"Still Standing" - The Roys - A Single Review

 The Roy's are just about ready to release a new Album. This is a review of their first single from the CD ,named "Still Standing". On this song, they take on a new type of sound, not as processed and country as their last CD. This song is an upbeat song, which sounds very much bluegrass, reminds me a bit of Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. There is lots of fiddle and Dobro. Elaine does the lead vocals and seems very comfortable with this stripped down bluegrass sound.

   The song is about perseverance, talking about identity and getting on with life. I find myself a little bit with mixed feelings, because I do love bluegrass like this, but The Roy's last CD was so Lush sounding and such a great country album with bluegrass influence. This does make me wonder what the rest of the CD will be like. I can't help but think it will be good, musicians follow their heart or ears ,I really like this, I have some other new surprises that I got recently in the mail. Keep your ears out for this one!!  It's a Good song, different, but real good.

                                   www.theroysonline.com

"Computers, Social Networks, and the lack of Great New Bands and Artists"

 Being a Baby Boomer, I grew up in the Golden Age of American Music. The 60s and 70s brought out a lot of great new artists, genres and music which still shines today on CDs. In the era of  records, you had to be good to get a record deal, because making a good record required a big label studio ,real A and R people and a scene that was incredible in lots of ways.

  In Memphis, you had Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. You had a heavy influence of English musicians starting with the Beatles who propelled rock music to a new level. You had Cream, The Who and The Rolling Stones as iconic groups.

   In Nashville, music row and The Grand Ole Opry was in full flight with artists like Patsy Cline, Chet Atkins, and a thriving business which is alive now, more than ever.

  Artists had something to say or express with their music; the first protest musicians who were not afraid to use music and lyrics as a tool to protest Vietnam War. There was a generation that were not afraid to go against the grain and let their message out. Country Joe and The Fish with "It's 1,2,3 What are we fighting for". It was a time of questioning what was going on and protest and "4 Dead In Ohio" by Crosby,Stills,Nash and Young was a true story song that was a great song in it's own merits.

    They were part of the west coast hippie movement including the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service , Jefferson Airplane and a Spanish guitarist named Carlos Santana. This movement had a life of it's own.

  Meanwhile, Down South, We have the new southern Rock scene with many great bands featuring Lynyrd Skynrd, the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band. I am just dancing around the periphery here with these groups, there were so many more important bands.

   So, What's going on Today? A lot of the same artists releasing new music from Thirty Years ago. And We have the computer and the vanishing CD. Along the way, We started with Records, to Eight track tapes, cassette tapes (which I still Like), to CDs and now the ipod with it's mp3 format. A generation of young folk who have grown up listening to mp3s, They can't appreciate what the Baby Boomers like myself had ,growing up with full bandwidth analog music. Music will always survive, in what form, that is the Question.

"The Life We Live" - Cumberland River - A Review

Cumberland River is a real authentic sounding bluegrass band. They write their own songs and their music has good melodies and harmonies also, but with a flair of the old time bluegrass sound prevalent in their music. The Dobro is a big part of their sound. Steve Gulley does a good job of producing the CD. I like the sound Gulley creates, not too polished, he lets the instruments come thru like they should. Banjo and mandolin sound great too, with some nice lead guitar.






James Dean plays banjo and sings, Joseph Jones plays upright bass, Dustin Middleton plays guitar and mandolin, and sings, Andy Buckner sings and plays guitar, Justin Moses plays fiddle and Dobro, and Jamie Stewart plays Dobro. Steve Gulley sings harmony on several tracks, plus Dale Ann Bradley also sings harmony vocals.



Their music appears on the TV show "Justified", Six of their original songs appeared on two different shows. I really like "Train Of Sorrow", a song that tells a sad story. "Remember Me" is a sad song that is very touching.



