The Hammer & The Hatchet

The Hammer & The Hatchet (John Bowyer & Jayme Hood) refined their musical artistry in the fabled hills of southern Indiana. They honed their skills and craft in the honest old-school tradition of putting in time and collaborating with some of the most significant performers in their scene.

Their hard work has been paying off. With hundreds of live performances in the last 9 years, these road seasoned troubadours are swiftly traveling beyond their deep Bluegrass/Folk/Americana roots, both musically and geographically, and into fresh territory where they have been defined as both “Authentic and honest” yet artistically “innovative and delightfully original”.

Their long-awaited fourth album “Shake Off The Cold” released in 2022 - brings their listeners all star collaborations throughout with only one track recorded as the original duo. Twelve guest players can be found on this recording including Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band’s Breezy Peyton on washboard and Sad Max Senteney on clawhammer banjo. Joe’s Truck Stop’s Joe Macharet adds fiddle on a few tracks, Garth Brooks band leader, Dave Gant makes an appearance on both viola and piano. You will hear The Henhouse Prowler’s Chris Dollar on smoking hot lead guitar. Eilen Jewell’s Jerry Miller plays haunting pedal steel. New Old Cavalry’s Justin Hughey on banjo, Eric Bolander Music’s Seth Murphy on cello, Growler’s Pat Otto and Flatland Harmony Experiment’s Scott Nelson play bass. Rhythm was added by former Cage the Elephant percussionist Andy Grooms and Dane Clark Band’s Steve Fulton. In an unusual twist, two songs in this collection were not penned by John and Jayme themselves. Angel Fire was written by country music legends Billy Don Burns and Hank Cochran. Local songwriter Rick Nagy contributed to Whispering Pines.

With masterful musicianship and endlessly appealing vocals, these genuinely adept co-writers never cease to deliver a deep well of originally introspective and heartfelt songs, of both comedy and tragedy, that consistently brings music lovers of all ages and sensitivities to their growing audiences. Catch a show. You’ll be glad you did.