The Gazette has finished studio recording for the new CD. The CD will include a lot of original material - four by Elliott, two by Bill, and two new instrumentals by Alan - plus previously unrecorded songs by friends Mary Gibbons and Gene Mills. We'll keep you posted as we put the finishing touches on the project!

We are pleased to announce the addition of 2 new members to the Gazette: Steve Smith and Nate Lee have joined Alan Munde, Phill Elliott, and Bill Honker in the band. Yes, we´re now a 5-piece band, and no longer an all-Texas band, as Steve lives in Las Cruces, NM Steve Smith needs no introduction to many bluegrass fans. He is widely known as a musician, composer, performer, and teacher. From his work with Cloud Valley and the Nothin´ Doin´ band to his stage and session work with many top bluegrass and acoustic music performers (Robin and Linda Williams, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines, Stephen Bennett, Bill Evans, Charlie Provenza, Nosostros, Eliza Gilkyson, Anna Egge, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Tony Trischka, Eddie and Martha Adcock, the list goes on…), Steve has performed professionally for over 25 years and has toured in 47 states, 8 European countries, Cuba, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Steve will continue to lead his old-time, retro-bluegrass, modern acoustic band Steve Smith and Hard Road and will also brings his many talents as mandolinist, singer, and composer to the Gazette. Nineteen-year-old Nate Lee brings a youthful energy to the "old souls" of the band. Like Steve, Nate was born in Virginia, but moved to Texas when he was four years old. Growing up in a musical family in Ovilla, Texas (Nate´s father is banjo maker Chuck Lee), Nate started playing fiddle at the age of ten. He took lessons from Valerie O´Brien and gained valuable experience in Texas Old-Time Contest fiddling. Nate is currently a student at South Plains College, in Levelland, Texas, where Alan teaches. He cites his influences as Terry Morris, Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor, Sam Bush, Byron Berline, and Casey Driessen. Nate plays fiddle and sings harmony vocals with the Gazette. The new group made its stage debut at Camp Bluegrass last month, and we´re well underway with a new CD.

Congrats to AMG bass player Bill Honker for another songwriting award. Bill's song "Above the Waterline", which he wrote about Hurricane Katrina floodwaters in Louisiana, won first place in the Americana/Folk/Bluegrass category of the Dallas Songwriters Association 2006 Song Contest. Bill's songs "Home Again" (which is on the current AMG CD) and "This Old Town is a Mining Town" (which the band is considering for inclusion on the upcoming CD) received the same honor in 1999 and 2004, respectively.

As you can see, the website has been totally revamped. Thanks to Tamalita and Enchanted Graphics for the great work!