioneering progressive bluegrass band. As it turned out Mike had a hero as well: pedal steel legend Lloyd Green, whose work with the Byrds, Don Williams and others had elevated Nashville steel and dobro playing to other-worldly elegance. In time, Eric and his band Last Train Home came to know Mike Auldridge and they recorded an album together in 2006, called The Skylighters. Meanwhile, Peter had gotten to know Lloyd Green and recorded an album with him in 2007, called Mission Door. Eric and Peter's musical paths crossed in East Nashville and before long they were touring together and recorded an album of their own, 'You Don't Have to Like Them Both.' Then they got this bright idea: Invite Mike Auldridge and Lloyd Green, both giants of their respective instruments, into a Nashville studio to have a musical conversation with each other, using some songs Eric and Peter wrote and some they chose as conversation starters. They surrounded Mike and Lloyd with the most talented and sympathetic musicians they know, and this record is what happened. Mike and Lloyd say they rank these recordings with their finest and most fulfilling. Eric and Peter can say the same, while being able to add that they've made a record with their heroes. Also appearing on this fine recording are: Richard Bennett (of Mark Knopfler's band) on guitar Jen Gunderman (of Last Train Home, the Jayhawks) on keyboards and accordian Pat McInerney (Nanci Griffith, Don Williams, John Prine) on drums Dave Roe (Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joe Shaver) on bass With harmony vocals by Kenny Chesney (yep, that one), Julie Lee and Jon Randall.