What a thrilling night for us! Adam and The Boxcars took home several awards at 2011 IBMA awards show including Instrumental Recording of the Year (the debut album features his Northfield F5 #37 on the entire record, the track they won the award for is Jumping the Track, featured in our audio player below) and Emerging Artist of the Year for the band, and Mandolin Player of the Year for Adam. We've had a lot of time together at this show and have spent it going through our newest batch of mandolins. It's been very exciting. Adam picked up a brand new Northfield to play during the award show and on some sessions he has here during the show. We couldn't be more honored. Congrats to Adam and all the guys in the band! We're so happy for you.
Adam Steffey receives 2011 IBMA Mandolin player of the year award. So nice to see such a great player and great guy get recognized.
The Boxcars play live at the 2011 IBMA awards. Adam plays a brand new Northfield F5 for the show.

Northfield Mandolin Test Drive with Adam Steffey: Here's Adam checking out a few Northfield F5's in Nashville, TN. He's starting to settle in on #37 and takes it through a variety of different styles. You can really hear the range of the mandolin's voice at various volumes and through the different varieties of melody and rhythm Adam is playing. We're honing in on the right axe for this legendary player.

Northfield Mandolins with Adam Steffey "My Fave": #37 is clearly the right one for Adam's playing style. We record this track with a different mic, mixed completely dry so it's not catching all the room noise, to compare. The tone is still there, and Adam has to take this one on the road! .... Fast forward nearly two years and Adam has still got #37 on the road and has played his mandolin on hundreds of performances. He even recorded the entire new album with The Boxcars using his Northfield F5. We're very honored. Check out the 2 tracks in the Audio player we've sampled to hear the same mandolin in a studio setting.

A Northfield Perfect Trio: Here's a clip of great picking session that broke out in the middle of a meeting down in TN. That's three Northfield's laying it down on "Salt Creek". Players include: Dan Boner (far left, playing #29), Colby Laney (playing #37-Adam's mandolin), Adam Steffey playing a "Big Mon" F5 with Adirondack top).

Northfield & Martino Coppo: Here's a video of my friend Martino Coppo playing a "Big Mon" F-5. Martino is an exceptional player; one our very favorites, with a right hand that pulls tone from the instrument with every stroke of the pick. We're lucky to know him and get his feedback about our instruments. To listen to more of his wonderful music, check out Martino's bluegrass band Red Wine www.redwinemusic.net.

Northfield & Martino Coppo "II": Here's another video with Martino playing the "Big Mon" F5 playing a few standards. Oh...that waltz Martino! Just about the best version of this time tested standard we've ever heard. Bravo! To listen to more of his wonderful music, check out Martino's bluegrass band Red Wine www.redwinemusic.net.

Northfield IBMA Booth Jam: Here's a great picking session that happened at our booth at the IBMA. It features members of Rockin Acoustic Circus and Red Wine. It's fun pickin' with your friends! Nothing better than picking with your friends.

Northfield Mandolin: Pretty Polly - The Boxcars live video

Northfield Mandolin: The Boxcars - "Blue Fiddler"- Tawas, Michigan Concert

Nick Keen (The Josh Williams Band): Here's Nick Keen playing a Northfield F on the main stage at the IBMA fan fest. This is a barn burner: BlackJack. Tone, Taste & Timing, the 3-T’s of music, became Nick Keen’s mantra as he studied his way into the exhilarating player which now has every head turning. Identified as the 2010 Merlefest Mandolin Champion, his own unique and tasteful style reflects the various genre of music that influenced him. Yet, his fresh, young perspective remains “clean as Irish Spring Soap.” Nick’s melodic perfection and solid performances transcend his music to another realm, bringing the fans along with it. He was awarded 2010 IBMA Emerging Artist with the Josh Williams Band. Nick Keen (The Josh Williams Band)

Nick Keen (The Josh Williams Band) "Blackjack" @ Station Inn - Nashville, TN

Nick Keen (The Josh Williams Band) Station Inn - Nashville, TN

Emory Lester I: "During a recent visit I had the chance to check out four different Northfield instruments, all recently completed…..all were extremely ‘player friendly’, and were consistent in beautifully accurate workmanship and great tone. The ‘Big Mon’ model is a wonderful ‘alteration’ to the traditional F design with a slightly enlarged body, that retains the delicate balance of the traditional design and beauty of the instrument. I truly believe that Adrian and his Northfield team are revolutionizing the process of constructing a great mandolin, and the Northfield line is set to be a major player in the mandolin world for a long time to come."

Emory Lester II
 

Emory Lester III