Media Mail (Books, CDs, DVDs)
Country Cooking – 26 Bluegrass Instrumentals
The earliest recordings of Pete Wernick, Tony Trischka, Russ Barenberg, and more, from the early 1970s, mostly original material.
Pete Wernick – On a Roll
Pete’s definitive solo album, including the #1 hit, “Ruthie”, “Old Box of Memories”, and the first recordings of his “flexigrass” sound with vibes and clarinet. The all-star cast includes Tim O’Brien, Jeff White, Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg, and Edgar Meyer. Produced by Jerry Douglas, and nominated for IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year.
Hot Rize – 40th Anniversary Bash
To honor their 40 years as a band, Hot Rize had a big party back in the band’s long-time home base of Boulder, three sold-out shows at the famed Boulder Theater, and they invited along some very special friends. As one of the most respected and influential bands in bluegrass music, this brilliantly talented foursome- Pete Wernick (banjo), Tim O’Brien (mandolin, fiddle), Bryan Sutton (guitar), and Nick Forster- captured an incredible weekend of music. Having selected the best of those unforgettable performances, the venerable quartet curated one super-charged, 19-song set for this historic release: Hot Rize 40th Anniversary Bash.
Intermediate Bluegrass Jamming: DVD
A 22-song moderate-speed workout with plenty of soloing opportunities The most challenging of the three jam videos assumes the viewer is already a jammer, and offers 22 full-length songs at medium tempos, with two chances to solo in every song. Available as download/stream or DVD.
Hot Rize – So Long Of A Journey
The Hot Rize live record from their 1996 tour. Nineteen cuts, with many old favorites and some never previously recorded. This is Pete’s favorite CD that he’s on! “What a pleasure to hear this gem, a live album just about … Read More
Beginning Bluegrass Banjo
Best Seller! Two-hour video + tab. Months’ worth of learning, just $30.00. A step-by-step method based on 20 years teaching. Split-screen closeups, fast/slow repetitions make video learning best! You’ll learn basic left hand technique, standard right hand rolls, essential licks, elementary and intermediate arrangements , and more. Available as download/stream only.
Hot Rize – Take It Home
Grammy nominee, with IBMA Song of the Year, Colleen Malone… Songs Include: Colleen Malone Rocky Road Blues A Voice On the Wind Bending Blades Gone Fishing Think Of What You’ve Done Climb the Ladder Money To Burn The Bravest … Read More
Available Separately:
Pete Wernick – AcuTab Transcriptions Vol. I
All the solos from Pete’s ON A ROLL album plus a special bonus section of selected Hot Rize solos. More than 40 solos from 20 songs. Plus many photos, complete left and right hand fingerings, and learning tips and comments from Pete.
Tablatures from Hot Rize – Take It Home
Download one or more tabs from the Take It Home CD.
Hot Rize – Untold Stories
“Brilliant bluegrass music. Unquestionably virtuoso” — Rolling Stone “One of the year’s best string band albums” — Washington Post Songs Include: Are You Tired of Me, My Darlin’ Untold Stories Just Like You Country Blues Bluegrass Part Three Won’t You … Read More
Hot Rize – Traditional Ties
“Highly recommended” — Bluegrass Unlimited “A tour de force” — Frets “Recommended” — Billboard Listen to a sample from this CD Songs Include: Hard Pressed If I Should Wander Back Tonight Walk the Way the Wind Blows Hear Jerusalem Moan … Read More
How to Make a Band Work
The classic from the 90s, based on Pete’s experience with Hot Rize and other groups, now out of print and available as a 142-page pdf for download. Though of course dated in places (pre-internet advice), the book’s info and advice has enduring value throughout most of its sections.
Hot Rize – In Concert
“A winning combination of creativity and traditional bluegrass” — Country Rhythms “Excellent, dynamic, and highly entertaining” — County Sales Listen to a sample from this CD This CD is actually two full-length albums combined, the live album by Red Knuckles … Read More
Hot Rize – Radio Boogie
“One of the best bluegrass bands in the country” — Stereo Review “The state of the art in mainstream bluegrass” — Frets Listen to a sample from this CD Songs Include: Radio Boogie Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow Wild Bill Jones … Read More
Hot Rize – First (“Biscuit”) Album
“A joy to hear”
— Country Music
“Some of the best bluegrass in recent years.”
