Greg McGrath

Billy Droze – It Gets Better With Time

24 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the new single Better With Time, the follow-up to Billy Droze’s #1 debut single Kentucky Blue. Co-written with Ronnie Bowman and James Evan Parker Better With Time is an inspirational song.

I feel like Better With Time dropped right out of the sky, like it was destined to be included on this upcoming album. I initially felt this song to be my own life experience, that faith in God and perseverance will get you through all things. With the help of two close friends, veteran songwriters Jim Parker and Ronnie Bowman, the song was sculpted into, what I believe will be very impactful and enlightening to the listener. In other words, I think it will help many to understand It All Gets Better with Time – Billy Droze.

Produced by Billy Droze and Ronnie Bowman, Better With Time features Droze‘s soulful vocals with the help of his friend Bowman and wife Marja Droze on harmony vocals with Michael Stockton on Dobro), Jason Roller on guitar, Matthew Davis on banjo, David Freeman on mandolin and Mitchell Brown bass.

Billy Droze has become one of today’s top emerging artists in the Bluegrass community. Droze’s first single Kentucky Blue raced up the Bluegrass charts reaching #1 in back-to-back weeks on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart and reached #3 on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction – Top Tracks Monthly chart.

In addition to Droze’s hit chart action he has acquired the title of “hit songwriter” over the years co-writing such songs as; I Know Better (#1 on Bluegrass Today Weekly Chart) – The Grascals, Her Memory Again (#5 on Bluegrass Today Weekly Chart) – Flatt Lonesome, Bottle Was a Bible – Junior Sisk, Big Pain – Marty Raybon, Free Again –Shenandoah, Sunday Clothes – Randy Kohrs, That’s Why I Run – Billy Yates (#1 in Europe),You Never Know – Darryl Worley, Like I Do – Jamie O’Neil and more.

This certainly is a wonderful way to set up the release of his debut album on Rural Rhythm Records titled To Whom It May Concern, scheduled for release on July 28th. Co-Produced with Ronnie Bowman To Whom It May Concern, contains 12 co-written songs including the #1 hit song Kentucky Blue along with song writing contributions from Ronnie Bowman, James Evan Parker, Chris Myers, Kathy Hudson, Robbie Melton, Mike Manuel, Guy Nix, Vickie Raye, Lance Droze and Gary Waldrep.

To Whom It May Concern, shows that Billy Droze is truly a unique artist and hit songwriter, with lyrics that dig deep into the heart of life, melodies and a guitar style that combine his traditional roots with a modern twist that’s all his own, and a voice so soulful, earthy and sincere that every song seems to draw you in to believe and enjoy his brand of American Music.

Click here to listen to the single Better With Time. The single Better With Time is available for DJ downloads on AirPlay Direct.

Billy Droze is booking dates and can be contacted at www.billydroze.com.

About Billy Droze:

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, the 10th of 12 children, Billy Ryan Droze grew up in Alabama knowing that music was his life as far back as he can remember. “It’s as if I was inserted with a computer chip that made my life revolve around music.” But the reason is just as likely the influence of his father, Bob “Red” Droze, a dedicated country, gospel, and bluegrass musician, who in 1962 released an album on Rural Rhythm Records making father and son label mates.
Billy was on stage with his dad by the time he was 4 years old, and spent his childhood singing with him everywhere from churches to bluegrass festivals to honky-tonks, developing a passion for traditional country, gospel, and roots music that has influenced him ever since. He learned to play guitar when he was 12, and as a teenager would perform anywhere, anytime, for anyone who would listen, sometimes walking miles down country roads, carrying his guitar, just for the chance to play a few songs.

By the time he was 16, Billy’s dad had moved on to Texas, so he followed him there and spent a year or so playing with his band. Then after rambling around Texas for a while, he decided it was time to move to Nashville, where he’s lived ever since. Continuing to play anywhere he could, and constantly honing his skills as a song smith and musician, Billy steadily expanded his ever-growing fan base, dramatically increased by several tours singing lead for the Grammy-winning group Shenandoah (using the name Billy Ryan).

