Hailing from South Carolina, Andrew Crawford is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter with considerable years of experience working with artists in the genres of Bluegrass, Americana and Country. Now associated with the Bonfire Music Group, Crawford’s debut bluegrass album, The Lonesome Season, is a great introduction to an eclectic artist who displays solid musicianship and emotionally-charged vocalizing.  Highlighting his original compositions, it becomes immediately apparent that Crawford is also a storyteller who likes to share tales of home, hard luck and heartbreak in songs like “The House That Daddy Built,” “The Lonesome Season,” “How Many Miles of Track,” “My Share of Heartache,” “Big Montana” and “The Will.”

Crawford’s tracks feature many first-class ‘grassers, including Tim Crouch (fiddle), Aaron Ramsey (mandolin), Patton Wages (banjo), Jason Moore (bass), Curtis Bumgarner (banjo), and others - Josh Shilling, Jeff Partin, Josh Harris, Sterling Wait, Glen Harrell, Brian Stephens, Maggie Stephens, John Rice and Daniel Salyer. I wish liner notes would’ve indicated who is playing what. A couple instrumentals, “Land of the Giants” and “Fear of the Mountains” are highly engineered, clever tunes with some interpretive twists. 

In the album’s snappy title track, Crawford sings a lyrical message that many can relate to if they’ve encountered trials and tribulations during a challenging period in their lives. He encourages us to stay focused and optimistic as we fight battles and search for hope, peace and love. “Always Another Mountain” is a song inspired by Crawford’s living the life of a touring musician. It’s a treat to hear some new bluegrass from troubadour Andrew Crawford who serves up his songs in a warm-hearted, inviting manner. A skillful mood caster, Crawford conveys heartfelt slice-of-life stories with plainspoken lyrics and instrumental bluegrass prowess. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)