The Greencards

Those of you who are equal enthusiasts of British folk and American bluegrass will find a home in the music of the Greencards, who seem to pull influences from both acoustic realms. This of course may have to do with the fact that half the band hails from the United Kingdom. Predictably, their Nickel Creek-esque skills are much more appreciated in Austin, Texas than London, England which explains why they earned the Austin Music Awards' "Best New Band" prize in 2004, in part thanks to the appreciation and support of Robert Earl Keen (and a steadily climbing U.S. fanbase). Their debut album Movin' On showcased the Greencards' strong talent for finesse in musicianship, but it was their sophomore long player Weather and Water that unleashed the band's ability to write memorable songs and mood-setting instrumentals. The band's third long player made history when, in 2007, Viridian reached the top spot on Billboard's Bluegrass chart, the first international band to do so. A track from the album, "Mucky the Duck," was then nominated for a Grammy Award. Shortly thereafter, the band moved to Sugarhill Records, which released Fascination in 2009.