The Hard Road Trio

The Hard Road Trio
Steve Smith, Chris Sanders and Anne Luna
Original Southwestern acoustic music
at the crossroads of Roots and Bluegrass
www.hardroadtrio.com
575-649-1595
[email protected]
Monticello – CD released June 2012
“Stories of honesty and power”
11 weeks in the “Top 5” on the Cashbox Roots Music Chart
Life-long musicians Steve Smith (vocals, mandolin, mandola and guitar) and Chris Sanders (vocals
and guitar) have captured audiences across the country with the depth of their songwriting and
the power of their distinctive voices. Along with the exciting groove of Anne Luna (bass and vocals) who has appeared with April Verch, Spring Creek Bluegrass and recorded with Kenny
Maines and Alan Munde, they have created a sound that delights audiences world-wide.
Their music grows from Steve’s love of bluegrass rooted in his native Virginia, the beauty of
choral singing ever-present in Chris’ Minnesota childhood and the tradition of music in Anne’s
New Mexico family. Together, their Southwestern blend of Bluegrass and Roots provides a
unique heartbeat and lilt underscored by Anne’s driving bass. Their “perfect harmo-
nies” (Audiophilereview.com) are “…delivered with a sense of connection and joy, both in the
music and in sharing of it.” (Kerry Dexter, Wandering Educators)
Appearances by members of The Trio include Tucson’s Desert Bluegrass Festival, Pickin’ in the
Pines, Bighorn Mountain Festival, Swallow Hill in Denver, Durango Bluegrass Meltdown,
Albuquerque Folkfest, Wildflower Concerts, Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage, Rice Festival and
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. They were honored with an official showcase at Folk Alliance Region
West in Oct. ’12. As The Hard Road Trio + Bill Evans, The Trio joins forces with this extraordinary
banjo player for select shows.
Steve, Chris and Anne continue to be in
demand as teachers and clinicians (Camp
Bluegrass, Hill Country Acoustic Music
Camp, California Coast Music Camp and
Zoukfest). They are currently planning their
own workshop in the New Mexico Black
Range, Fall 2014.
“Hard Road Trio was a big hit at High
Mountain Hay Fever. Not only do they prove
(if ever there were doubters) that you don't
necessarily have to be from Boone County,
NC, to make great music; but they are at
once great folks to be around and great performers to have on your stage. They make any promoter look like a genius for booking them.” Ron Thomason, Chm. HMHF Bd. of Dir.
Their latest release Monticello peaked at #2 on the Cashbox Roots Music Chart, reaching #4 Top
Album on the Folk DJ Chart (tying with Willie Nelson) and #9 Top Artist. Monticello has been
played on over 200 stations nationwide and many overseas. New recording projects are being
planned as the trio collaborate continually on original works.
"This fine CD reminds me of the raw and colorful beauty of the New
Mexico landscape. Stories of honesty and power. Steve Smith shines on the mandolin... a
master." Tom Russell, El Paso.
“Monticello has a flavor of desert ease with rich tones,
colorful stories, heartfelt
sentiment and excellent
musicianship.” Claire
Lynch, Nashville
“This music will wash over
Hard Road Trio at Pickamania — Photo courtesy of Bruce Bloy
you like a warm desert sun. Sanders and Smith sing
together with rich, knowing voices that seem melded
together in time”. Missy Raines, Nashville
“Just when you thought Hard Road couldn't get any
better, out comes their new CD Monticello. What a great
combination of songwriting, singing, and playing in an
outstanding performance package. Steve, Chris, and
Anne all turn career performances in this not to be
missed package.” Alan Munde, Wimberley TX
“Perfect three-part harmonies, Spartan arrangements
and awesome mandolin playing make Monticello
something special.”
Audiophilereview.com
not just a standard, everyday band.”
“With songs covering topics ranging from a love of
nature (My Walden) to the pain of poverty (Crack in the
Sky), while also hitting on the common themes of love
and heartbreak, the Hard Road Trio shows that they are
John Goad, Bluegrass Today
“The Hard Road Trio present their music like waves reaching for dry land. There is constant
movement but nothing ragged. Each stroke or chord strum is performed with grace, the music
taking on a dignity and class.”
The Alternate Root Magazine
"…a special New Mexico ambience that feels both very specific and completely universal. The
Trio has the kind of empathic harmony that comes from deep listening and familiarity (as in
"familial")." Bruce Bergathon, WGLT, Station manager and host of "Acousticity"
To contact The Hard Road Trio
www.hardroadtrio.com
575-649-1595
[email protected]
Posters and press photos
available at
www.hardroadtrio.com