Dave Bagdade Tomorrow’s Bluegrass Today Every bluegrass musician at some point must confront this question: Do I want to try to do something new and original rather than sticking with the tried-and-true classics? If so, can I do it while paying proper respect to the history and tradition? Dave Bagdade (BAG-dad), a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, answers both questions with a resounding yes. Dave’s newly released third album, History in My Hands, is his first all-bluegrass all-original offering. History contains Dave’s performances on mandolin and guitar on nine self-written songs and one instrumental; a second instrumental was written by banjoist Bob Perlstein. The album represents Dave’s attempt to put a new spin on traditional bluegrass by writing new material which fits well alongside old classics. The songs on History run the gamut, from wry humor (“Somebody Else’s Problem,” “Hyram Byrum’s County Store” and “Recession Special”) to love and loss (“Bedroom Walls,” “Maybe Someday”) to a one-of-a-kind chance encounter (the title track). The instrumentals are Dave’s “From Rosine to Rosedale,” a bluesy waltz honoring both Bill Monroe and Robert Johnson, and the banjo-driven “Leaving Walnut Valley,” written by Dave’s frequent collaborator Bob Perlstein. The leadoff track and single, “We Can Just Pretend,” a driving Monroe-style number, features Portuguese musician Andre Dal on banjo, making History a truly multi-cultural bluegrass album. Along with Bob and Andre, the album’s performers include some of the Midwest’s finest bluegrass musicians, such as fiddler Greg Moore, banjoists Ron Wedekind and Rich Walter, and the legendary Angus Cohen on bass. Dave is originally from Chicago and now resides in Indianapolis. He has almost three decades of experience as a bluegrass musician, and he has performed on stages in twelve states as well as Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal and Switzerland. Current Releases on Fortnight Records: Dave Bagdade History in My Hands Album - FNCD 1004 Dave Bagdade “We Can Just Pretend” Single - FNCD 1005S Genre: Bluegrass Secondary Genre: Americana Country