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MANSFIELD -Bluegrass musician Taylor Armerding has been a notable talent for more than 30 years as a singer, mandolinist and founding member of the band Northern Lights.

Armerding broke in his son Jake as the band's fiddler before Jake graduated from high school. That gift of music led to an independent career that has placed the young Armerding among the fastest-rising talents in the industry. So when he wanted to give his father a gift, Jake decided to present his dad with the one thing he didn't have - studio time to produce his first solo CD after three decades of touring and recording with various bands.

"My dad's done so much music, and to my mind he does it in a way no one else does," said Jake. "I wanted to see those songs preserved just that way."

Over the years, Taylor's progressive bluegrass tunes have been covered by Nashville greats. And classic songs like "Northern Rail" have earned him a place in the hearts of fans and fellow songwriters alike.

Now Taylor is preparing to release the album that resulted from his son's gift. It's titled "Heading That Way" and will come out June 1, the same day Jake's new CD of love songs, titled "Her," is released. Both father and son will be performing Saturday night, May 16, at the Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Mansfield. Taylor says he was excited to commit to a solo album, especially after Jake arranged for some distinguished sidemen to take part in the project - Zack Hickman on bass, Mark Erelli on guitar and vocals, Lincoln Meyers on guitar, Greg Liszt on banjo and his youngest son, Jesse, on drums.

"It was interesting getting to know some of these people a little better after listening to them for so long," Taylor said.

The record, which Taylor has titled "Heading That Way," features tried-and-true compositions from his live and recording career, including some new takes on some old favorites.

"We're not plowing any new ground here," he said.

Jake Armerding's new record, however, is a newly-minted paean to love - something that may or may not have to do with the fact that he recently got married. The record features some solid songwriting and the trademark harmonies that are essential to any Armerding CD.

Backing up both men will be a crack band including Hickman on bass, Kevin Barry on lap steel and guitars, Charlie Rose on banjo and Bill Henry on acoustic guitar.

If you go...

WHAT: Concert by Taylor and Jake Armerding and their band; finale of the Performing Songwriters Competition.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Doors open at 7.

WHERE: Rose Garden Coffeehouse, Orthodox Congregational Church, 17 West St., Mansfield. ADMISSION: $18 at the door, $16 in advance.

MORE INFO: 508-699-8122 or rosegardenfolk.com.