If you go
› What: FrazierBand and Winston Ramble› When: 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1› What: Annabelle’s Curse› When: 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2› Where: Clyde’s On Main, 122 W. Main St.› Admission: $5 cover› For more information: 423-362-8335
In a city full of talented musicians, to be named Instrumentalist of the Year by Nashville Scene magazine is an honor that carries some heft.
John Frazier, known for his mastery of mandolin, guitar and fiddle, won that award last year. Frazier has created a new sound that combines bluegrass, rock and roots music into what is being called "Progressive Bluegrass Fusion."
Chattanoogans can hear it Friday night, Sept. 1, when FrazierBand, the bluegrass/roots/rock band from Nashville that he fronts, plays Clyde's on Main with Winston Ramble.
Annabelle's Curse, an alt-folk band from Bristol, Tenn., takes the stage at Clyde's on Saturday, Sept, 2. Shows both nights start at 10 p.m.
Frazier is a Philadelphia, Pa., native who moved to Nashville in the winter of 2006. The musician quickly established himself among Music City's elite acoustic performers and scored spots with newgrass ensemble John Cowan Band and the Grammy-winning Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass Band.
He has toured and performed with bluegrass legends Del McCoury, Tony Rice and JD Crowe as well as newgrass pioneers Sam Bush and Bela Fleck. In 2009, Frazier toured with comedy legend Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. During that tour, Frazier, Martin and the Rangers co-wrote "Go Away, Stop, Turn Around, Come Back," which Martin recorded on "Rare Bird Alert."
Frazier developed his freewheeling musical creativity with FrazierBand, the group he launched in 2010. The band includes banjo players Matt Menefee and Kyle Tuttle and drummer James Kittleman.
They've released three albums: "FrazierBand," "Live at the Five Spot" and "Some People Change."