Album Review of
If You Hadn't Noticed

Written by Joe Ross
January 30, 2024 - 1:34am EST
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From East Kentucky, The Goodwin Brothers are stepping up their smooth countrified, radio-friendly bluegrass game since signing with Pinecastle Records in 2022. Covering many musical moods with their eclectic material and soaring vocals, the trio features brothers Jonathan (banjo, guitar) and William (mandolin) with vocalist Kenneth Chase Bush. If You Hadn’t Noticed also includes many other top-ranked session musicians on fiddle, banjo, bass and even a few tracks with colorings of Dobro or percussion. The accompanists read like a who’s who of bluegrass - Sammy Shelor, Russ Carson, Scott Vestal, Michael Cleveland, Aubrey Haynie, Jim VanCleve, Josh Swift, Rob Ickes, Eric Darken, Mark Fain, Curtis Vestal, Gary Lunn, Shaun Richardson and Cody Kilby. The trio’s expressive, enticing vocals tracked with lively instrumental work have already taken this album to #11 on The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Bluegrass Album Chart (in early December 2023).

When the brothers were only 14 and 12, they recorded their first album in 1999. A veteran of the gospel music industry, Jonathan owns a record label and produces many gospel music artists. William was lead singer with a gospel group called Assembled that released an album in 2015. Kenneth “Chase” Bush was a finalist on season five of American Idol in 2006. Together, The Goodwin Brothers released their first self-titled bluegrass album in 2021.

Now associated with Pinecastle Records, I’m certain that The Goodwin Brothers will turn a lot of heads in the bluegrass community with their consummate musicianship, radiant vocals, raw energy and brash attitude that come with youth. Standout tracks include Midnight Train, Down to the Mill, Fall of the Year, Everyday Thing, Barefoot Girl, and Shady Grove.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)