It's Always August

The idea to make "It's Always August" was spurred on in the late hours after respective gigs and "proper" old time music gatherings. Co-producer, Joe DeJarnette and myself cut our teeth in the central Virginia old time music and dance communities. This recording is rooted in numerous late nights at festivals and house parties, influenced by the mix of humor, musicianship and community spirit of home town heroes like "Two-Gun" Terry, Kelly Perdue, David Grant, Danny Knicely, "Fiddly" Dave VanDeventer to name just a few. Our common roots go so deep that many of the arrangements were composed telepathically. Joe and and Wiyos' guitarist realized the need for a "Thomas Bailey guitar album" before I did, and I was easily talked into the project. My relationship with the guitar has been a love/hate affair for the better part of 29 years. I've been very lucky to have accompanied a number of the most notable old time fiddlers out there these days; with that old Gibson flattop in my lap almost every day, it was a matter of time before all the "extra guitar stuff" would gurgle to the surface.

This recording is just an ice-breaker towards a more thorough project that will include an even more contemporary sound, featuring original material and songs from some of my favorite composers. The title harkens back to those Oregon Hill days of LSD and doughnuts, 3 bands for 3 bucks at New Horizons, and most of all my old neighbors at 709 Pine St.(Timmy Toad, Johnny, Leo, Jeffrey, Splash, Elbow and Devil-bunny - aka: Always August, and that huge collection of great vinyl LPs).