Booger Red

Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue channels the wild spirit of the rodeo on their third release from an upcoming album
Asheville, NC — Banjo virtuoso Rudy Cortese leads Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue full tilt into thier next release with “Booger Red,” a blistering, minor-key bluegrass instrumental that gallops with energy and precision. The track marks the third single from the group’s forthcoming album, continuing a string of powerful releases that highlight the group's instrumental power and his ability to tell vivid stories.
Driven by Cortese’s fiery banjo, “Booger Red” captures the raw exhilaration and danger of a bull-riding rodeo. The tune’s breakneck tempo and modal groove evoke a sense of high-stakes movement—equal parts danger and grace—while its shifting passages pull listeners through a sequence of musical turns.
Supporting Cortese on the recording are Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue co-founder Elizabeth Kronlage on tenor guitar, Tim Surrett of Balsam Range on bass and David Johnson, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, handling mandolin, fiddle, resonator guitar, and guitar. Their combined musicianship creates a powerhouse performance that delivers both technical mastery and emotional depth.
“Booger Red” isn’t just a rip-roaring display of bluegrass speed—it’s a musical portrait of the restless thrill of the rodeo ride.
“When I was young, my brother and I loved the rodeo,” Cortese recalls. “We used to watch it on TV, and there was a cantankerous bull that was difficult to ride called ‘Booger Red.’ Later, when we worked with the rodeo in high school, I actually met one of those bulls. He had a mean streak for sure. Years later I found out there were a few bulls that carried that name—each inspired by a fearless bronc rider from the 1940s who never met a horse he couldn’t ride. In honor of those tough hombres, I named this tune ‘Booger Red’—because it’s a little wild, a little ornery, and not easy to hang onto.”

Cortese’s composition embodies the heart of a performer who plays with both precision and abandon, capturing the timeless spirit of bluegrass while pushing it into new, unbridled territory.

Rudy Cortese is an award-winning banjoist, singer, songwriter, and composer whose music seamlessly fuses bluegrass, country, classical, folk, and jazz influences into a style all his own. Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue, embodies his passion for storytelling through music, featuring soaring harmonies, expressive instrumentation, all in a spirit of joy and unity. Joined by vocalist/tenor guitarist and cellist Elizabeth Kronlage and bassist Chris Carter, the trio delivers an immersive and uplifting experience, celebrating the deep ties between music and the human heart. This groups powerful performances channel deep empathy, inviting audiences into a shared journey of life’s struggles and beauty. His original compositions capture the essence of connection—between people, their experiences, and the larger world—blending intricate banjo melodies with raw emotion.