Straight Drive has the best feel for roots of bluegrass traditions of any young band I've heard in recent years. And they still manage to sound fresh and new! I can't wait to see them live.
— Fred Bartenstein,
"Banks of the Ohio: Music From the Homeplace of Bluegrass", WAMU, HD-3, 88.5 FM
Straight Drive is an excellent bluegrass band. Jen Larson is not only a great singer, she is a fine songwriter. Terry is one of the best hard driving banjo players around.
They play the type of bluegrass I love, WITH HEART AND SOUL!
— Danny Paisley
Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass
Straight Drive is a thoroughly professional bluegrass band, committed to the highest
standards of the traditional sound. These are seasoned musicians with a most
satisfying show. And what's more, they're nice folks!
— Ben Freed
President of the Westchester Bluegrass Club
Straight Drive consistently demonstrates a high level of musicianship, artistry, and
flexibility, performing engaging concerts for general audiences and interactive
workshops. Under the excellent direction of Terry McGill, their performances reveal
thoughtful preparation of repertoire tailored to each individual venue.
— Jennie A. Wasserman
Manager, Neighborhood Concert Series, Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall
Straight Drive is awesome!... Jen Larson's inspiring vocals, combined with Terry McGill's mastery and the band's creative solos and solid backup weave a musical fabric that compliments the story and theme of every song they perform...if you're looking for a special treat, ask Terry and Jen to sing harmony duets from the old-time country or classic bluegrass traditions- they are all great folks to work with!
— David M. Kleiman
Program Chair, Folk Music Society of New York. 2007
Reviews of "I'll Take A Page From Your Book", Cabinwood Music, 2005, cw#0205
Shows a fine sense of tradition. At the core of this cd's success is vocalist Jen Larson. She calls on a beautiful blue, throaty quality-at ease shifts to an almost fragile lilt-shows impeccable vocal control.
— Bluegrass Unlimited- February 2006
Playing traditional bluegrass the way it was meant to be played, Straight Drive comes hurtling at you like a steam-powered locomotive. From the hard-driving banjo to the high lonesome vocals to the hair-raising fiddle, these folks know what makes for good bluegrass. But don't let them fool you' mixed in among the classic hits, they've written some real nice songs and tunes of their own, as well. We should all hope that I'll Take a Page From Your Book is just the first in a long line of many Straight Drive recordings.
— Matt Winters
"The Moonshine Show" WKCRfm New York, NY
Great Group-Great CD!
— Gracie Muldoon-"Muldoon in the Afternoon" OCRN Bluegrass Radio Cincinnati, Ohio
I Love it! Absolutely Pine Floor Fine!
— Howard Bonner -Host of "The Catalogue Parlour" CFRCfm Kingston Ontario, Canada
Straight Drive, with Terry McGill's flawless, banjo and Jen Larson's exciting, inspired vocals, is among the best new bands on the circuit today. Joe Wills, Host Burlington County Bluegrass Z88-9 (WBZC) 88.9 & 95.1 FM www.Z889.com Burlington, NJ
Reviews of "Straight Drive", Cabinwood Music, 2001, #0101
"Let me be the first to say this one has it instrumentally and vocally. You will not be disappointed."
—Don Larkin, Country Music promoter, MC, and host of "The Hometown Frolic" WAAT Newark, NJ 1951-1961 Read about Don Larkin
"Although you and I have never met, I have heard you play live. STRAIGHT DRIVE is an absolute gem! As a banjo picker myself, your playing is creative and perfect. This is a fine project and, in my opinion, as good or better than much of what "name" artists release on major labels. STRAIGHT DRIVE should go straight to the shelf marked "Album of the Year Candidates". Since you've released this project, there shouldn't be any doubt that you are one of the best banjo players out there today."
— Joe Wills WBZC 88.9 & 95.1 FM Burlington County Bluegrass