Billy Droze has been touring and making music non-stop for more than a decade. This truly unique artist and hit songwriter, with lyrics that dig deep into the heart of life, melodies and a guitar style that combine his traditional roots with a modern twist that’s all his own, and a voice so soulful, earthy and sincere that every song draws you in to enjoy his signature sound experience. More information is at Billydroze.com

Nu-Blu Releases Still Small Voice on Video

21 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Bluegrass sensation Nu-Blu just unveiled the brand new video for their current single, “Still Small Voice.” The song serves as their lead release from their brand new album Vagabonds, which was released last month. The upbeat sing-along also features Country Music Hall of Fame Statler Brothers singer Jimmy Fortune, with special guest, Gospel award-winning singer Ben Isaacs. The video premiered exclusively on The Boot. Fans can buy “Still Small Voice” and the latest album on iTunes, Amazon and wherever music is sold.

Our new video for ‘Still Small Voice’ was a load of fun to make. We always have a great time collaborating and creating, but this video uses a little different approach. We take you inside the studio to get a real up-close and personal look at our recording process – Carolyn Routh, Nu-Blu.

Filmed at Red Squared Audio in North Carolina, Nu-Blu took fans inside the studio for the fun video which features the band recording the upbeat bluegrass favorite. The video also includes in-studio footage of Jimmy Fortune and Ben Isaacs tracking Jimmy’s vocals with Nu-Blu during the session at Skaggs Place Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The single continues to generate buzz at radio and beyond with ParcBench saying that “like nearly every track, the single is thoughtful and inspiring…” Radio DJs can download the full album on AirplayDirect now.

Nu-Blu’s latest album Vagabonds is off to a rocking start with press raving about the new collection of music. Roughstock stated that “Vagabonds is a record not to miss; especially for traditional country music fans looking for something new,” while Digital Journal called the album “beautiful and refreshing.” The Country Standard Time agreed, stating that “Vagabonds displays a confident band, minding the bluegrass tradition, but adding its own splash of emotion and clarity.”

Jens Kruger Takes Deering’s 100,000th banjo for a spin

13 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Jens Kruger, a wonderful banjo player and inspiring musician, is no stranger to many of us musicians and bluegrass music aficionados us here in Australia. In the video below Jens is at Elderly Instruments, demonstrating this Deering Banjo serial number 100,000, currently being auctioned on Ebay.

All proceeds will be donated to the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Bluegrass Trust Fund.

Deering Banjo Company and Elderly Instruments of Lansing, Michigan, have always exhibited an unwavering support of the Bluegrass community. Together they have decided to offer Deering’s 100,000th milestone Sierra banjo up for special auction with all proceeds going directly to the IBMA Trust Fund.

Please spread the word to the banjo lover in your life: this one-of-a-kind instrument is up for auction now. IBMA is grateful to Deering Banjos and Elderly Instruments for their generosity. It will be a boon to the hardworking bluegrass pros in our music who turn to the Trust Fund for help in times of emergency need.

Davidson Brothers to Launch New Album in Yinnar

12 May, 17 by Greg McGrath 2 Comments

Born and bred Yinnar boys The Davidson Brothers have taken on the country music world and are returning home to launch their 8th album All You Need is Music at the Yinnar Hotel in Victoria’s Gippsland this Saturday.

It’s a bit of a homecoming gig – Lachlan Davidson.

Lachlan and Hamish recorded their latest album in Nashville, the fifth time they’ve done so, and have toured extensively, having shared the stage with some pretty big names in country music including Lee Kernaghan and Jimmy Barnes.

The duo was also recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Tamworth which Lachlan described as a huge honour.

“Artists that are in there have done their time and done the miles,” Lachlan said.

“We were going (to Tamworth) in ’98 when we released the first album and we saw Slim Dusty and Keith Urban in the parade, so it was an honour to be put in the hall of fame alongside them.”

Despite all the accolades and glamour, Lachlan has stayed humble and is looking forward to performing in Yinnar after two years to show everyone their new music.

“The country material is actually new territory for us, we usually do acoustic bluegrass. This is the first time we’ve recorded country tracks with percussion and electric guitar,” Lachlan said.

He said the change aimed to bring fans of the two music genres, country and bluegrass, together to create a fusion of two styles.

“We play a lot of country festivals and we’ve played on country radio a lot. Early on we got to perform with a lot of country acts in Australia,” Lachlan said.

“So the idea was to bring country fans towards what we do (bluegrass) and to bring the two together – a similar sound to draw some new people in.”

