Adjust your receivers to the remote frequencies on station BGRS to hear Stay Tuned's self-titled album debut. Except for the spiritual "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," the tuneful songs (16 total) were written by the band members. From the state of Washington, Stay Tuned is characteristic of many Pacific Northwest groups - they incorporate a wide variety of regional themes and multi-genre influences from bluegrass, folk, country and western swing into their own original music. Acknowledging that they are more than just another bluegrass band, they prefer to be known for their "refreshing original acoustic music." They embrace bluegrass instrumentation for their joyful and affable presentation. In fact, this quartet's members took rather circuitous routes to their current beguiling music. 

Alan Ehrlich (banjo, vocals) grew up in New York City and sang do-wop music in high school before heading westward to California, Colorado and Washington where he joined up with the band, Rainy Pass. He wrote six of the songs on this project, and his "Highway 99" tells an interesting swinging travelogue about stepping back in time the Alaska Way Viaduct. Fiddler Paul Elliott appears as a guest, and a few more songs on Stay Tuned's first album could've used that (or some Dobro) instrumental embellishment. Mandolinist/singer Pete Goodall was born in southern California, and I presume that his career in information technology brought him to the northwest. He hosts the "Bluegrass Ramble" weekly radio show on KBCS in Seattle. Pete wrote or co-wrote eight numbers on the CD. It's bad enough to be left all alone, but in "My New Roommate is the Blues," Pete humorously says how she left - with an e-mail addressed "to whom it may concern." High school teacher Terry O'Brien (guitar, mandolin, vocals) grew up in Seattle, played electric in high school, but has gravitated back to acoustic music. Inspired by the scenic beauty in their neck of the woods, "Deception Pass" is a crafty instrumental with dawg music overtones. Another native northwesterner, bassist Mary Sackmann has played piano, picked guitar, sang in choirs, and performed in an all-women band. Usually in more of a support role, Mary sings lead on three songs on the album. 

On the 53-minute album, this band offers up plenty of sheer creative audacity in a sparkling and friendly manner. In their down-home manner, mere enthusiasm enhances their appeal. At community events and regional festivals, they'd be well received. They epitomize some of the tantalizing bluegrass foundation of the northwest. And how can you not enjoy their enlightened original perspectives and comic expressions of affirmative spirit? A takeoff on "Pig in a Pen," their rendition of "Pig in a Can" sounds more like Bill Monroe meets Cab Calloway. They should plug some of these songs to big names looking for new cheery material. (Joe Ross)