The Mountain Grass Unit, Birmingham, Alabama

12/27/2024

MGU (L-R) Josiah, Sam, Drury and Luke play before a sold-out hometown crowd in Birmingham

My friend, Wade Anderson, and I have known each other since just before we graduated law school back in 1987. We became best of friends in the years following, walking, running, hiking, biking, and backpacking, among other things, together over the years.

There was music, too. Wade picked up his guitar again after law school and over the years that followed played for me and other friends and family at parties and gatherings where music is wanted and needed.

We both remained in Birmingham where we married our brides and raised our children and practiced law.

I was privileged to watch Drury, Wade's oldest child, lead singer and mandolin player for Mountain Grass Unit (MGU), grow up. Drury is bright, engaging and one of the kindest men you'll ever meet. Oh, and he's an Eagle Scout.

Last summer while Melanie was working as a seasonal National Park Service ranger in Salem, Massachusetts, I took the opportunity to ride into Boston to have lunch with Drury and MGU guitarist, Luke Black. They are about to graduate from Berklee College of Music.

During lunch, Drury and Luke graciously agreed to allow me to photograph what became MGU's sold-out concert in Birmingham at Iron City.

Recently, MP3 Magazine, covering MGU at a show in Asheville, North Carolina at The Orange Peel, said of MGU:

By the time the final notes rang out, the room was buzzing with the kind of post-show euphoria that only happens when a band delivers something truly special. Mountain Grass Unit didn’t just play a sold-out show—they cemented themselves as the next group of bluegrass innovators, proving they can hold their own among the genre’s greats. If their Orange Peel performance was any indication, it won’t be long before they’re the ones selling out multi-night runs in the biggest venues.

Mind how you go, boys, and thanks for a great evening.

Sound Check and backstage