"Abbie Gardner gives the grit to Red Molly with her Dobro playing. On her new solo CD we get to hear not only her instrumental and songwriting prowess, but her marvelously versatile voice, which can convey pain or playfulness or pure bad girl blues power." - John Platt, WFUV

Coming five years and three Red Molly albums after her last solo CD, Hope is Abbie Gardner's latest solo recording- set to be released on April 1, 2011. The CD features her versatile voice backed by 3 types of slide guitar (dobro, lap steel, and National bottleneck) and a band comprised of not only her father, Herb Gardner (piano), but also her sister, Sarah Gardner, on organ. Ben Wittman (the drummer on Red Molly's James) locks in with upright bassist Craig Akin, who is featured on the first instrumental Abbie has ever recorded (a bass and dobro duet). The songs range from heartache to hope, from gritty lap steel to singing cellos, courtesy of Emily Hope Price. Folk sweetheart Robby Hecht lends his voice to three tracks and fellow member of Red Molly, Laurie MacAllister, is heard throughout. Longtime friends and collaborators Fred Gillen, Jr. and Beaucoup Blue also lend their voices.

"I feel like the songs revolve around Hope, both the song and the idea. Rather than having all hopeful songs, this CD reflects the glimmer of hope we all look for when in the midst of darkness." - Abbie Gardner

March 13th 2014

Well, 16 years ago I made a deal with myself. I thought maybe I’d pick up the guitar, but I wasn’t sure I’d be good at it or really like it all that much. So I instead of buying one, I borrowed my Dad’s classical guitar. I got a great teacher (Ksenia Mack) and promised myself I would practice for 100 hours before deciding one way or another. At the end of the 100 hours, however many days or months or years that took, I would either buy myself a guitar or let myself give up, knowing I’d given it a good try. I started with 5 minutes at a time because my fingers hurt! After about 3 months I completed my 100 hours and bought that guitar. I was hooked.

Fast forward to now… I’m one of Passim’s Iguana Fund winners! My award funds are going towards a new Dobro. I’ve been playing essentially a student model for 6 years. I absolutely LOVE the instrument and want to get deeper into that world. I’m grateful to Passim for helping me towards my new goal of a professional Dobro! But I also want to feel that satisfaction of daily work towards it. So I’m starting over. Tomorrow I will start counting the hours I practice Dobro, with the goal of 100 hours. I’m on the road all the time, so it may take me a whole lot longer this time around, but I don’t care. I’m going to enjoy the view on my way there. Here we go!! 

ps- anybody wanna join me? or have some inspirational tips to keep my butt glued to the chair?

Abbie

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