JOHN COFFELTContributor

Two hometown Manchester favorites, Becky Buller Band and Jiffy Burger, commemorated the release of the Grammy-winning artist’s newest album, “Songs that Sing Me,” with a new jalapeno-pimento cheeseburger for a limited time.

“Tracy Pennington St. John and I have been talking about creating my signature burger for at least nine years now, ever since I did a social media series on pimento cheese,” Buller said. 

“Mmmm!” Buller said. “The burger, like my first all-covers record is ‘covering’ an old favorite (a Jiffy burger) …in melted jalapeño pimento cheese and bacon.”

The Becky Buller Burger features a Jiffy Burger hamburger patty with mayo, lettuce tomato jalapeno-pimento cheese and bacon on a number one bun.

Buller explained, “We didn’t have pimento cheese in Minnesota when I was growing up.  I found out quickly that folks are passionate about their pimento cheese, both home-brewed and store bought.  Anyway, the timing just seemed right to launch the Becky Buller Burger.”

The burger is tentatively available through the end of the year (though Jiffy Burger is open to making it a permanent part of the menu if it catches on).

Buller said the album is her first album composed entirely of covers. This collection of songs features works that have inspired her since her youth in Minnesota. 

“I’ve always included one cover at least on my albums, but they’ve primarily been original material because I write so much,” Buller said.

As an appetizer, the current single “The Hazy Shade of Winter” is available on all streaming services. Buller said she has been a Simon and Garfunkel fan ever since a high school friend, Caty Wojtalewicz, introduced her to the band.

Buller said the group helped her through the awkward teenage years as a bluegrass artist in St. James, Minn., a community that had no clue what bluegrass was. 

“I was just weighted down by just how uncool I was,” she said. “Their music helped me through that tough time.” 

Buller adds a bluegrass twang to “Hazy Shade of Winter” along with other covers.

“It’s bluegrass instrumentation because that’s my wheelhouse, but there’s a little bit of everything in flavor and feel. We did a cover of Seldom Scene’s ‘Muddy Waters’ and that’s very bluesy – breezy. We’ve got Jay Starling on there singing with me.”

A Dry Branch Fire Squad version of “Auction at the Home Place” brings a “trad-grass” feel to the album with its heavy 3/4 time.

Buller said she was limited to only two James Taylor songs. “Millworker” is already out to stream.

“Wall Around Your Heart” featuring nationally recognized Jim Lauderdale is also available. 

Other guests on the album include Ricky Skaggs, Becky Isaacs Bowman from the Bowmans, Sharon White and Abby Washburn, and returning guest Romy Haley, one of the most important artists on the album, Buller said.

“Songs that Sing Me” is available now on all streaming platforms and for purchase at BeckyBuller.com. The release celebration was Sept. 5 at The Station Inn in Nashville, and in Sept. 6 in Georgia at the Red Clay Foundry. The album was performed live at the Noah Community Center fundraiser on Sept. 7 for a matinee show.