Singer/Songwriter Laurelyn Dossett On Crafting Original Works

In the hills and hollows of the Blue Ridge, good and evil are in constant struggle. Demons lurk in the dark forests and the early pioneers are under constant threat. So begins the liner notes for Brother Wolf, the play by Triad Stage Artistic Director Preston Lane. It's filled with epic storytelling, and outstanding original music composed by acclaimed singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett. Laurelyn says that when Preston first approached her in search of that authentic sounding score for Brother Wolf she said she knew right away it had to sound like Riley Baugus.

Riley is a musician's musician, and he's highly sought after for bringing out the best of old time American banjo and song. In fact Billboard Magazine said Riley's vocals, “…sound like they've been echoing through the Appalachian Mountains for about 150 years."

Laurelyn's song from Brother Wolf, “Anna Lee,” is featured on the 2011 Grammy-winning Levon Helm CD “Ramble at the Ryman.” Riley was a contributor to the Grammy award winning Album Of The Year, "Raising Sand" by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, and his banjo playing was featured on Willie Nelson's Grammy nominated recording "Country Music".