CD Releases

Ralph Stanley II – Raining in My Heart.

8 Mar, 18 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys have announced the release of their new radio single Raining In My Heart written by Ralph Stanley II, Alex Leach and Joe Rose. The song is from the band’s self-titled album that has appeared on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums Chart numerous times since its release. Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine refers to the tune as one of the “softer, gentle country sounds” from the album. Radio programmers can download the song at AirPlayDirect or request the file.

The album has already generated a #1 hit on Bluegrass Today’s Top 20 Song Charts with Don’t Point Your Finger and recently appeared on the publication’s Top 20 Monthly Chart. “The new record has the potential of being one of the best traditional bluegrass records of the year,” said Bluegrass Today.

Music fans can purchase the Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys album at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, www.ralph2.com and more outlets.

Ralph II leads the band on vocals and guitar. He is joined by Clinch Mountain Boys John Rigsby on fiddle and mandolin, Alex Leach on banjo, and Noah Brown on the upright bass.

Be sure to check out a live performance by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys. Upcoming dates include:

March 10 – Clay City, KY
March 11 – Fairborn, OH
March 24 – Bristol, VA
April 12 – Bristol, VA
April 13 – Waco, GA
April 14 – Folkston, GA
April 15 – Zephyrhills, FL

Dave Adkins – I Can Only Imagine

28 Feb, 18 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Mountain Fever Records has announced the release of a second single from the upcoming Dave Adkins album, Right Or Wrong. The new single, specifically geared toward inspirational, Christian and gospel radio programmers and fans, is titled I Can Only Imagine, and is available today.

Right Or Wrong is the new album from Dave Adkins due out on 9th March and the first bluegrass single, Blood Feud has been very well received by radio programmers to-date. A straight-ahead bluegrass tune, it has already charted on Bluegrass Today’s Top 20 Songs chart at #3. But with the success of the Dave Adkins Trio’s all-gospel project in 2017, radio programmers have been anxiously awaiting the next gospel song to add to their rotation.

I Can Only Imagine was written by Bart Millard, lead singer for the Christian rock band Mercy Me, who had a break out hit with the song in 2001.

I heard the song when Mercy Me first released it and I loved it. My bass player, Mitchell Brown, and I were on the phone talking about songs for this album and he said, ‘I think you should record this song.’ And then he played I Can Only Imagine to me over the phone. When we started recording, Mark Hodges of Mountain Fever came up with the idea to have a choir involved and that’s what we did. Missy Delgado and my label-mate and dear friend, Amanda Cook, sang harmony, and the choir consists of Carolyne Van Lierop and Kate Delgado. We even let Mark sing on it! This song has turned out to be one of the most special I’ve ever recorded – Dave Adkins.

I Can Only Imagine by Dave Adkins is available to all radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

The new single is available now through various popular music outlets. To view a full tour schedule for the Dave Adkins Band, please visit Dave Adkins Website..

About Dave Adkins:

If you’ve ever met Dave Adkins, you might find yourself surprised to find the larger-than-life persona on stage is exactly that off stage, as well. He’s a powerhouse of talent and his vocals, songwriting, and excitable stage presence simply astound audiences, drawing them in almost instantaneously within the first few moments of a live performance experience. New fans of his music soon learn that behind Adkins’ immeasurable talent is a heart-of-gold, sincere in his approach to his music and with his fans. Since signing with Mountain Fever Records, Adkins has released three projects, including two solo records, all achieving much success with fans, reviewers, and radio programmers. His most recent self-titled album produced four charting singles including Change Her Mind which spent 10 months on the National Bluegrass Survey’s Top 30 Songs chart.

Tom Eure – The Coin, The Prayer & The Crow

18 Feb, 18 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Tom Eure has released The Coin, The Prayer & The Crow, his 6th original album. The singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist creates music that is at once robust, and the next moment lilting. It is a heartfelt fusion of Folk, Celtic, and Appalachian influences.

Tom grew up in Roanoke Rapids, attended Appalachian State University, and resides near Charlotte. With its rich musical history and traditions, Eure’s home state of North Carolina provides endless inspiration.

As a sought-after studio musician, Eure has appeared on over 45 albums, smoothly transitioning between genres. He’s the fiddler for 2015 CMA award winners Flatland Tourist, spent seven years with the Cajun band Carolina Gator Gumbo, and is part of the Celtic music group Thistledown Tinkers. Experiences with such varied acts have served to enhance Tom’s “folk process” of absorbing musical traditions and allowing them to shape his own unique sound.

Because I play several instruments, I’ve been lucky enough to work with bands from all types of genres. I’ve worked with acts in Celtic, Cajun, Americana, Rock and more, and every one of those experiences influences my playing and my writing – Tom Eure.

