WATCH: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley with Molly Tuttle, “John Deere Tractor” (A Tribute to the Judds)

Artist: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee; Jonesborough, Tennessee; Palo Alto, California
Song: “John Deere Tractor”
Album: A Tribute To The Judds
Release Date: October 27, 2023

In Their Words: “It is an incredible honor to be included in this amazing tribute to The Judds. I grew up listening to these songs. I’ve always been a huge fan of The Judds and of that sound that they created with their producer Brent Maher. And ‘John Deere Tractor’ is one of my all-time favorite songs, so when we were asked to perform this song with the great Molly Tuttle, we of course jumped at the opportunity. I’m so proud to be a part of this album, and I’m so excited for everyone to hear it. Thank you to The Judds for creating such wonderful music that we’ll all be listening to forever.” – Trey Hensley

“I remember hearing The Judds on the radio for the first time — it blew my mind! It was a musical oasis on the radio, that’s for sure. As a kid growing up playing bluegrass, I loved their sound with the ACOUSTIC guitars(!), and the Dobros that were front and center in the mix (great production by Brent Maher!), and of course, their harmonies and song choices were impeccable. And Wynonna, what a voice! So strong, an amazing tone… ‘John Deere Tractor’ was a big song for me because my bluegrass hero, Larry Sparks, did a great version of it. I was really impressed when I saw that The Judds recorded it and loved their version also. It was such a thrill to record this awesome song, and I love the vocal performances by Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle on this track. They hit it out of the park.” – Rob Ickes


Photo Credit: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley by Jeff Fasano; Molly Tuttle by Bobbi Rich.

Photos: Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, and More Perform at Earl Scruggs Music Festival

Banjo hero Earl Scruggs received a rousing tribute near his North Carolina hometown over Labor Day weekend, bringing together bluegrass stars like Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and many others. The inaugural event took place Sept. 4 to 6 in Tryon, about 30 miles from the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby. Scruggs, who died in 2012, was raised in the small Flint Hill community nearby, and remains one of the most pivotal figures in bluegrass.

Enjoy photos from the inaugural Earl Scruggs Music Festival below. (Photos by Eli Johnson unless otherwise noted.)

Darin & Brooke Aldridge


Alison Brown


Becky Buller


Chatham County Line


The Earls of Leicester


Fireside Collective
Photo by Tori Marion


Béla Fleck with Mark Schatz


Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon


Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway


Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Photo by Ron Pankey


Rissi Palmer


Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
Photo by Ron Pankey


Jon Stickley


Town Mountain


Unspoken Tradition


Fireside Collective hosts a collaborative performance of the 1972 album Earl Scruggs Revue: Live at Kansas State played in its entirety, sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation
Photo by Toni Marion