After 12 years of nonstop touring in the U.S. and abroad—first with Milwaukee’s Grass, Food & Lodging, followed by the groundbreaking New York-based band Tony Trischka and Skyline—I took leave from life on the road and in 1990 moved to the greater DC area, which I’ve come to call home.
I hadn’t been here long before I crossed paths with another NYC transplant and acquaintance, Ira Gitlin, who over the years has become a musical constant in my life and great friend. Through Ira—and a bit of bluegrass hobnobbing—I came to know both Randy Barrett and Tom McLaughlin. Our musical relationship began with a string of pickup gigs spread over several years. The more we played together, the more the artistic depth and musicianship of these individuals became an irresistible magnet for me. Then, finally, we said the “band” word out loud and officially became Big Howdy
What’s special about this group? Where do I begin? There’s Randy Barrett: a prolific and soulful songwriter, stellar banjo player, and singer of power, depth, and conviction. Randy also serves as president of the Bluegrass Country Foundation and previously led the DC Bluegrass Union. Then there’s mandolin player Tom McLaughlin, whose broad command of the instrument is a masterclass in technique and taste. Tom occasionally switches to lead guitar, where he displays the same level of skill and musicality, and sometimes adds a well-placed harmony vocal. Finally, there’s our bass player and harmony singer, Ira Gitlin, who is also a fine guitarist—not to mention having won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship at Winfield, Kansas.
Put these people together and you get far more than the sum of their parts. You get music with a charismatic originality that is at once powerful and beautiful, raw and refined.
With Big Howdy, we’ve all found a musical home. My bandmates and I hope you enjoy this collection of songs we’ve chosen and crafted for your listening pleasure.
—Dede Wyland
Big Howdy
Dede Wyland: Guitar, Vocals
Randy Barrett: Banjo, Guitar, Vocals
Tom McLaughlin: Mandolin, Vocals
Ira Gitlin: Bass, Vocals
with
Ron Stewart: Fiddle
Fred Travers: Dobro
All Along
Richmon Safford
Hillbilly Chrome
You're the Only One for Me
Little Darlin'
Cowboy Yodel Song
When a Good Girl Goes Bad
Passin' Through
He Makes You Strong
Road to Kingdom Come
You Are the One
Don't Let Our Love Die
Cold Frosty Morning