The Coin, The Prayer & The Crow finds Tom Eure joined by a new musical partner, Amelia Osborne, who is equally skilled at fiddle, banjo, bodhrán, mandolin, and as a vocalist. The two multi-instrumentalists swirl together fiddles, banjos, drums, mandolins, guitars, and rousing vocal harmonies, painting a musical picture that is fresh and uplifting.

The new album features Eure on vocals, banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass. His various influences weave tastefully, and in almost imperceptible ways, like sweet memories.

I feel like my music career has not been unlike a world traveler. I’ve been visiting all these wonderful places and am able to bring my favourite parts back with me. Picking up on something and passing it along, sharing it, that’s what folk music is all about. The new album is a celebration of life, love and music that is the next logical step in what I call my ‘folk process – Tom Eure.

Eure has performed at top venues including The Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville and the iconic CBGB’s Gallery in New York City, as well as theaters, festivals and Highland Games throughout the states. Tom has opened for some of the best in the business, including James McMurtry, Chris Smither, and the late Warren Zevon. In concert with Osborne, the duo moves seamlessly from one instrument to another, keeping the performance fun, fresh, and engaging. They draw on their many musical influences to create a sound that is new yet familiar, risky yet comfortable, and always with a focus on the integrity of the song.

The Coin, The Prayer & The Crow is available now. The collection of 13 songs is a joyful retrospective of Tom’s Celtic and Appalachian influences with an eye set on the future.

Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle – I’m All Right

24 Jan, 18 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Rural Rhythm Records has released I’m All Right the new single from Steve Gulley And New Pinnacle. Written by Christoffer Olsson and Jon Weisberger, this is the second single from the group’s third Rural Rhythm Records album titled Time Won’t Wait.

Written by acclaimed songwriter Jon Weisberger and Swedish singer/songwriter Christoffer Olsson, I’m All Right is a hard-driving tribute to a hard-working man who loves his job, but hates leaving his home and family. High lonesome, in your face bluegrass which is such a big part of what we do – Steve Gulley.

Produced by Steve Gulley, I’m All Right contains performances by group members, Steve Gulley on lead vocal and guitar, Bryan Turner on harmony vocal and bass, Gary Robinson, Jr. on mandolin and Matthew Cruby on harmony vocal and banjo, with special guest Tim Crouch on fiddle. Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle are currently on tour.

For more information go to Stevegulley.com.

I’m All Right, as well as the entire album is available for DJ downloads on AirPlay Direct. TIME WON’T WAIT is exclusively distributed by the Orchard and available on iTunes, Amazon and where ever Bluegrass music is sold.

About Steve Gulley:

The Gulley family name enjoys a rich musical heritage that reaches across generations with strong roots in Bluegrass and Mountain Gospel music. It starts with long time radio personality Don Gulley who was a founding member of the Bluegrass group the Pinnacle Mountain Boys. Don’s son, Steve Gulley, has carried on the family tradition performing for many years with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, as a founding member of Bluegrass super groups Mountain Heart and Grasstowne, as a regular featured performer at Renfro Valley and with Steve’s longtime friend and colleague Dale Ann Bradley
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Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle includes; Steve Gulley on guitar, Bryan Turner on bass,Gary Robinson, Jr. on mandolin and Matthew Cruby on banjo. Steve Gulley certainly does not need any introduction to the Bluegrass community with accomplishments that include 16 years as a featured performer, staff musician, music director, studio manager and producer at Renfro Valley, KY. From 1994-96 Steve was a member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and a founding member of Mountain Heart (’98 – ’06), Grasstowne (’06 – ’11) and with long-time friend Dale Ann Bradley through 2014. Steve is a winner of four IBMA Awards including Co-writer of the 2008 Song of the Year, Through The Window Of A Train, by Blue Highway and SPBGMA Multi award winner including 2008 Album Of The Year, The Road Headin’ Home, by Grasstowne.

Rural Rhythm Records and Steve Gulley have enjoyed a long and successful friendship and business relationship for many years yielding three Steve Gulley solo albums and eight Steve Gulley artist produced albums since 2010 beginning with the release of Dogwood Winter by Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford.

Over the past eight years this successful partnership has enjoyed many hit singles from a variety of exciting album projects including two Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle albums; Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle Aim High; Steve Gulley solo gospel album Family, Friends and Fellowship as well as an impressive list of artist produced albums including Claybank Playing Hard To Forget; Stuart Wyrick – East Tennessee Sunrise; Brand New Strings – No Strings Attached; Locust Ridge – Healed; Dave Atkins and Republik Steele – That’s Just The Way I Roll, Carrie Hassler – The Distance; Cumberland River – The Life We Live; Crosspoint – We’re Gonna Rise and the gospel hit single Dancing With Daddy by Debby Gulley.

