Listen now: Brandon Ratcliff may be a bluegrass baby, but he's created a sound outside the family tradition

m_brandonratcliffrulesofbreakingupboxed040919

Monument/Columbia NashvilleNot every new artist can say they grew up with a mom who has multiple Grammys, but for newcomer Brandon Ratcliff, that’s exactly the case.

The Louisiana native’s mother is Suzanne Cox of the legendary bluegrass band The Cox Family. They won their first Grammy in 1994 for their gospel album, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, and followed it up seven years later with another for their contribution to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

The music Brandon makes, however, doesn’t happen to fall into his family’s tradition. Instead, it gravitates toward bluesy, guitar-driven, contemporary grooves. You can check out Brandon’s sound via his debut single, “Rules of Breaking Up,” which is available to stream or download now.

On Thursday, he kicks off the Miss Me More Tour with Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young in Salisbury, Maryland.

Meanwhile, Brandon’s mom is still making music. You’ll often spot her singing backup for the family’s close friend and producer, Alison Krauss. The most recent Cox Family album is 2015’s Gone Like the Cotton.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.