This is a very good bluegrass set of songs, that has an original sound in old genre.



http://www.cumberland-river.com/

"paper airplane" - AKUS - a single review

It has been seven years since we have heard anything new from this iconic bluegrass group. You can see the video on AKUS's website. I had heard from another article about the CD that the mood of the project would be depressing. The video is in black and white, shows the members in a rural setting with an old barn and farmhouse. The sound is familiar with Douglas's Dobro and Tyminski on mandolin. Krauss's vocal's have the same angelic, emotive quality as before. The group is sitting in an open tent playing with Alison singing in front of tent and she has a separate tent beside theirs. The production seems to be aimed at getting accurate sounds of their music, rather than something polished and modern like maybe their last album "Lonely Runs Both Ways" was aiming at.




The guys look real serious in their playing as they backup Alison on this song, and there are no back up vocals. A sparser setting than usual.I love this line "but every silver lining seems to have a cloud---". Go check it out.



http://www.alisonkrauss.com/

Josh Slone and Coaltown

Josh Slone is good, real good. He knows how to make a song his and get into it, and make it come alive. Slone has been blessed with a great voice plus the tight high lonesome harmonies are great.




Rural Rhythm scores again. This recording is hot, the followup of the great opening song is a heartbreak ballad "Daddies Don't Cry" and then the real upbeat "Destination Heartbreak" which is another strong offering, nice mandolin and fiddle. This recording has a good deal of reverb and compression, but it is used tastefully. When a producer or mastering engineer uses these tools right, it adds excitement and warmth to the music.



I would love to hear his four piece band live, because it is just him on guitar, a bass player, banjo and mandolin. He has a lot of guest musicians and vocalists on this CD. It is hard to pick out which singers and players are in his band, because there are seventeen people listed as singers or musicians on the CD. But the vocals are tight and there is great Dobro, Banjo and Fiddle.



I love the material, some great song writers stuff. Songs are more like country songs done the bluegrass way. Mark Brinkman, Larry Cordle, whose "Big Blue Raindrops" is a classic. Josh really sounds like a pro, not someone who is doing his first CD.



"Bluegrass and Me" by Mike Wells who wrote alot of these songs is a great uptempo song. The arrangements may be sparse at times, but the music is always top flight. There is a great guitar solo on "Hillbilly Girl", which I'm guessing was done by Josh, because he is the only guitar picker listed.



The closer "Long Legged Woman" is a hoot with some great fiddle playing by Gerald Evans who I read that this was his last CD. That is sad news, Sounds like a man that will be missed by many.



Josh is also a very good guitar player. This is a very good CD overall with lots of great original bluegrass, wish Josh The best!!!



http://www.joshsloneandcoaltown.net/

Interview with Susan Gibson, singer-songwriter (wrote Wide Open Spaces for Dixie Chicks)

Search Amazon.com for Susan Gibson

Susan Gibson has a new CD out or will be out in a few days, it is called "Tightrope", I highly recommend it to anyone who likes acoustic music, This is the best sounding CD that I have heard this year, the sound quality is stunning, plus she has a set of ten very well written and performed songs. She is a great guitarist also and her vocals and lyrics have continued to grow since her hit with Chicks "Wide Open Spaces" .


1. Susan, "Tightrope" is a brilliant acoustic album that really has great sound quality, sparse , yet it is real warm and I love the guitar work. Tell me a little about the recording process and whether it is a digital or analog recording, it is so warm it sounds like it could be reel to reel.

(Susan's reponse)
It’s a digital recording using ProTools, and I would attribute the warmth of the album to the producer, Gabe Rhodes. But maybe it was the stained glass windows in the studio!


2. What kind of guitars were you and Gabe playing? The tone is so nice on the CD. Also, what kind of strings were you using?, I find that interesting, the tone is really unique. Do you have a collection of many guitars? Your guitar playing is excellent , and Gabe's bass and lead parts are also very good.


I play a Gibson Blues King Electro on the record and we mic-ed it. I use D’Addario medium gauge strings. Gabe does have a collection of instruments…he uses a 1919 Martin Parlor and a 1958 Gibson LG-1.


