Called by the Chicago Tribune "one of the finest mandolinists alive", Tony Williamson launches an original acoustic sound with his new band “Rift”. On "Push On Thru", Rift explodes with acoustic virtuosity by fusing hot mandolin and guitar riffs with the edgy rock rhythms and lyrics of Tony's son, Hardy. Rift gets a further charge from the dynamic banjo and guitar of veteran musician Don Wright and the extraordinary bass of Robbie Link.

Descended from seven generations of North Carolina musicians, Tony has performed on stage with many of the legends of acoustic music including Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, David Grisman, Vassar Clements and Tony Rice. During his career he was a member of the Bluegrass Alliance, a formative band that has been credited with starting “modern” bluegrass. He has also performed classical mandolin with the North Carolina Symphony, and even for opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti!

Hardy Williamson has been playing and writing songs as long as he can remember. He represents the next generation of music with a rich voice, innovative guitar and a depth of observation in his song writing skills that belie his youth. The songs on “Push On Thru” cover many styles: for example, track 10. Blasphemy is acoustic rock; track 5. As I Have To Be, ballad; 2.Push On Through and 8. Travlin' are Bluegrass; 3. Movin' On, alt country; and 1. Ript and 6. Shangrula are sizzling hot instrumentals.

The name “Rift” represents the generation gap that often exist between a father and son. Tony and Hardy have managed to “PUSH ON THRU” that gap by creating a new music that merges the sounds that appeal to both. Hardy finds the new rock bands like Green Day, Nickelback and Staind exciting while Tony is steeped in traditional American styles ranging from Bill Monroe and the Carter family all the way to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. On the tracks of this album, shades of these great mentors may show through, but the music is completely original in style and content.

To help with this project, Tony has called in the wonderful bassist, Robbie Link, who can be heard on many of Tony's records including “Sessions At McBane Mill” and “Across the Grain.” Robbie is known for his impeccable timing, intonation and  musicalsensibility. He is also an exciting soloist, as is evidenced by the way he takes off on Blasphemy. On banjo and guitar, the versatile Don Wright fills out the quartet, with his unique ability to add textures and excitement to any style of music.

This spring, Tony takes his love of bluegrass, folk, and jazz and supercharges it with the jamming sound of Rift at performances scheduled to include Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC on April 29; Shakori Hill Grassroots Festival in Silk Hope, NC, on April 23 and the Savannah Music Festival.