"Finnland" Ft. Andy Leftwich

new banjo & Fiddle anthem reaches #1

“I wrote ‘Finnland’ with the goal of representing my love for how a banjo and fiddle have paired together through the history of string music to what we now consider modern day Bluegrass,” says Daniel Grindstaff. “It’s an honor to have the great Andy Leftwich join in and bring his superb fiddle work to make this song what I envisioned while writing it. The title and upbeat tempo of ‘Finnland’ is inspired by the sweet, innocent spirit of my oldest boy, Finn. The intricate patterns between banjo and fiddle reflect the beautiful mind of his that’s always thinking, always spinning and always inspiring.”

Leftwich adds, “It’s not very often you hear banjo/fiddle tunes in the key of B, but in this case, ‘Finnland’ offers a fun and exciting melody that makes for a perfect bluegrass instrumental! Backed by phenomenal players and a great arrangement, I’m honored to have the role playing fiddle on this one!”

"Finnland" has made a grand entrance in Bluegrass music, maintaining two consecutive weeks in the #1 position and reached #1 for the month of March 2024 on the Bluegrass Today charts! 

Download/stream "Finnland" here

"Forever young" ft. paul brewster & dolly parton Hits #1!

"Forever Young" Featuring Paul Brewster & Dolly Parton

#1 song in bluegrass music October 2023

Daniel Grindstaff's version of "Forever Young" ft. Paul Brewster & Dolly Parton has been one of the most celebrated new releases in Bluegrass music. Topping the airplay charts and climbing to the #1 position for the month of October, 2023. The celebration continued with the release of a new lyric video and a shout out from Legendary Pop-Singer Rod Stewart offering his kind words "Thank you for this wonderful cover Daniel, Paul and Dolly. Congrats on the #1" 

“The timeless lyrics of “Forever Young” speak of a parent’s love, overcoming adversity, embracing the good times and good memories. Producing this song was an honor. A wonderful cast of heroes and friends joined me in the studio along with special guest vocalists, the great Paul Brewster and the legendary Dolly Parton. Their vocals are nothing short of amazing. Their kindness in agreeing to sing on the track and making a dream of mine become reality is something I will never forget. That kindness and encouragement is what I hope conveys to the listener.”  -Daniel Grindstaff

“Be courageous and be brave and in my heart, you’ll always remain Forever Young.”  

 “A great musician, a great Brother in Christ and what a great project. Thanks for my little part in this Daniel, and of course I am thankful Dolly agreed to come on board and add her iconic voice to the song, which was amazing!”  -Paul Brewster (7-time Grammy Award Winner/IBMA Award Winner)

Download/stream "Forever Young" Here

"Three Arrows" available now!

First Single from "Heroes & Friends"

“Three Arrows” is the first single as part of my “Heroes & Friends” project on Bonfire Music Group. I wrote this song for my boys, Owen and Finn and it happens to be the first instrumental I’ve written that I have recorded. The talented friends who joined me in the studio are Trey Hensley, Andy Leftwich, Stephen Burwell, and Kent Blanton. Making the song even more special is that a portion of the proceeds will go to the FRIENDS Down Syndrome support group in East Tennessee, a non-profit organization very close to my heart. Music can lift spirits and bring a smile; I hope that’s what this tune does while also embracing this wonderful organization. Download “Three Arrows” wherever you stream music!

Download "Three Arrows" Here
“I’ve known Daniel for many years, he’s been a great picker from the first time I met him! This project I believe is a testament to that! He and I are both very heavily influenced by Earl Scruggs, JD Crowe and Sonny Osborne. You can hear those inflections in this great recording! But, make no mistake, this is pure Daniel Grindstaff! Nice work Pal! ” - Rob McCoury (Del McCoury Band/Travelin’ McCourys)
“I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Grindstaff backstage at the Grand Ole Opry when he was only 18 years old, he was playing banjo for the Legendary group Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. First of all, to be working in a band who are Grand Ole Opry members at that age is a huge accomplishment in itself, but I looked past his young age and saw and heard a young man far beyond his years both as a musician and as a gentleman. I am proud to call him friend and know you’ll greatly enjoy this recording. ” - Jim Mills 2023 (6-time IBMA Banjo player of the year and 6-time Grammy Award Winner)
“I first met Daniel when he was 13 years old. Daniel had been playing about 6 months and within a few short years he became one of the best banjo players on the circuit. Over the years Daniel and I have remained great friends and I highly esteem his dedication to the Lord and his family. "Three Arrows" is such a great melody at the perfect tempo for banjo. I'm really looking forward to more music from Daniel in the years to come. Now I'm off to learn this tune myself!” - Jim Britton (Ceres Banjo Works)

About

Daniel Grindstaff

Biography

Over the years, banjo extraordinaire Daniel Grindstaff has carved out his own path in the Bluegrass, Americana and Country industries. Along the way, he’s shared the stage with some of his biggest musical heroes, appeared countless times at the iconic Grand Ole Opry and made several national television appearances. A native of East Tennessee, he has performed across the United States and Canada with some of the very best in Bluegrass, Acoustic, and Country music.

Daniel began his professional music career at the young age of 18, performing at the Opry in Nashville, Tennessee with late bluegrass legends Jim and Jesse McReynolds. At the age of 21, Daniel was not only performing with the McReynolds’, but had also been called upon to take the stage with the iconic Osborne Brothers, best known for their familiar hit and Tennessee state song “Rocky Top.” In the fall of 2006, Daniel began touring with Grammy Award winning artist, Marty Raybon. For the next five years Daniel remained an important part of Raybon’s studio recordings and concerts.

 

As the years followed, Grindstaff kept forging along, releasing new music of his own and doing what he loves, which is performing for fans. With a musical career that covers hundreds of appearances on the coveted stage of the Grand Ole Opry (as recent as 2024 with Daily & Vincent), national television appearances on Fox News morning show “Fox & Friends,” Smithsonian Folklife Festival, CMA Music Fest in Nashville, hundreds of live concerts, and many studio recordings, Daniel Grindstaff’s musical career and accomplishments speak for themselves, and he’s just getting started!

All that experience is coming full circle with the release of his 2024 solo project, Heroes & Friends, released via Bonfire Music Group. It quickly stuck a chord, with the single “Forever Young” featuring Dolly Parton and Paul Brewster hitting No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Airplay Survey and the follow-up release “Finnland” feat. Andy Leftwich topping the Bluegrass Today Monthly Airplay Chart. Other artists featured on the collection include Jimmy Fortune, Rickey Wasson, Doyle Lawson and Kevin Richardson. It’s safe to say, the future is certainly looking bright for the chart-topping hitmaker.

“"Three Arrows" by Daniel Grindstaff is a wonderful representation of who he is a banjo player and man. Solid, tasteful, grounded in the essentials, with something valuable to say. I've been a fan of his for a long time. ” - Kristin Scott-Benson (5-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year)
“Listening to "Three Arrows" by my good friend Daniel Grindstaff reminds me of why I fell in love with the banjo. This is one of the best original banjo tunes I've heard in many a moon, played with fire and passion by Daniel and a cast of the some of the best musicians in Bluegrass Music. ” - Jason Burleson (Multi award winning Blue Highway)

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