Jimmie Davis, former governor of Louisiana, wrote "You Are My Sunshine" (with Charles Mitchell).  He also wrote this song, one of our favorite duets.

Some Old, Some New

I Dreamed Of An Old Love Affair

This one comes from Elizabeth Cotten, who also wrote "Freight Train" and played her guitar upside down because she was left-handed.  Mark plays his guitar right side up and does some nice finger style picking.  Our thanks to Joe K. Walsh, a fine mandolin player and a good guy, for reminding us of this gem.

Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie

Our version of this tune by Billy Mayhew was influenced heavily by Somethin' Smith and the Redheads from the 1950s.  The vocal counterpoint is fun to sing.  (Gravel Gertie was a bizarre and extremely ugly character in the old Dick Tracy comic strip.)

It's A Sin To Tell A Lie

One of Bob Dylan's most beautiful love songs, from the "Time Out of Mind" album (1997).  The lyrics are just one clear example of why he has been recognized as a poet.

Make You Feel My Love

A Hank Williams standard written by Leon Payne, this powerfully bleak tale about a young man who made some bad decisions has been recorded in many versions.

Lost Highway

From the pen of Tom Paxton, dean of folk songwriters, comes this classic about the sadness of a breakup.  Mark's high-tuned guitar adds a nice touch.

The Last Thing On My Mind

Trains are one of the staple subjects of bluegrass and folk songs. In this case,the story centers on a trestle that trains used to run across.  Jim Jett wrote this song that was recorded by Doc Watson in 1986.

Greenville Trestle High

Gillian Welch is one of our favorite songwriters and has been described as a young woman who writes songs that sound like they were written by and old man.  This is a vivid story of a you man trying hard to get to his faraway home when he doesn't have the money for the trip.

One More Dollar

We learned this powerful Billy Smith song from the classic bluegrass album "Carrying The Tradition" by the Lonesome River Band.  The vocal interplay between two singers is one of the things we especially like about it.  We worked for a long time trying to get it right, and we like the energy.

Hobo Blues

Toby Keith, the country music star, is a friend of Clint Eastwood's.  One day when they were playing golf, Toby asked Clint how he managed to keep so active and do so many things at his advanced age.  Clint thought about it and said, "I just don't let the old man in."  Toby Keith went home and wrote this song and sent it to Eastwood as a demo, and Clint put it in the music for the credits at the end of his recent film "The Mule."

Don't Let The Old Man In

Don Reno and Red Smiley were one of the most popular and influential groups in bluegrass music history.  We like the duet format of this song as well as the story.

The Tie That Binds

This Bill Monroe duet with Mac Wiseman was first recorded in 1950, and then they did another version later.  Like most of Monroe's songs, this one has been done a lot over the years.

Traveling Down This Lonesome Road

Another classic, this one from Ralph McTell, a much-respected British song writer.  This song could come from any major city in the world, or from wherever there are lonely people.

Streets Of London

The Delmore Brothers are one of our favorite duet groups in bluegrass, and their influence on countless musicians has been immense.  This song has been recorded by many other artists, including a great version by Doc and Merle Watson.  We hope you like this one.

Lay Down My Old Guitar

Milan Miller, a highly regarded songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose songs have been recorded by many top bluegrass artists, wrote this song with Beth Husband..  Buddy Melton is a multi-instrumentalist and lead singer with Balsam Range, an award-winning bluegrass band.  He and Milan recorded an album centered on the myth/legend that seeing a cardinal is a sign or a message from someone who has passed on.  This is the title song from the album.

Who Are You Redbird

This is drawn from two CDs by BluesGrass.  Some of the music was recorded at The Coffeehouse Recording Studio and the live performance was recorded at The Buttonwood Tree.  Both facilities are in Middletown, CT, and both were recorded and produced by Michael Arafeh.

BluesGrass

Freight Train Boogie

This very fine Larry Campbell song was made popular by Levon Helm.  This is my demo version, made as a working copy for further enhancement.   The photo is of my g-g-grandfather Geo. H. Cosper.  For some reason this song makes me feel connected to him. 
...  Mark White

When I Go Away (demo).WAV

The acoustic duo BluesGrass features two experienced musicians who have been steeped for many years in American roots music, including blues, old-time, folk music, and bluegrass (especially its “bluesy” side). Both are accomplished singers, and their voices blend in close harmony along with strong and evocative instrumental accompaniment. They draw upon both contemporary and traditional sources, and as their musical collaboration has deepened over the years they have broadened their repertoire to include “Americana,” contemporary blues, popular tunes (both new and old), and the very first rock and roll hit. As a result, listeners enjoy a well-rounded acoustic music experience.

Mark White (guitar, harmonica, vocals) – Mark plays both fingerstyle and flat-picked guitar, as well as harmonica, and sings lead and tenor harmonies. Over the years Mark has played in several bands in Connecticut, collaborating with some excellent musicians in the process. He has a deep appreciation for the many facets of American roots music and continues to search for songs that resonate with him and his listeners. Mark lives in Groton Long Point, Connecticut.

Jon Swift (upright bass, vocals) – Jon was a founding member of the popular Connecticut-based acoustic bluegrass band Traver Hollow, playing and singing with that group for 13 years in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. His steady upright bass work, as well as his lead and harmony vocals, have been enjoyed by the many audiences who listened to Traver Hollow’s recorded albums and their live shows in Europe and Canada, as well as much of the U.S.  Jon sings lead and baritone harmonies and lives in Durham, Connecticut.

BluesGrass

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