For his first new music since the release of 2023’s critically acclaimed solo album, Leaving Is Believing, singer/songwriter/mandolinist Ashby Frank commemorated the passing of long-time friend and colleague, legendary banjoist Terry Baucom, by remaking the latter’s signature instrumental, “Knee Deep in Bluegrass,” and taking it to the top of the bluegrass charts. Now, the Mountain Home Music Company artist returns with another cover that underlines his keen ear for a great song, his affinity for material that deals in matters beyond the typical bluegrass subjects, and the depth and reach of his interpretive powers.
“'God Gave Me Horses’ was co-written by one of my favorite Nashville songwriters, the great Connie Harrington,” says Frank, “along with Leigh Nash, who is well-known for her solo recording career as well as being the lead singer for the band Sixpence None The Richer. A mutual friend of mine and Leigh’s played me her original cut of this song when she released it, and I was blown away by the lyrics; I knew instantly that I wanted to record it with a rootsy bluegrass treatment.”
Indeed, Frank’s arrangement of the song is a masterful reworking, swapping the original’s electric-leaning, rock-flavored setting for the more subtle textures of mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo and upright bass from the singer and a few Mountain Heart colleagues who double as some of Nashville’s most sought-after players: Travis Anderson (bass), Matt Menefee (banjo) and Seth Taylor (guitar). And while the track has an unmistakable bluegrass feel to it, Frank wasn’t afraid to elicit some unusual touches, like Anderson’s bowed bass or the nuanced drumming of master studio musician Tony Creasman.
“There are a lot of classic ‘prison songs’ that are considered bluegrass standards that talk about despair, hopelessness, and regret,” Frank notes, “but this composition has a more contemporary and positive message that I think will resonate with listeners of every generation. I’m so pleased with how this track turned out, and especially grateful to my great friend and Mountain Home Music label mate, Jaelee Roberts, for lending her voice to this track. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
"God Gave Me Horses" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.
