All proceeds from the sale of this album support our non-profit organization, Bluegrass Ambassadors and our cross-cultural collaborative and educational programs.

Qilpillama - featuring Feruza Ochilova (2:47)

Awinyo - featuring Kahiri (4:19)

Kom Van Dat Dak Af (3:23)

Sura Yako (4:00)

Heute Hier, Morgen Dort - featuring David Lubke (3:39)

Dil Dil Pakistan - featuring Fareed Haque (3:50)

Chnam Oun Dop-Pram Muy - featuring Xang Heang (5:07)

Jozin z Bazin - featuring the children of. Blue Owl Bohemia (2:36)

Away Away - featuring Feruza Ochilove, Kahiri, and Xang Heang (4:19)

This album represents to us the power music holds as a great unifier. Throughout this project we regularly had the kind of moments you only get when you share a song across cultural and linguistic boundaries. A smile popped up in the middle of worrying about mistranslation…or the whole band’s jaws collectively dropped when an instrument materialized that we had never seen before. Bands often say they pour their hearts into recording projects, but on this one, it feels much more appropriate to point out that our collaborators around the world did. Without their songs and guidance, this album simply wouldn’t have come together.

We’re calling this Volume 1 for a reason. There will be more. Please visit the “Bluegrass Ambassadors Sessions” section on our website to find the original versions of these songs, english translations and more information and stories about the places these artists are from.

Music is a window into the minds of the artists who originally wrote it, and just as importantly, the places they come from. We live for those moments.

Music that once felt foreign now feels familiar.

A country that seemed so far away, now feels closer.

PS: Thanks to everyone who has befriended, donated, supported, and given us love over the years.


Thanks to SHURE for donating their time and the use of the Performance Listening Center. SHURE’s support for this project from its inception was unparalleled. We’re proud to have used their microphones and equipment in 28 countries and counting, without fail.

And a very special thanks to the fabulous SHURE engineers who worked many hours to make this a reality.

Chris Dollar: Guitar, Vocals
Jon Goldfine: Bass, Vocals
Jake Howard: Mandolin, Vocals
Ben Wright: Banjo, Vocals

Recorded at SHURE in Niles, Illinois, except where otherwise noted.
Dean Giavaras: Manager, Performance Listening Center
Adam Beck: Senior Audio TechnicianMixed by Adam Beck at SHURE, Niles, IL

Mastered by Randy LeRoy at Tonal Park, Takoma Park, MD

Qilpillama
Traditional Uzbek
Feruza Ochilova: Vocals, Dutor, Doyra
Feruza recorded by Sanja at Mumtoz Studio, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Art: Amaliya Abdukadirova

Awinyo
By Joseph Ngundo Karhirimbyani
Copyright Ucoso
Written by Joseph Ngundu Kahrimbyani
Kahiri: Vocals
Kahiri Recorded by: Kiracho at Ewetu Studios, Kampala, Uganda
Art: Kahiri

Kom Van Dat Dak Af
By Peter Koelewijn
Copyright BMG Platinum Songs o/b/o Talpa Music
Art: Sly Masmeijer

Sura Yako
By Willis Chimano, Delvin Mudigi, Polycarp Otieno, and Bien Alusa
Copyright Downtown Dlj Songs LLC o/b/o Sheer Pub (Pty) Ltd
Art: jblykwiid

Heute Hier, Morgen Dort
By Gary Bolstad and Hannes Wader
Copyright GEMA
Published by Westpark Music & Publishing Ulrich Hetscher E.K. GEMA
David Lübke: Lead Vocal and Guitar (To be concrete: it's a Martin D-18 from 1975)
David Lübke Recorded by Niklas Fischer in Hanover, Germany
Art: “Shadow Hat” by Nikolai Vogel © 2022 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

Dil Dil Pakistan
By Nisar Nasik and Shoaib Mansoor
Copyright EMI Pakistan,
Fareed Haque: *GuiStar by Kim Leland Schwartz
Fareed Haque Recorded By Fareed Haque at The Farm, Edgerton Wisconsin
Fareed Haque uses D'Addario Strings, Henriksen Amps, Galloup Custom Electric Guitars

The art piece represents the cultural diversity of Pakistan through the excellent craftsmanship, bright colors, festivals, art, an obsession with chae, music and famous historical buildings. Artist name: H.S.A

Chnam Oun Dop Pram Muy
Written by Sinn Sisamouth
Copyright Sinn Sisamouth
Xang Heang: Lead Vocal
Xang Heang Recorded by Oeung Chhay at The Mix Of Sharing, Toul Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Art: Sombo Mok

Jozin z Bazin
By Ivan Mladek
Copyright Ivan Mladek
Vocals and Kazoo: Veronika Bezecinská, Veronika Tomášová, Simon Černý, Bartoloměj Bernt, Štěpánka Jonášová.
Recorded byTomáš Marek from Hitmakers Studio, Chutnovka, Czech Republic
Art: Markéta Brožová

Away Away
Written by Chris Dollar (Bluegrass Ambassadors Publishing, ASCAP)
Additional lyrics written and/or translated by: Bonujon, Kahiri, Xang Heang
Vocals: Feruza Ochilova, Kahiri, Xang Heang
Xang Heang Recorded by Oeung Chhay at The Mix Of Sharing, Toul Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Kahiri recorded by Joel Tugume at Nature Springs Studio, Kabale, Uganda
Feruza recorded by Sanja at Mumtoz Studio, Tashkent, Uzbekistan