New Single From Authentic Unlimited – Goodbye.
The rapidly-rising bluegrass ensemble, Authentic Unlimited, releases Goodbye from their, So Much For Forever album today.
Goodbye showcases the group’s exceptional harmonies and instrumental mastery and has earned the band praise for its fresh take on traditional bluegrass while staying true to the genre’s roots.
Fans may listen to the new single here.
Jerry Cole, the writer of Goodbye, shares insight into the song’s emotional depth:
Goodbye tells the story of a couple who, despite knowing their relationship is unrecoverable, refuse to leave the other. The reasoning could be fear, guilt, shame, or stubbornness. The listener can decide for themselves – Jerry Cole.
Heartache has never sounded so good The hauntingly beautiful Goodbye, with its moving melody and its soberingly honest lyric, is yet another masterpiece written by bass player and vocalist Jerry Cole and sung with pure emotion by guitarist John Meador. ‘Goodbye’ is certain to join the growing list of Authentic Unlimited favourites – Jerry Salley, Billy Blue Records.
The appeal of the group’s 2024 album, So Much For Forever, which is the #1 album on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top Bluegrass Albums Chart for October, is growing rapidly following #1s for both prior singles, Fall in Tennessee and Big Wheels. Band members Eli Johnston, Jerry Cole, Stephen Burwell, Jesse Brock, and John Meador were humbled to learn recently that they will be featured on the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited’s November 2024 issue.
Continuing to captivate audiences with a satisfying blend of traditional and modern bluegrass, Authentic Unlimited solidifies its place as a leading act within the genre, evidenced by their 8 nominations in the upcoming IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.
We hear that there is new Christmas album from Authentic Unlimited due out in November, 2024.
About Authentic Unlimited bandMembers:
Stephen Burwell
Stephen is the son of Edwin and Cheryl Burwell of Lake Jackson, Texas. At age 4, the family moved to Washington. He learned to play fiddle when he was 8. In 2014, he moved to North Carolina, where he auditioned for Doyle Lawson only a few days after the move. He was made part of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver on October 1, 2014. He describes Lawson as “the best boss ever” and contributes much of his dedication to the craft to the years spent in Quicksilver. Stephen is also a recording engineer and has a studio located at his home. Stephen and his wife, Haley, welcomed their daughter, Lydia, into the world this winter.
Jerry Cole
Jerry was born in 1974, and raised in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee. He has been around music his entire life. He is the son of Jerry Lee and Nancy Cole. He has two older and two younger siblings. At the age of 6, Jerry’s father, Jerry Lee, taught Jerry to play guitar. Jerry Lee sang with The Betterway Quartet for nearly 30 years.
During Jerry Lee’s practice sessions at home, young Jerry also learned to sing lead and harmony vocals. Jerry first toured with Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad, recording two albums with the band. He later joined Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out where he stayed for 3 years. In December 2018, Jerry joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver where he stayed until Lawson’s retirement in December, 2021.
Eli Johnston
Eli was born near Branson, Missouri, to parents David and Alycia Johnston. He was raised in southeastern Kansas after his father had taken a job at the hospital there as a surgical nurse. He has two younger brothers, one a musician and the other a police officer. Eli’s grandfather, Joe Riker, bought Eli his first guitar when he was 11.
Seeing that his son had a love of music, David would drive Eli all over the country to attend festivals. Eli joined his first band, Nothin’ Fancy, while he was in high school. Later, he became a member of Pine Mountain Railroad. In 2013, Eli joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. During his time there, two of Eli’s songs were recorded by the band. Eli is married to wife Keasley, and they have two children, Huxley and Boone.
Jesse Brock
Jesse is the son of C.W. and Starre Brock who hails from Kentucky. He grew up in a musically inclined family and began singing at the age of 7. At 8, he learned to play the fiddle but soon decided that he was better suited for the mandolin. His first experience as a band member was with his family. Since then, he has performed with some of the top acts in the industry. His efforts were recognized in 2009, and again in 2015, as he was awarded IBMA Mandolin Player of The Year. Jesse is married to Kristine.
John Meador
Meet John Meador who is from East Tennessee. John is the son of Marty Meador and Jenice Harper. He plays guitar and is one of the lead and harmony vocalists. John says he began singing before he was walking. His father began teaching him to play the guitar when he was 12 years old. John joined his first band (Kentucky Just Us) at the age of 14, along with his younger brother. When he was 16, he was offered a scholarship in music that he completed while he was still in high school. John is married to Grace, and they have a daughter, Bethany, and a son, Andy.
