Dusters head "Toward the Fray"

The Infamous Stringdusters put out the first song of their upcoming "Toward the Fray" CD with the release of the title track today.

Just before the annual International Bluegrass Music Association Conference was due to kick off two weeks ago, the band announced that a new Dusters record, "Toward the Fray," would be out on Feb. 18, 2022 on Americana Vibes via Regime Music Group.

"Toward the Fray" is the band's first studio album of all original material since 2019's "Rise Sun."

"Sometimes the times call for some serious reflection, and these songs really hit home," said Dobroist member Andy Hall. "Get ready to go deep with us."

"Not only in the subject matter, but it turned out to be the last song I wrote with my dear friend and writing partner Travis McKeveny who passed away tragically in September 2021. We were both very proud of how this song turned out, which was cut live in the studio in 2020, he said.

Lyrics include:
Death unfolds before my eyes
A frightened man's unheeded cries
People, oh people
Trapped beneath the knee
Of the law gone wrong
And the force of history

Another too soon laid to rest
Some folks weep, some beat their chests
People, oh people
(Let us) stand on freedom's side
For there can be no peace
Wherever justice is denied

As cities burn in summer heat
Temptation bids us to retreat
But people, my people
There's is no other way
To love, except to turn
Our timid souls toward the fray.

The Infamous Stringdusters are back on tour. The band announced this week they are back at The National in Richmond, Va. for a three-night New Year's Eve run. The band will be joined by special guests Sam Bush on Dec. 30 and Keller Williams on Jan. 1, while the Dec. 31 show is billed as a 3-set "Evening With..."

Tour dates are:
Oct. 15 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
Oct. 16 - Live Oak, FL - Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
Oct. 17 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues New Orleans
Nov. 12 - Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom
Nov. 13 -`4- Salt Lake City, UT - The Commonwealth Room
Nov. 16- Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
Nov. 17 - Jackson, WY - Center for the Arts
Nov. 18 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Nov. 19 - Bozeman, MT - Elm
Nov. 20 - Missoula, MT - The Wilma
Dec. 9-13 - Puerto Morelos, MX - Strings & Sol
Dec. 30 - Jan. 1 - Richmond, VA - The National