Hear the First Single from the Second Installment in the John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Here

John Hartford was a master of the fiddle and banjo. At the same time, his deep connection to the lore of the Mississippi River, witty lyrics, and instantly recognizable vocal style helped to make him a powerful force in the roots music world. While Hartford passed away more than 20 years ago, his legacy lives on through his music and the fans who love it. Today, fans can hear the first sample of the continuation of Hartford’s legacy with “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” featuring Kathy Mattea on vocals, the lead single from Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2.

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Katie Hartford Hogue, John’s daughter and a chief torchbearer for his musical legacy teamed up with Matt Combs in 2020 to create the first volume of the Fiddle Tune Project. That album featured some of the best acoustic musicians in the business playing never-before-heard Hartford songs. This time around Hogue joined forces with Sharon Gilchrist and Megan Lynch Chowning to bring some of her dad’s most beloved songs to life with some of the finest female pickers and singers in the current roots music canon.

[RELATED: World’s Finest Acoustic Musicians Come Together To Bring Unheard John Hartford Songs To Life]

More on the John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2

The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2 features Rachel Baiman, Phoebe Hunt, Ginger Boatwright, Brittany Haas, Deanie Richardson, Allison de Groot, Della Mae, The Price Sisters, Uncle Earl, and more. The musicians bring life to thirteen new instrumentals from Hartford’s collection as well as five covers of some of his most loved songs.

“The whole goal of this project is to do good, and to further Dad‘s legacy by releasing his tunes into the ’fiddleverse’ to be recorded and played and become earworms in the minds of musicians and listeners,” Hogue told American Songwriter. “We want this project to create community spaces and places for people to come and be active, and feel seen. We want to support artists I mean, we have 48 artists on the upcoming album, which is crazy cool,” she added.

Julia Belle Tracklist  

Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Volume 2 will be available everywhere on February 28. Pre-order or pre-save your copy today.

1. Irish Familiarity
2. The Julia Belle Swain
3. Grant Marsh & Joseph La Barge/Little Pig/Entertainment Tonight (medley)
4. Spirit of the South
5. Availability
6. I’m Still Here
7. Kenny and Mac
8. Merry Christmas
9. Learning To Smile All Over Again
10. Royal Box Waltz
11. Takes Her Clothes Off
12. Gasoline Alley No. 1
13. No End of Love
14. Living Up Stairs
15. Not Soft Enough
16. Don’t Throw Her Down
17. Steam Powered Aereo Plane
18. Champagne Blues

Featured Image by Paul Natkin/Getty Images