Robert Ellis and Courtney Hartman have teamed up for Dear John (Dec 8th), an album of ten John Hartford songs, paying tribute to the songwriter known for his solo performances where he would alternate between guitar, banjo, and fiddle while he tap danced and clogged on an amplified piece of plywood, John Hartford is credited as one of the founders and pioneers of newgrass, a non-traditional approach to bluegrass music, as well as known for his mastery of traditional folk music inspired by his affection of for the culture of the Mississippi River and its steamships.

Below is their cover of his best-known song ‘Gentle on My Mind’ – later recorded by Glen Campbell – for which Hartford earned two GRAMMY awards for Best Folk Performance and Best Country & Western Song. Versions of the song were also recorded by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, Lucinda Williams, and most recently Alison Krauss.

The album was made possible in association with Refuge Foundation for the Arts.