Sunday is always a special day in Grayton Beach, Fla., because you can bank on the fact that Dread Clampitt will be rocking the Red Bar not once, but twice -noon to 3, then 7 to 10. And when I say rocking, I mean the bar literally shakes with the excitement of the music and the crowds.

It happens for good reason; Dread Clampitt is one heck of an exciting band, and their new album “Learnin’ to Live” proves that point in many ways. The band is made up of Balder Saunders on mandolin, Kyle Ogle on guitar, Kenny Oliverio on bass, and John Reinlie on drums, with occasional appearances by their mentor and honorary member, Duke Bardwell, whose pedigree includes playing bass with Elvis Presley for two years.

Dread Clampitt has been around playing bars and small halls in the southeast for quite a few years now, and have built a solid fanbase through their shows and their three previous albums, each of which have shown a progression in their development and songwriting capabilities.

“Learnin’ to Live” continues that progression to an exponential degree, with some of the finest songwriting and playing the band has offered in its storied history.

The album opens with a solid barn-burner called “Livin’ Out Of Leavin’,” which tells the story of a girl who is not so faithful. That leads into their new fan-favorite, “Redneck Coozie,” a delightful tale about a brown paper bag. The album is full of newgrass, bluegrass, and even has a touch of New Orleans in Bardwell’s classic “Bayou Country,” which has been recorded previously by Delicious Blues Stew and The Underdogs. Add to this the fact that 2009 Instrumentalist of the Year Sam Bush appears on most of the album and you’ve got one of the best albums of the year.

Hear Wildman Steve’s Internet radio station, Internet radio for music lovers 24/7, at www.wildmansteve.com.