“We are excited to return to Yinnar. It’s a great, peaceful place with a beautiful landscape. Everybody knows each other and there are not a lot of distractions,” Lachlan said.

“We recorded our first album at the dinner table back in ’98 and released it at the Yinnar Hotel, so we’re going back to where it all began.”

The Davidson Brothers will be performing at the Yinnar Hotel at 9pm on Saturday.

IBMA Call or Award Submissions

8 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Distinguished Achievement Awards honour those who are forerunners in their field and those who have expanded the recognition and accessibility of bluegrass through developments they have spearheaded.

The Special Awards recognise excellence in the areas of Print Media, Broadcast, Graphic Design for Recorded Projects, Liner Notes and Bluegrass Songwriter.

The Momentum Awards were created to recognise up-and-coming talent in the bluegrass music community – both on the business and music side.

IBMA Needs Your Submissions. Do you know an individual, band, business or organisation who is deserving of one of these awards? Submissions are being accepted online May 1-31, 2017. Support materials are required for some Momentum Awards submissions. A letter of recommendation is required for Distinguished Achievement submissions.

Go to the IBMA Website to enter submissions.

2017 Pittwater Bluegrass Retreat

5 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

We have just received news that the 8th annual Pittwater Bluegrass Retreat is now open for bookings.

Here’s a great weekend of good company, amazing scenery, delicious food (all provided) and non-stop picking. What more could a bluegrass or old-timey picker ask for?

The Pittwater Bluegrass Retreat is set for 26th-28th May 2017 at Pittwater YHA (Lovetts Bay- access by ferry from Church Point.

The weekend will cost $140 or just $30-40 day pass

If you are into bluegrass or old-time music then here is the weekend for you. Click here to pre-purchase your tickets.

Please pass this on to all and any whom you think may be interested.

Dailey & Vincent New Video – That Feel Good Music

5 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

American bluegrass music stars Dailey & Vincent have just premiered the brand new video for their song “That Feel Good Music.” The fun, upbeat video features the award-winning pair teaming up with Country Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, who also co-wrote the track alongside Jamie Dailey and Jeffrey East. “That Feel Good Music” is featured on the Grammy-nominated duo’s latest critically acclaimed album Patriots & Poets, which was released last month via Dreamlined Entertainment Group and BFD (distributed via Red).

Filmed on-location in Jamie Dailey’s hometown – the scenic Gainesboro, Tennessee, the video features Dailey & Vincent and Bill Anderson taking a drive, while cranking up “That Feel Good Music.” Throughout the fun video there are several twists and turns, including singing, square dancing, and a brief run-in with the law. The visual was directed by Jennifer Bonior. At the conclusion of the video, Dailey & Vincent and Anderson walk back to the tour bus to return “home” to the Grand Ole Opry.

With 2017 being a career defining year, Dailey & Vincent have continued to reach new heights. As the newest members of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the IBMA winners became part of an elite group of musicians and artists who helped define country, bluegrass, American music and beyond. With the release of their new project Patriots & Poets, Dailey & Vincent have brought their sound to fans on a national level with recent features in The Huffington Post, Parade.com, SiriusXM and more. The lively pair are hitting the road in celebration of the new project, with stops at venues and festivals nationwide. Dailey & Vincent LandFest In The Mountains, the duo’s annual festival, will take place September 14-16 in Hiawassee, Georgia, where fans will be treated to a full weekend of music and fun. If you’re in the area in mid September then tickets are available from this link.

Dailey & Vincent Summer Tour Dates:

Apr. 28 – Nelsonville, Ohio – Stuart’s Opera House
Apr. 29 – Dublin, Va. – New River Community College
Apr. 30 – Hawkinsville, Ga. – Hawkinsville Opera House
May 02 – Nashville, Tenn. – Grand Ole Opry
May 05 – Nashville, Tenn. – Grand Ole Opry
May 06 – Shipshewana, Ind. – Blue Gate Theater
May 07 – Denton, Md. – Bluegrass by the Mill
May 09 – Nashville Tenn. – Grand Ole Opry
May 12 – Athens, Tenn. – Athens City Middle School Auditorium
May 13 – Prestonsburg, Ky. – Mountain Arts Center
May 23 – Nashville, Tenn. – Grand Ole Opry
May 25 – Nashville, Tenn. – Grand Ole Opry
May 29-30 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – Dollywood

