Alan Barnosky

ABOUT

Durham, NC (by way of Michigan) flatpicking guitarist and songwriter Alan Barnosky expertly crafts Americana songs that detail the life of a modern troubadour. His critically acclaimed debut Old Freight, which was noted as being “a fantastic album, full of clever guitar work, excellent vocal performances, and punchy arrangements“ put him on the map as an artist to watch. Since its release he’s been a festival and showcase regular, appearing at the 2018 IBMA Songwriter Showcase, receiving an honorable mention at the Telluride Troubadour Contest, showcasing at the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance conference, and opening for genre mainstays The Steel Wheels, Robbie Fulks, and Charley Crockett. In addition to his work as a solo artist, he has performed with bands at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and Bristol Rhythm and Roots. 2020 sees Barnosky poised to build on this momentum with the release of his sophomore work, as he returns with Lonesome Road on January 17th, an EP that spotlights instrumental prowess while remaining true to the honest songwriting, authentic delivery, and no-nonsense production for which he has become recognized.

A lifelong musician, Barnosky began playing bluegrass in his late teens as an upright bassist and only started singing and writing in his mid-twenties. “I moved from Michigan to North Carolina in 2012, and fit my most essential belongings into a 4-door car,” he recalls. “Unfortunately an upright bass would have taken up just about the entire car, so that got left behind – but I did squeeze in an old acoustic dreadnought guitar.” Then, living in a new place without a bass or bandmates to play music with, Barnosky starting flatpicking, writing, and working on his singing voice. A couple of the songs on Lonesome Road were first penned during that period. 

 An avid backpacker and cyclist in his spare time, Barnosky grants that a lot of the album was inspired by nature and his extensive time outdoors. A two-month solo bicycle tour quite literally served as the material for the title-track “Lonesome Road.” His new EP channels this experience–the life of a modern hobo making his way down the road to see what the next moment brings.