Flatpicking Fireworks: Bryan Sutton and Jake Stargel Trade Fire on the Classic “Crazy Creek”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
After the high-octane, multimedia whirlwind of his 2025 collaboration with Billy Strings, Bryan Sutton is returning to the pure, unadulterated essence of the acoustic guitar. The latest entry in his acclaimed From Roots to Branches series finds the ten-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year stepping away from the “extravaganza” to engage in a masterclass of a duet.
This time, the spotlight shines on the “branches” of the flatpicking family tree. Sutton has teamed up with Jake Stargel—a musician’s musician and a flatpicking connoisseur’s dream—to breathe new life into the 1950s square dance staple, “Crazy Creek.”
The Track: A Masterful “Musical Conversation”
Originally penned by the legendary Nashville session fiddler Tommy Jackson, “Crazy Creek” has long been a litmus test for bluegrass royalty. It was popularized by Hall of Fame banjoist Bill Keith in 1976, famously featuring a blistering solo by the late Tony Rice.
In this new rendition, Sutton and Stargel don’t just cover the tune; they dissect and reimagine it. The sparks fly almost immediately. The duo swaps entire passes through the form before transitioning into lightning-fast traded lines. Listeners should prepare for:
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Spiky Melodic Turns: Sharp, unexpected intervals that keep the ear on its toes.
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Rhythmic Displacements: Playful shifts in timing that showcase their elite-level syncopation.
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Chordal Elaborations: Sophisticated textures that go far beyond standard bluegrass “boom-chick” rhythm.
“Part of my goal with this duets project was to just try to capture musical conversations with my friends, and we definitely do that here with ‘Crazy Creek’!” — Bryan Sutton
The Partnership: The Master and the “Next Big Thing”
The pairing is a natural evolution of Sutton’s From Roots to Branches concept. While the first iteration of this project (2006’s Not Too Far From the Tree) focused on Sutton playing with his heroes, this series captures him playing with the younger generation that continues to inspire him.
Jake Stargel is the perfect foil for Sutton. In 2014, at just 23, Stargel was awarded the IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year and was already being hailed in the press as “the next Bryan Sutton.”
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A Proven Pedigree: Stargel has logged miles with Larkin Poe (then the Lovell Sisters), Sierra Hull, and The Greencards.
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Studio Savant: Recently, he has focused on producing and session work for diverse acts like Rhonda Vincent, John Mailander, and The Wooks.
About Bryan Sutton: The Gold Standard of the Acoustic Guitar
Bryan Sutton is, quite simply, in a league of his own. A native of Western North Carolina, Sutton moved to Nashville in 1995 and immediately became a pivotal figure in Ricky Skaggs’ return to bluegrass.
Since then, his career has followed a dual path of incredible success:
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The Session Ace: He has provided the “perfect touch” for mainstream icons including Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Combs.
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The Bluegrass Icon: He holds a record-breaking 10 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year trophies, more than any other player in the organization’s history.
Whether he is teaching thousands of students online or touring the world with Billy Strings (as seen in their 2025 Live at the American Legion project), Sutton remains the bridge between the genre’s storied past and its technical, genre-defying future.
Why It Matters
“Crazy Creek” isn’t just a showcase of speed; it’s a showcase of listening. It captures two elite artists at the top of their game, reacting to one another in real-time. It’s a testament to the health of the “branches” of the bluegrass tree—and a reminder that in the hands of Sutton and Stargel, the tradition is not just safe; it’s evolving.