Jun. 02 – Knoxville, Iowa – Knoxville Performing Arts Center
Jun. 03 – St. Louis, Mo. – The Grandel Theatre
Jun. 08 – Shipshewana, Ind. – Blue Gate Theater
Jun. 09 – Petersburg, Va. – Dinwiddie Music Festival at Virginia
Jun. 10 – Cherokee, N.C. – Happy Holiday RV Village
Jun. 12 – Morgantown, Ind. – Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom
Jun. 18 – Chillicothe, Ohio – Sugar Loaf Mountain Amphitheater
Jun. 21 – Summerville, W.Va. – Music in the Mountains – Summersville Music Park
Jun. 22 – Owensboro, Ky. – ROMP Festival
Jun. 30 – Queen City, Mo. – Sally Mountain Park
July 12 – Jackson, Tenn. – Carl Perkins Civic Center
July 13 – Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium
July 15 – Mt. Vernon, Ky. – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

July 16 – Elkins, W.VA. – American Mountain Theater
July 29 – Odon, Ind. – Simon J Graber Community Building
July 30 – Egg Harbor, Wis. – Peg Egan Performing Arts Center
Aug. 02 – Tulsa, Okla. – Brumley Gospel Sing – Mabee Center
Aug. 18 – Marion, N.C. – Tom Johnson’s Camping World
Sept. 02 – Brunswick, Maine – Thomas Point Beach
Sept. 03 – Lancaster, Pa. – American Music Theatre
Sept. 07 – Greenville, Ky. – Felix E. Martin Jr. Hall
Sept. 08 – Shipshewana, Ind. – Blue Gate Theater
Sept. 09 – Claremore, Okla. – Bluegrass and Chili Festival
Sept. 10 – Austin, Texas – One World Theatre
Sept. 14-16 – Hiawassee, Ga. – Dailey & Vincent LandFest in the Mountains

About Dailey & Vincent:
Five-time Grammy award winners individually, three-time Grammy award nominees collectively, four-time Dove Award winners, and winners of 35 IBMA Awards altogether (including 3-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award winners and 3-Time Vocal Group of the Year Award winners), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, backed by one of the best bands on tour today, are some of the most reputable and elite entertainers in American music; bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music.

The concoction of the fantastically instinctive vocal blends of Dailey’s tenor and Vincent’s reedy harmonies has gained them well-deserved praise for their own distinctive style and worldwide recognition as American Music gold. Dailey & Vincent has garnered world-wide attention with their first national, top-rated television series, “The Dailey & Vincent Show,” on RFD TV and over 500 airings of their PBS special “Dailey & Vincent Alive – In Concert.” Their most recent CD, Dailey & Vincent Alive, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and remained at the top position for over 15 weeks. For more information, visit www.DaileyandVincent.com.

Lonesone River Band Releases Mayhayley’s House

2 May, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Lonesome River Band to release New Album Mayhayley’s House dedicated to Georgia’s “Oracle of the Ages”

The trails and celebrations of American life over the last three centuries are chronicled in various strains of acoustic music. From Appalachian music, the Piedmont Blues to American Folk, these various styles and musical instruments come together to convey the sentiment that embodies the heart of America.

In the early middle of the 20th century, when the modern world began to encroach into the valleys and “hollers” of Appalachia, a new strain of Appalachian music began to come together that brought renewal in the norms and values of the region as it also brought a sadness – a bluer element to the equation that could help convey a culture under duress. This became known as Bluegrass music. It was and is the stalwart expression of the region – the fiddle and the mandolin integrated with the banjo.

Lonesome River Band did not invent Bluegrass, but it does represent today’s most renowned manifestation of what Bluegrass embodies. Fronted by the multi-awarded banjo player, Sammy Shelor, the members of this band live the life, talk the talk, walk the walk, and write and perform the music of Bluegrass culture as no other band does. Sammy is a descendant of The Shelor Family (AKA the Dad Blackard’s Moonshiners), an American folk music group formed in Meadows of Dan, Virginia in the 1920s. Their music was recorded during the Bristol sessions in 1927 and had a profound impact on country and bluegrass music.

Mayhayley’s House, the new album by Lonesome River Band is a very special tribute to the sentiments of these cultural worlds. This release is dedicated to Mayhayley Lancaster, a self-proclaimed “Oracle of the Ages” who handed out “readings” and personal predictions at her home in southwest Georgia’s Heard County. She was a quintessential southern woman seer, a well-known lawyer, political activist, midwife and teacher until her death in 1955.

