What are folks saying about Dix Bruce and Jim Nunally?

Duet, brother-style singing has always held a special place in bluegrass and early 20th century country music. A nearly stripped-down-bare approach permits numbers to be enjoyed in a unique, untarnished way. Non-brothers Dix Bruce and Jim Nunally pull it off superbly on Brothers at Heart.

Selections encompass a plethora of jewels, from the late-1800s to the repertories of Jim and Jesse, Carter and Ralph Stanley and Grandpa Jones. Nunally has set to music Wilma van Peski's World War I tribute poem, "Poppies," broadening its meaning to relate to veterans of any war, while two Bruce originals close the recordings.

The CD is mostly played on two guitars, utilizing both flatpicking and fingerstyle; Dix contributes mandolin on "Sitting on Top of The World." On this tune where one is more accustomed to hearing it performed by a five-piece bluegrass band, nothing lacking in the hands of these two fine musicians. It sustains over its four-minute, 41-second performance, with high energy.

Album selection is excellent; there is a broad but connected cross-section of numbers that work well as a collection of "brother" tunes. A discernible contemporary flatpicking flair on the majority of cuts, regardless of their roots, is no detraction. In the hands of Bruce and Nunally, "The Golden Slippers," is transformed into into a "Dueling Guitars," each reaching higher for its summit.

"The Banks of the Ohio" is rendered sans lyrics, allowing for extra attention to its gentle melody. The instrumental "Beautiful Brown Eyes" is exquisite. Spirited picking drives the Stanley Brothers' classic "Think of What You've Done." One goes back in time with the authentically delivered. "I'm Going Back to Old Virginny" and "Jimmie Brown the Newsboy." It is a treat to hear well-executed renditions employing close duo harmonies and exacting phrasing in this contemporary age of traditional music.
Sing Out Magazine

Bluegrass duet albums are rare treasures. Dix Bruce and Jim Nunally, guitarist of unsurpassed renown have completed a delightful "two vice-two guitar" album that bruises the bottom of the listener's jaw. The mood is relaxed, the musicianship confident but not showy. Paying homage to the 'Brother' styling of yesteryear, this California-based duo performs many songs that have long been treasured as well as several with less familiarity. Among the latter would be "Poppies," a song of honor and remembrance and "The Golden Slippers," the 19th century number that has been performed by many though rarely as here. In the former, renditions of "Rueben's Train" and "Dark Hollow" are always welcome. "The Banks of the Ohio," presented instrumentally, sheds the tragedy of the lyrics while highlighting the elegant melody. Many of these tracks are from the same sessions that produced Bruce and Nunally's first album From Father to Sons while others are of more recent vintage. Their voices weave through and over each other's tastefully, blending where they should while shadowing each other at other times. The playful original "Mike's Marathon" allow the musicians to breakout a bit and display that they can fire off the flashy licks as well as anyone in the business. One will be hard pressed to find more adept, clean bluegrass guitar playing than found here.
Donald Teplyske, Donald's Bluegrass Shelf

Flatpicking aficionados should find themselves thoroughly engaged by this tribute to the classic brother-duet style of acoustic country music. The material spans the traditional and newly composed and the singing is warm and inviting, but it's the guitar playing that's most intriguing. Dix Bruce and Jim Nunally are fine pickers whose approaches are very different yet complementary. Nunally is an amazingly economical player, coaxing every bit of the music out of the fingerboard position, while Bruce's approach is more diatonic and melody-driven. This combination of contrast makes Brothers at Heart a fascinating lesson in diverse ways of interpreting a song on the guitar.
Sue Thompson

Not only are they"Brothers At Heart," but Jim and Dix also qualify as "Brothers in Soul and Spirit!" as well...their many years of mutual love for the genre really shows in this exceptional project. Methinks that folks at the Country Music Hall of Fame better start thinking about adding a new line on the 'Country Duets' Hall of Honor plaque!
Ray Edlund, "Pig in a Pen," PKFA-FM, Berkeley, CA

...I'm really impressed with the music that the two of you are now making. You just seem to get better and better as time goes on. I appreciate the respect that you give to older country music and the people who created it. Yet while you demonstrate your affection for older music, and exhibit your indebtedness, you nevertheless make the music sound fresh and timeless. It is rare to find two young men, who are not brothers, achieve the blend and compatibility that is associated with the music of the Brother Duets. The good spirits and warm exchanges that characterize your stage performances are easily transmitted to your listeners. It reminds me of the sweet camaraderie that existed among the members of the Goose Island Ramblers. Dix, you learned from the masters, and it shows! And, by the way, you guys sure can play!
Excerpts from a letter from Bill C. Malone, Professor Emeritus at Tulane University, author of Country Music, U.S.A., Southern Music/American Music, Singing Cowboys and Musician Mountaineers, Don't Get Above Your Raisin', and more; and host of "Back to the Country," WORT-FM (89.9), Madison, WI

Brother duets are one of the purest forms of music; two voices, two instruments and many of the top bluegrass acts have featured this format: the Monroe Brothers, Reno and Smiley and Jim and Jesse are just a few. Dix Bruce and Jim Nunnally have very busy careers with other bands and projects but when they get together their voices and guitars naturally blend. Many of the classic songs included here are jam session standards, and listeners will appreciate the duo's version of "Dark Hollow," "Eight More Miles to Louisville," "I'm Sitting On Top of the World" and "Jimmie Brown the Newsboy." Since Flatpicking Guitar Magazine produced this album, it's no surprise that twin guitars are featured on many of the cuts. Jim and Dix's intricate arrangements show the scope of the guitar sound with melodic licks punctuated with powerful strums and rhythm. Guitarists interested in hearing and learning vocal accompaniment styles will find this album very useful. Two instrumentals on the album show the robust sound of two guitars. "Banks of the Ohio" is very melodic while "Golden Slippers" has more of an upbeat, dance tune feel. An album highlight is Jim's song using Wilma van Peski's poem, "Poppies." The tribute to fallen soldiers was written after World War I, but it has a message that rings true in today's times. Definitely a classic album in the making and one that will be a welcome one in your collection..
Brenda Hough, Northern California Bluegrass Association

They sound like the Everly Brothers with a lot more nitty gritty.
Flatpicking Guitar Magazine

West Coast virtuosos.
Acoustic Guitar Magazine