The Greencards ready fourth disc, tour

"Fascination" drops April 21 on Sugar Hill. The trio - singer/bassist Carol Young and multiple stringed-instrument master Kym Warner from Australia, and violinist/violist Eamon McLoughlin from the U.K - released their first three albums on Dualtone.

The group won the Americana Music Award in 2006 for "Emerging Artist of the Year" and in 2008 landed a Grammy nomination ("Best Country Instrumental Performance" for Viridian).

Jay Joyce produced the new disc. "We'd heard all these great records that Jay had made with Patty Griffin, John Hiatt and so many artists we love," Young said. "But how would he utilize the fiddle, cello, mandolin, bouzouki and bass - the core of the band - without putting layers and electronic sounds on it? We were very pleasantly surprised at how he just wanted us to play the songs and let our instruments speak for themselves."

The Greencards debuted in 2003 with "Movin' On." They followed that up with 2005's "Weather and Water." "Viridian" came out in 2007.

The Greencards will be on the road all year, with dates starting Jan. 15 in Colorado. Their schedule will include playing several festivals including the Old Settlers Music Festival in Austin, MerleFest 2009 in Wilkesboro, N.C. and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado.