Prior to forming his own band in 1979, Doyle Lawson had been a Sunny Mountain Boy (with Jimmy Martin), a Kentucky Mountain Boy (with J.D. Crowe) and a Country Gentleman. Over the years, Lawson has been presented with a National Heritage Fellowship, awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree, and inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. For eight times, his band has been recognized as IBMA’s Vocal Group of the Year.  Entitled Roundtable, this album features the group’s four lead vocalists, as well as offers a “discussion in melody and harmony.”

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have long established themselves as a bona fide triple threat with stylish vocals, a constant stream of excellent songs, enhanced by fresh arrangements, instrumental interplay and production.  Standout tracks include “In Those Days,” “Lazy Whipporwill,” “Would You Carry Me,” and “Between the Lines.”  Interestingly and a testament to this band’s vocal abilities, each is sung by a different lead vocalist (Ben James, Jerry Cole, Eli Johnston and Matt Flake, respectively). This year, I was saddened when Lawson announced that he plans to retire after the 2022 season. In the meantime, enjoy the Roundtable, a musical study in how an award-winning band functions successfully with each band member sharing the spotlight on equal terms.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)