–Blueprint
Red Knuckles & Trailblazers – The French Way
Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers Honky Tonk Swing Music; The French Way. Recorded in Normandy, France, June, 1984 – 40 years after D Day. Enjoy classics including Pistol Packin’ Mama, Deep Water, In the Jailhouse Now, Cadillacin Model A, Roughneck Blues, and more, done up The French Way featuring Red Knuckles, Wendell Mercantile, Waldo Otto, and Slade.
Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers – Shades of the Past
“The best western swing and honky tonk music since Lefty Frizell, Hank Williams and Bob Wills.”
— Albany Metrowest Weekend
Hot Rize w/Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers DVD
Why Hot Rize was called the greatest show in Bluegrass! 57 minutes with 19 musical cuts plus interviews. Top notch color and audio quality, a “Lonesome Pine Special”, KET-TV series. “This gem captures the band at its peak.” (Denver Post)
Pete Wernick – Dr. Banjo Steps Out
Pete’s groundbreaking pre-Hot Rize album with Tim O’Brien, and Andy Statman, and Pete’s introduction of his phase-shifted banjo sound in “Niwot Music”.
Pete Wernick & FLEXIGRASS – What The
“An adventurous expression of creative genius. Sleek sextet of ultra-talented, slightly crazy musicians.”
— Bluegrass Now
“A musical tapestry that is new and exciting.”
— Banjo Newsletter
“Intriguing and innovative.”
— Bluegrass Music Profiles
“A five-star gourmet meal, undeniably par excellence.”
— Sing Out!
Pete Wernick’s Live Five – Up All Night
There’s never been a band like Flexigrass. 14 cuts of the band’s exciting and surprising sounds, with seven original tunes, three live cuts, and three vocals, including My Buddy by Joan Wernick. Check out what the band does with two Earl Scruggs instrumental including Foggy Mt. Breakdown and one by Benny Goodman!
“I love how the Live Five (now Flexigrass) blends bluegrass banjo into an early jazz group. Very appealing and interesting.”
— Bela Fleck
Pete Wernick’s Live Five – I Tell You What
Pete’s current band has an exciting sound all its own: “Flatt and Scruggs meets Benny Goodman.” Pete’s driving, inventive bluegrass banjo blends with great players from other American traditional music forms dixieland clarinet as well as vibraphone.
“Exciting, intriguing… Superb composing and arranging.”
— Bluegrass Unlimited
“Fun, entertaining. Top-notch musicians.”
— Sing Out!
Steve Martin – The Crow
Bluegrass Grammy winner for 2010 and bluegrass bestseller of 2009! Steve Martin’s first banjo album features many of his originals in both Scruggs and clawhammer style. Pete helped produce the CD and is featured on it. As part of an all-star cast, Pete plays on “Pretty Flowers,” sung by Vince Gill and Dolly Parton, and on the instrumental, “Words Unspoken,” that he and Steve co-wrote.
Long Road Home – Live from eTown Hall
Recorded May, 2009 in Boulder, CO. Strong and spirited traditional bluegrass by a great new Colorado band. Includes band originals and songs from Porter Wagonner to Moby Grape!
Pete and Joan Wernick – Windy Mountain
Listen to a sample from this CD This acclaimed album celebrates the long musical relationship of Dr. and Nurse Banjo. Songs Include: I’ve Endured, Nobody’s Darling But Mine, Mama’s Hand, Windy Mountain, Caves of Jericho, and more.
Chris Thile – Leading Off
Chris’s first album, produced by Pete Wernick and with Pete Wernick playing banjo on most cuts. Brilliant playing and composing by Chris Thile (then 13 years old), with Stuart Duncan, Scott Nygaard, Byron Berline, Dennis Caplinger.
Jeff White – The Broken Road
Another 13 great cuts by Jeff and the crew from The White Album. Pete Wernick does the banjo work and had a hand in writing four of the songs.