In addition to the artist produced albums Steve Gulley produced two special album projects including the critically acclaimed Civil War themed album God Didn’t Choose Sides and the TV Holiday Special Christmas the Mountain Way that aired on RFD-TV’s Family.net and BlueHighwaysTV networks also available on DVD / CD.

The Pipi Pickers Release With a Spade

1 Dec, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

New Zealand band, The Pipi Pickers have just released their next album called With a Spade.

The Pipi Pickers are Jenine Abarbanel: double bass, Garry Bigwood on mandolin, Barry Torkington on guitar, Nathan Torkington on banjo. The new album also includes John Egenes on Dobro and guitar, Anna Bowen on fiddle and backing vocals from Gunther Flutney.

The album will be officially released at a launch at Sawmill Café, 142 Pakiri Rd, Leigh NZ. on Sunday, 17th December.

Track listing in order:

1. It’ll Be Alright (Travis Book / Sarah Siskind)
2. Walking Slow Behind You (Hy Heath / Johnny Lange)
3. Down Along the Dixie Line (David Rawlings / Gillian Welch)
4. Come Sail Away (Dennis DeYoung)
5. Compadres in the Old Sierra Madres (Paul W Chrisman)
6. Mando Bounce (Jim Hurst)
7. Rain in Durango (Guy Clark / Ray Stephenson / Shawn Camp)
8. I Call It Gone (Melonie Cannon)

9. Stripes (Brandy Clark / Matt Jenkins / Shane McAnally)
10. Steam Powered Aereo Plane (John Hartford)
11. The Graveyard Shift (Steve Earle)
12. All About That Bass (Kevin Kadish / Meghan Trainor)
13. Sail to Australia (Steve Brines / Sam Bush)
14. My Baby Thinks He’s a Train (Leroy Preston)
15. Ol’ Slewfoot (Howard Hausey / Eddie Manney)
16. Camping by the Sun (Peter Mayer)

You can download each of the tracks or whole album from Bandcamp:

Cover design and layout for the album was done by Slavka Franclikova and the cover and band photos are by Aurelia Torkington.

Connect with the Pipis:

Women In Stringbands Project

30 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Part of this year’s MountainGrass Festival saw the launch of a project celebrating women in string bands in Australia and those who collaborate and support them.

ABOTMA sought to promote the participation of Australian female musicians and to inspire more women to participate and perform in playing acoustic string band music in the future.

This CD compilation comprises songs and tunes featuring Australian women playing music rooted in bluegrass, old-time acoustic string music and other related folk styles.

This CD was made possible by the generosity of the Folk Alliance of Australia, ABOTMA, Alexander Bell Sound Studios and all artists involved.

The album features well-known artists (known to this writer at least) such as Karen Lynne, Nadine Budge – The Stetson Family, Gennie Kane, Jane Germain, Kimberly Wheeler, Maria Duff – Bluegrass Parkway and Appalachian Heaven Stringband. Other artists or bands featured in this project include Slim Dime, Kate Burke and Ruth Hazleton, Hot Diggity, Lee Liddel – Change Tree, Cielle Montgomery, Miriam Jones – Catgut, Eleanor Frith, Black Mountain String Band.

Track List:

1. Blue Mountain Rain – Karen Lynne
2. Little White Dog – Genni Kane
3. Mary Jane – Slim Dime
4. Little Bird of Heaven – Kate Bush, Ruth Hazleton
5. Big Eyed Rabbit – Jane Germain
6. I Never Will Marry – Kimberly Wheeler
7. Stop – Hot Diggity
8. Home – Change Tree

9. Let it Ride – The Stetson Family
10. I Don’t Do Floors Anymore – Bluegrass Parkway
11. Long Gone – Cielle Montgomery
12. Dangar Falls/Rockingham Cindy
13. Evangeline – Appalachian Heaven Stringband
14. Rain Winter – Eleanor Firth
15. Time Traveller – Black Mountain String Band

The project was undertaken through the Australasian Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association Inc. and managed by Kimberly Wheeler.

The album was mastered by Ian Alexander and Alexander Bell Sound Studios.

Owl Valley Bluegrass Self-titled CD.

30 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath 4 Comments

Now in their fifth year, Gold Coast band Owl Valley Bluegrass has launched their new self-titled CD.

Owl Valley Bluegrass features some fine Australian musicians with Stewart Porter on guitar and harmonica, Rob Davis on banjo and accordion, Mark Webber on bass, Dan Kerin on fiddle, mandolin and guitar and Geoff Wright on mandolin and Dobro.

The new album was recorded, produced and mixed by Rod McCormack at The Music Cellar. Rod also makes a guest appearance on the CD playing banjo and guitar.

This album will make a great addition to any bluegrass CD collection and is a great testament to the quality of bluegrass music being played, performed and recorded in Australia.

