In 1983, Tompkins moved to Texas and earned a master of business administration and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He devoted the next two decades to business, but Tompkins’ love of bluegrass led him to want to perform again. And that’s the origin of this album, which features the talents of Sam Bush, Ron Stewart, Randy Kohrs, Kenny Smith, Amanda Smith, Mike Bub and Greg Cahill among others.

Tompkins, founder and president of the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and host of a bluegrass radio show in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, plays upright bass on seven cuts, banjo on one (“Lonesome Road Blues”) and sings lead on nine.

He co-wrote two songs, “Blue Kentucky Waltz” and “No Part of Nothin’ Blues.”

Songs include “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” a song credited to Bill Monroe and Hank Williams; Chubby Wise and Clyde Moody’s “Shenandoah Waltz”; Albert Brumley’s “This World Is Not My Home”; and four traditional numbers, “Angelina Baker,” “More Pretty Girls Than One,” “Lonesome Road Blues” and “Farther Along.”

Tompkins also adapts Mark Knopfler’s “When It Comes To You” and Jeanne Pruett’s “Count Me Out” to bluegrass.

Can’t find it in stores? Try http://www.AlanTompkins.com.