3. I am sorry to hear about your accident. i just read that the CD was finished before the accident. I am guessing that you are glad about that, it is such a fine set of songs. "The wood wouldn't burn" is a great song. Is that a true story?


Yes, the guitar in that story belongs to my friend Roger Marin, a singer-songwriter from Ontario, Canada. It was given to him by the wife of a fan who died in the house fire.


4. Really like the CD artwork, so effective and different, just black and white, Love how you open it up and the "Tightrope" turns into a guitar. Is that a town in the soundhole?


Yes, it’s a fictional town…It’s every town! The artwork was done by my friend Jess Rios from Dallas. http://www.jessrios.com/


5. This CD does not have a bad song on it, my favorites are "it's rainin' outside today, hooray!" , (Love Gabe's guitar licks), "Tightrope" , "oil and water", and all of the others. Do you have a favorite? You sort of remind me of a cross between Terri Hendrix and Carole King.


I love all the songs…but I love the chorus in Hope Diamond and I get chills every time I play The Wood Wouldn’t Burn.



6. OK, the obvious question, you wrote "Wide Open Spaces" for the Dixie Chicks which really took them off to super popularity, Both as the name of Album and as the song on the CD. How did this affect your career? When you wrote that song, did you have any idea how popular it was going to be, did you have a good feel about it? Did your friends like it? This was my favorite CD for like four years, I still like it alot.


When I wrote the song, I didn’t have any idea how popular it would be. I didn’t have any idea how the music business worked with people writing songs for other people. It’s my first original song I had written that was requested by someone I didn’t know at one of my gigs in Montana…and I remember that happening. It changed my career in the opportunities I have had since writing that song, whether it’s getting to go to a national award show or writing with other people that maybe wouldn’t have otherwise heard of me, or having an automatic handlebar for people to grab on to and remember about me. I have been Susan “The Girl Who Wrote Wide Open Spaces For the Dixie Chicks” Gibson for over a decade, and I love it!
 
http://www.susangibson.com/

"Coal Minin' Man" - The Roys - New Single

Coal Minin' Man is the first single from The Roys’ upcoming March CD, LONESOME WHISTLE on Rural Rhythm Records.


It is a classic , traditional sounding up-tempo bluegrass track which tells a true-life story. The instrumentation is really full- with fiddle, guitar, mandolin and Dobro.

Lee and Elaine’s vocals harmonize perfectly as only a brother and sister can.

If the other songs on the CD are anything like this, we are in for a treat.
  http://www.theroyscountry.com/

12th Annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time festival Coming soon

12th ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME FESTIVAL CELEBRATES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AMERICANA AND ROOTS MUSIC




The events of the 12th annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival (SFBOT) will explore and celebrate the past, present and future of bluegrass and old-time music through performances, dances and workshops. The 10-day festival runs from Feb. 11-20 and comprises more than 30 shows at numerous small clubs around the Bay Area featuring some of the most talented musicians on the Americana and roots music scene today.



Highlights of this year’s festival includes Bay Area favorites such as Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, The Crooked Jades, the Stairwell Sisters and the Wronglers. Also featured are beloved from outside the Bay Area, such as Dry Branch Fire Squad and Foghorn Stringband. Giving a nod to past, there will be two different celebrations of the bluegrass icons Flatt and Scruggs — the first a performance @ Freight and Salvage featuring an array of musicians paying tribute and a banjo workshop with Cory Goldman titled “Sex, Drugs and Earl Scruggs.”.



And the festival will spotlight some of the best in up-and-coming performers such as 24-year-old Frank Fairfield, who was recently featured on National Public radio for his unique style and approach on fiddle and banjo old-time tunes, the Southern Appalachian Gospel and fiddle tunes of Alex Caton and Pete Winne and the Chicago-based Henhouse Prowlers, who took the top slot at the 2010 Rockygrass Band Competition. A last minute addition to the festival performing on opening night 2/11/11 @ St. Cyprian's Church are The Nashvillains, an acoustic supergroup featuring virtuosos James Nash of The Waybacks on guitar, Bill Evans on banjo, and Bryan Horne from Hot Buttered Rum on bass!