This CD is available from CD Baby.

Track Listing:

1. New River Train
2. Big Sciota
3.The Lowlands
4. Standing on a Rock

5. Clinch Mountain Backstep
6. Old Home Place
7. High on a Mountain Top
8. Fire on the Mountain

9. Uncle Penn
10. Working on the Railroad

New Single for The Stetson Family – Brother

29 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Stetson Family has just released a brand new single Brother, which is available now on their website, iTunes and other online stores.

To celebrate the release of Brother The Stetsons are teaming up with Tracy McNeil & the Goodlife for an Americana Double Feature at the beautiful Theatre Royal Castlemaine on Friday 1st December.

If you’re up for the Goodlife’s California shimmer and some free-wheeling Americana bluegrass then click here and grab a ticket. This show was voted one of the ‘Best Local Live Gigs’ in the Off The Record Reader’s Poll 2016.

In other news The Stetsons have secured Australian music legend Ernie Rose on this latest recording. (Ernie, he’s the guy behind the controls of some of Australia’s best albums for artists including Renee Geyer, Little River Band, Farnsy, Mondo Rock).

Taylor Pfeiffer – Take Her

6 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Taylor Pfeiffer has announced the release of her new EPTake Her.

The first single from the EP Take Her is a self-penned song, recorded across NSW and USA in an alt-country style. The single featuring brass and banjo in a 1920’s theme filmed by Jason Mildwaters of JLM Studios in Adelaide, Australia, and featuring actor Taylor Allen.

Filming took place in Riverton SA, mostly at the Riverton Railway Station, and I’m thrilled with the results and the reviews the video has received. I’d love for you to have a look – Taylor Pfeiffer.

Several songs from this EP have been nominated for songwriting awards and are awaiting final judging.

The EP was recorded at Hillbilly Hut Australia and 1-4-5 Studios USA. It was produced and mixed by Simon Johnson and mastered by Jeff McCormack.

Tack List for Take Her:

1. Beauty Is The Beast – T Pfeiffer
2. Take Her – T Pfeiffer
3. Murder In The Dark – T Pfeiffer

4. Make Today Count – M Scullion/T Pfeiffer
5. Romeo – T Pfeiffer

Balsam Range EP – It’s Christmas Time

4 Nov, 17 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Balsam Range has announced the release of their latest EP, It’s Christmas Time. The six-track outing spreads seasonal joy with a mix of contemporary and traditional tunes and features the beloved band in an unusual pairing with the Nashville Recording Orchestra.

Radio stations can ensure that It’s Christmas Time makes their holiday playlist by downloading from AirPlay Direct. Fans can listen to a live stream now on Bluegrass Today, or purchase the new EP from this link.

For those who might consider the joining of Bluegrass and orchestral music an odd mix – you are not alone. Respected tastemaker David Allan of Britain’s Country Music People magazine notes, “I thought I would hate it – the very idea of Bluegrass and strings, not to mention a sax, BUT it works … creating a rich, sentimental and wonderful, magical Christmassy feeling … definitely a winner.”

This is the band’s first Christmas release. “We loved the idea, and we were intrigued by the musical possibilities that this project would open up to us,” Balsam Range spokesman Tim Surrett reflects. “We had to take a bit of a different approach to make it work, but I think the result was worth the effort.”

Early reviewers agree:

Here’s a sweet Bluegrass, Christmas EP that takes some chances that work well among the tried and true. They know their stuff and how to play it right – Midwest Record Entertainment.

Balsam Range is superb on this holiday collection. All six tracks are refreshing and unique – Markos Papadatos, Digital Journal

Will certainly spread joy for listeners through the holidays this year and for many to come – Herbert Arnold, Wheel Country Music Magazine (Germany).

To celebrate the EP’s release, Balsam Range will host the Atlanta Pops Orchestra to perform these holiday tunes during the closing show of the group’s second annual Balsam Range Art of Music Festival at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina (December 1 and 2). Additional entertainers, including Flatt Lonesome and Darrell Scott will perform during the event, which also features various workshops. Select tickets are still available and much more information can be found on the Festival’s website.

About Balsam Range:

Balsam Range formed in 2007, has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts in recent years, garnering 11 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards on the heels of six critically-acclaimed albums. The group has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast to coast, selling out venues across the nation, and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Their previous album, Mountain Voodoo, debuted at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and remained on that chart for 52 weeks. Three singles from the album reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including Blue Collar Dreams, which spent three consecutive months at the top. The disc was recently honoured as the IBMA’s 2017 Album of the Year.

It’s Christmas Time Track List:

Christmas Lullaby
The First Noel

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
I’m Going Home, It’s Christmas Time

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Jingle Bells (instrumental)

Visit the band: