GUILDERLAND — Lost Radio Rounders, an acoustic American roots duo of Tom Lindsay and Michael Eck, will celebrate a new release with a free concert on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church.

The church is located at 2291 Western Ave. in Guilderland and the concert starts at 7 p.m. 

Prompted by the illness and death of Lindsay’s mother, Hard Trials features 16 songs about the journey home. 

“The topic may seem serious,” Lindsay said in a release from the duo, “but every song and every performance is built on joy. There is an arc here, and Hard Trials is, ultimately, an uplifting album dedicated to an incredible woman with a welcoming and generous heart.”

Selections include Rounders-style takes on Rev. Gary Davis’ “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” the Watervliet Shaker laboring song “Fall on the Rock” and the eternal folk hymn “I Am a Pilgrim,” with Lindsay and Eck sharing lead vocal duties and, together, playing a variety of over a dozen acoustic instruments.

“We are a live act,” Eck said in the release, “but sitting down in the studio to make this disc not only brought us back to our own roots, but made us stronger as players and performers. We’re very proud of this record.”

Hard Trials is available on CD Baby; through the band’s website at www.lostradiorounders.com; and at all performances.