In addition to shows, the festival aims to provide rich experiences for Bay Area residents through workshops, jam sessions, kids shows, Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools and the Saturday night old-time square dance (always a sell-out with over 220 attendees)! Each year the Festival showcases the best in rising acts from the West Coast and beyond, with a special spotlight on the immense amount of local talent located right here in the Bay Area.



Thanks to a generous investment from the Chris and Warren Hellman Foundation, the festival committee continues its commitment to the Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools program. The program aims to expose elementary and high school students to the worlds of bluegrass and old-time music and continue the legacy of this important music. Schools interested in bringing performers to their a Bay Area location should contact sfbotf.volunteer.coordinator@gmail.com.



Confirmed 2011 Acts



Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Dry Branch Fire Squad, The Crooked Jades, Stairwell Sisters, The Wronglers, The Earl Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs Celebration, Foghorn Stringband, Nell Robinson with John Reischman & the Jaybirds, The Nashvillains, Frank Fairfield, The Henriettas, Henhouse Prowlers, Heroes for Ghosts, Dark Hollow, The Trespassers, Bill Martin, West Nile Ramblers, Windy Hill, AxeL EepH, Lady A & Her Heel Draggers, Walking in Sunlight, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Whiskey Puppy, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Summertown Road, Possum & Lester, The Wiyos, Misisipi Rider, Kemo Sabe, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand, Hang Jones, Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue, Heidi Clare & AtaGallop, The Bee Eaters, Alex Caton & Pete Winne, Misner & Smith, JimBo Trout & the Fishpeople, Bay Island Ramblers, Erik Clampitt, Old Man Markley, Pine Box Boys, Jackstraw, Bucky Walters, The Whisky Richards, Water Tower Bucket Boys, Brothers Comatose, Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands, Gayle Schmitt & the Toodala Ramblers, Black Crown Stringband, Creole Belles, Aux Cajunals, Emily Bonn & The Vivants, Savannah Blu, Knuckle Knockers, Family Lines, and many others.



Unlike any other festival in the country, the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival is a grass-roots, non-profit, volunteer-run festival dedicated to keeping the tradition of bluegrass and old-time alive. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.sfbluegrass.org/.

###



Please contact Elizabeth Smith @ j.elizabeth@gmail.com or Tanya Pinkerton @ 510.669.9832 for more information and interview/photography requests.





The Nashvillains Photo Credit:Dave Weiland







The Nashvillains.JPG

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Mountain Heart EP In The Mail - Order Today!!

Mountain Heart has a new EP waiting for you to order at their website store!!!

Mountain Heart Site

Rural Rhythms Records has Big Release Out too "Live @ Graves Mountain"

Search Amazon.com for Rural Rhythms RecordsTHE ALL-STAR JAM – LIVE AT GRAVES MOUNTAIN was recorded on June 4, 2010 at the 18th Annual Graves Mountain Festival of Music in Syria, Virginia. This special day in Bluegrass was celebrated with performances by six chart-topping artists including: Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Lou Reid & Carolina, Carrie Hassler, Audie Blaylock and Redline, and The Crowe Brothers; along with a few special guests: Carl Jackson, Mark Newton, Brand New Strings, and marvelously emceed by popular Sirius-XM radio personality Kyle Cantrell.

“It was an inspired—magical, day of music at Graves Mountain when these songs were recorded….In this idyllic setting, it seemed that all the elements were in place for a perfect bluegrass experience, and that’s exactly what we all had. I was honored to have gotten to participate.”
– Kyle Cantrell, Sirius-XM Satellite Radio

This album contains those very special times throughout the day where the artists performed in an All-Star ensemble to create one-of-a-kind performances never before heard live or in the studio. THE ALL-STAR JAM – LIVE AT GRAVES MOUNTAIN is a special commemorative album celebrating Bluegrass music and family traditions which have been passed down through many generations and still hold an important meaning in our lives today.

