Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist Ray Cardwell has joined the Americana Vibes roster, the label of the Grammy-award winning Progressive Bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters.

Cardwell’s debut album on the label and fourth full-length release of his career, Singing Tree, has been produced by Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters and is slated for release on January 31, 2025. The second single, “Little Birdie”, is out now.

“Little Birdie” was originally composed and performed by the American Bluegrass duo The Stanley Brothers and released in 1972. Cardwell’s rendition features Garrett’s fiddle, and also harmonies courtesy of his friend and collaborator, New Grass Revival banjoist & vocalist John Cowan. 

Cardwell has deep Bluegrass roots that run back to performing with his family band in the mid-1970s, progressing to joining New Tradition, and creative detours in Hollywood and Nashville. In addition to his solo work, he also regularly records and tours with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Traffic) member Dave Mason. 

Singing Tree’s title pays homage to a childhood memory of a massive tree near Cardwell’s home in Missouri, known to him as “the singing tree”, under which he and his family would gather to share songs. Guests on the album will include banjo pickers Scott Vestal, Ryan Cavanaugh, and Andy Thor, as well as Cody Kilby on guitar, and John Cowan singing harmony vocals.