Here's what people are saying about the Trio's new self-titled album:
“Great storytelling that delivers important messages straight to the heart, combined with instrumental virtuosity and tasteful musicianship has been the Hard Road Trio’s calling card for many years now. With the release of the Trio’s new eponymous CD, these Southwest musicians raise the level of their own game more than several notches. Chris Sanders’ composition “Mama Spin Me Round” paints pictures as vivid as Robert Frank’s photographs or John Stenbeck’s novels. This is the best music that I’ve heard for a long time and I invite you to join me on this trip of musical discovery. You won’t regret it for a moment.” Bill Evans, Alto, New Mexico, November 2019.
“This album is full of lovely new music from the hearts of New Mexico and the Hard Road Trio, featuring their incredible musicianship, singing and songwriting and that of some interstellar guests, including B^3’s Nate Lee! You must give it a listen!” - Becky Buller, The Becky Buller Band
This band has found its sound. Dancing between bluegrass, Americana and just plain good, The Hard Road Trio has arrived. Timely new songs, the stunning musicianship we’ve come to respect from mandolin great Steve Smith, the Trio’s self-titled record is a must listen. – David Brower, Executive Director of PineCone (Piedmont Council of Traditional Music)
The Hard Road Trio features...
...three distinctive voices blending into an original sound that leads with an undeniable groove and finishes with enchanting harmonies. Based in New Mexico, the Trio has toured the US for over eleven years, appearing at venues like Berkeley's Freight and Salvage and Swallow Hill in Denver, and festivals including High Mountain Hay Fever and Rice Festival. Their music has won New Mexico Music Awards and has been played on radio stations across the country including Sirius Radio. Along with teaching at notable music camps such as Camp Bluegrass, the Trio presents their own Desert Night Acoustic Music Camps including the Southwest Mandolin Camp. (Photo by Dawn Kish) Meet the members of the Hard Road Trio:
Anne Luna
Bass and vocals
An outstanding graduate of the Commercial Music Program at South Plains College, Anne has been involved in the acoustic music scene since childhood. Having studied classical bass at Texas Tech, she's gained a unique reputation as both an elegant and a hard-driving bass player One of the founders of DNA Camps, Anne has taught on the faculty at Camp Bluegrass, Hill Country Acoustic Camp, and Walker Creek Music Camp. Her fresh originals are stand-outs on Trio recordings and she's recorded with the likes of Joe Baxter, Alan Munde and Kenny Maines. She maintains a studio teaching a variety of instruments as well as offering Skype lessons.
Steve Smith
Mandolin, vocals, octave mando
Steve Smith is well-known for his mastery of the mandolin and has toured and performed most of his life. From the bluegrass festival stage to the symphony hall, Steve is a true virtuoso. Co-founder of DNA Music Camps, he's been on faculty at premier camps including Camp Bluegrass, Colorado Roots Camp, and Kaufman Kamp. Having toured with the likes of Jim Hurst and Alan Munde and appeared at major festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the Walnut Valley Festival, these days Steve is on the road with The Trio and also the Tim May & Steve Smith Duo. Steve is in demand as a teacher and recording engineer at his studio in Las Cruces, NM (The Cave).
Chris Sanders
Guitar and vocals
Creating music has been a passion of Chris's since she crawled up on a piano bench and began picking out tunes as a toddler. Her tunes can be heard on six Hard Road Band and Trio albums, and her solo project Rare Bird. A New Mexico Music Award winner, she co-wrote a fully staged musical, We Are Enron, with Bradford Hodgson and Justin Raines that was produced by Mark Medoff. From her first big gig at Carnegie Hall with the Concordia Choir to delivering Eastern Onion Singing Telegrams, and for the past 16 years touring as an acoustic musician, Chris brings her life-long dedication to music to every performance and to her pet project, Desert Night Acoustic Music Camps. (Photo by Dawn Kish)