The material essence of the music performed for this album does something different. It’s not the standard re-hash of bluegrass songs and music. Titles like “Wrong Road Again,” “Diggin’,” “As The Crow Flies,” “Lonesome Bone,” and “I Think I’m Gonna Be Alright,” are just vessels containing sips of an elixir that “Feels Real Good Goin’ Down.” The surrounding instrumental performances of Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, Brandon Rickman on guitar, Jesse Smathers on mandolin, Barry Reed on Bass, with Sammy Shelor’s groovin’ banjo provide the underlining, the italics, and the exclamation points to the lyrical content.

Everything works together to make a statement – this album means something. If you’re part of the culture, you’ll know exactly what it means. If you are not, you will at least get a good sense of what it feels like to live the Appalachian and southern life. Mayhayley’s House will release June 23, 2017 when Lonesome River Band again hosts RudyFest in Grayson, Kentucky.

LRB fans can get an immediate download of the first single, “Wrong Road Again” when they pre-order the album now at iTunes. Pre-orders are also available at Amazon and GooglePlay.

The full track list includes:

Wrong Road Again
As Lonesome As I Am
Mayhayley’s House
Old Coyote Tow
Blackbirds And Crows

Ida Red
Diggin’
As The Crow Flies
Lonesome Bone
Think I’m Gonna Be Alright

Feels Real Good Goin’ Down
Hickory Hollow Times and County News
Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss

For more information on Lonesome River Band, please visit LonesomeRiverBand.com and join them on Twitter and Instagram. #LonesomeRiverBand #LRB #MayhayleysHouse.

About The Lonesome River Band:

Since its formation 35 years ago, Lonesome River Band continues its reputation as one of the most respected names in Bluegrass music. Five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Banjo Player of the Year, and winner of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, Sammy Shelor leads the group that is constantly breaking new ground in Acoustic music. With two stellar lead vocalists, Brandon Rickman (guitar) Jesse Smathers (mandolin), and the impressive talents of Mike Hartgrove (fiddle) and Barry Reed (bass), the band seamlessly comes together, performing the trademark sound that fans continue to embrace.

2017 Lost Highway

26 Apr, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Lost Highway Karuah Bluegrass Music Festival is scheduled for 5th to 7th May this year. This year’s event looks set to be a huge draw with headline act Golden Guitar winner and musical comedian Pete Denahy. Others on this year’s bill include Bluestone Junction as ell as the festival’s first band from Canada The All Day Breakfast Stringband from Montreal. Queensland’s Owl Valley Bluegrass from the Gold Coast.

Karuah main street is set to feature with market stalls and a variety of food vendors and pop up restaurants at the festival site.

Tickets are still available to purchase from the website.

Want to be involved in the Lost Highway festival as a volunteer?

You will be treated to an exclusive workshop and jam session with Canada’s All Day Breakfast Stringband, plus all the fun and satisfaction of helping to run a blossoming local music event. We are looking for people with their RSA to help at the bar, ticket sellers and gate monitors, venue decorators and sign writers, stage managers, and general help setting up the site.

Please contact Gleny Rae by emailing gleny120@yahoo.com or call her on 0416196525.

New Album For The Pipis

21 Apr, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Pipi Pickers are back in Dunedin this month recording their new album. The album will be available for sale later in the year.

The band has spent 8 days in the studio and will be performing a set of songs from the new album at the New Edinburgh Folk Club on Saturday, 22 April.

The New Edinburgh Folk Club perfomance will be the bands last for a while as they their winter break. Keep an eye out for them come Spring.

Billy Droze – It Gets Better With Time

About Billy Droze:

Nu-Blu Releases Still Small Voice on Video

Jens Kruger Takes Deering’s 100,000th banjo for a spin

Davidson Brothers to Launch New Album in Yinnar

IBMA Call or Award Submissions

2017 Pittwater Bluegrass Retreat

Dailey & Vincent New Video – That Feel Good Music

Lonesone River Band Releases Mayhayley’s House

Lonesome River Band to release New Album Mayhayley’s House dedicated to Georgia’s “Oracle of the Ages”

2017 Lost Highway

New Album For The Pipis

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