SHELBY C. BERRY
KEEPING THE ASS
SORTIN’ T
Imagine this—Lonesome Willie Jones and Bobby Batyko playing their first note together on The Beatles’ “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” Who knew that a shared love for The Beatles at an informal jam on State Street in Madison, Wisconsin during the Busking for Books music festival more than ten years ago would lead to one of today’s riskiest, most vibrant bluegrass bands? “I learned to pick out harmonies from Beatles songs as a kid,” said Lonesome Willie, who formed the band Sortin’’ the Mail with pal Bobby Batyko at his side. The music of Willie’s other band, the Oak Street Ramblers, simply didn’t fit the spicy 42
spirit of Sortin’ the Mail. “I had some racier songs, and the Ramblers were a little more family-oriented,” said Lonesome Willie, who gets to show off his killer mandolin chops and songwriting skills as the bandleader of Sortin’ the Mail.
Over the years, the band has evolved, but today’s lineup is just as impeccable. Bass player (and sometimes banjo player) Brad Astor joined Lonesome Willie and often surprises the crowd when he branches off into a funky banjo or bass jam. Newest members are Matt Amati on banjo and Mason Aumanstal on guitar are, and current fiddle-player Rin Ribble recently stepped down
after having her first child.
Now a staple in Midwest music, Sortin’ the Mail is a two-time winner of the Country & Bluegrass Performer of the Year at the Madison Area Music Awards. Enjoy this in-depth The Bluegrass Standard interview with Sortin’ the Mail banjo player, Matt Amati. The Bluegrass Standard: How did you join Sortin’ the Mail? Matt: I’ve been playing the banjo for about 20 years. I started as a teenager. The band was doing tryouts for a banjo player, and I didn’t get it! I went home and
