The Splinters are a Boston based mandolin and guitar duo, born out of a lifelong friendship playing in jazz and folk groups. Formed in 2010, they have been exploring both the traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scrugs, and the Stanley Brothers as well as more contemporary songs from Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, David Grisman, and Jerry Garcia. A set of fiddle tunes usually round out a live performance. J Johnson (mandolin, vocals) grew up in Cleveland and moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music in the Jazz Composition program. In addition to piano and keyboards, J played guitar in local bands before picking up the mandolin, a 1918 Gibson A model. Chris Reckling (guitar, vocals) was born in Texas, but lived most of his misspent youth in Arizona playing folk music. He came east to Boston and Berklee College of Music to study jazz composition and arranging. Back in the day, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's first Will the Circle Be Unbroken was an early influence. Chris plays a 2000 Martin D-18GE on this recording. About the Songs Shady Grove. A powerful combination of Jerry Garcia, Doc Watson, and Tony Rice versions of this tune makes for a new, yet familiar interpretation. I Wish You Knew. The Louvin Brothers wrote this song in the 1950s and captures the feelings of a lost love so perfectly. Darlin Cory. A traditional murder ballad, done with a D drone and modal feel. Make Me a Palette on the Floor. This old song comes from many sources, including Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, and Gillian Welch. We blended all those together along with a bit of swing. Over the Waterfall. A fiddle tune in D with a twist, which is why we like it. Rain & Snow. Even though the Grateful Dead had a popular version of this song, we got it from the bluegrass tradition. It’s an old murder ballad that of course includes a dose of betrayal and sadness. East Virginia Blues. This song seems to take two paths in the tradition - one about a forbidden love and one about simple longing. We took the latter path because that's what we do. Roll On, Buddy. We got this tune out of a book of early country songs, which had the rarely heard fourth verse used on this recording. Red Rockin’ Chair. All the standard bluegrass ingredients of love, betrayal, sadness, and even bitterness, in a minor key. Black-eyed Suzie. A real old timey hoedown, with a little Soldier’s Joy in the middle of this one. There are many more verses, so you have to choose carefully which one's you want, without offending. This one dates back to the 16th century British Isles. June Apple. This was the first fiddle tune we ever worked on, so it is appropriate to end on it. It’s a popular old time dance tune from southwest Virginia and North Carolina. We like to slow it down a bit in this version so you can really hear the pretty melody. If you enjoy the music, tell a friend and come out to a show.