“It was a great day of music and camaraderie and I believe the songs contained on this CD have captured some very special moments that took place on stage between the artists and the fans and between the artists themselves!”
- RUSSELL MOORE

“It was like a homecoming with our fellow Rural Rhythm artists that we’ll always remember.”
- SAMMY SHELOR

“… I hope you enjoy the songs that Rural Rhythm artists have scrambled together in different configurations for a once in a lifetime event.”
- LOU REID

“It has been an honor to be a part of something so magical. Just to share the stage with so many wonderful and talented people was a dream come true for me.”
- CARRIE HASSLER

“…It’s like in the last line in the verse of the song “Graves Mountain Memories” by our brother Carl Jackson says, “Where making friends and keeping people are the words that you live by” That’s what bluegrass music is all about.”
-MARK NEWTON

“When you do something long enough you get to know and see a lot of people, in our case usually in passing, so to have all these people in one place for the day and be able to interact musically is something that doesn’t happen very often, we had a blast!” – AUDIE BLAYLOCK

“We had a great time working with our long time friends Sammy Shelor and Lonesome River Band and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out,” – THE CROWE BROTHERS

Executive Producer: Sam Passamano, Jr.
Producer & Production Coordinator: Mark Newton

TRACKS:
MORE PRETTY GIRLS THAN ONE – The Crowe Brothers with Russell Moore, Sammy Shelor and Mike Hartgrove
HOLD WHATCHA GOT – Lonesome River Band with Audie Blaylock
LONESOME RIVER – Lou Reid & Carolina with Russell Moore
OLD DANGERFIELD – Audie Blaylock & Redline with Wayne Benson
GRAVES MOUNTAIN MEMORIES – Rural Rhythm All-Stars: Carl Jackson, Mark Newton, Audie Blaylock, Lou Reid, Russell Moore, Carrie Hassler, Sammy Shelor, Mike Hartgrove, Wayne Benson
HEAD OVER HEELS – Carrie Hassler with Brand New Strings and special guest Brandon Rickman
ONCE MORE – Audie Blaylock & Redline with special guests Russell Moore and Lou Reid
GROUND SPEED – Rural Rhythm All-Stars: Sammy Shelor, Carl Jackson, Brandon Rickman, Wayne Benson, Mike Hartgrove
HEN I STOP DREAMING – The Crowe Brothers with special guests Russell Moore and Sammy Shelor
GET IN LINE BROTHER – Audie Blaylock & Redline with Russell Moore and Carrie Hassler
HOME SWEET HOME – Rural Rhythm All-Stars: Sammy Shelor, Carl Jackson, Brandon Rickman,Wayne Benson, Mike Hartgrove
ROLL IN MY SWEET BABY’S ARMS – Lonesome River Band with special guests Josh Crowe and Wayne Crow

LABEL: RURAL RHYTHM RECORDS
ARTIST: VARIOUS ARTIST
TITLE: THE ALL-STAR JAM - Live at Graves Mountain
FORMAT: CD
CD NUMBER: RUR-1073
LIST PRICE: $15.98
UPC: 7-3235-11073-2-8



RECORD LABEL:
Rural Rhythm Records
Radio Contact: Sammy Passamano, III Email

RADIO - AIRPLAY DIRECT

I can't Wait to hear this one!!!

"Dogwood Winter" - Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford - A Review

Steve Gulley of Grasstowne and Tim Stafford of Blue Highway have put together one of the best all around recordings that I have heard in a while. Between the two, they have put together a a really well produced singer-songwriter style bluegrass set. The songs are more than chords and words. They are like portraits in music with a message or glorious picture. Dale Ann Bradley adds to the harmony vocals at times.

From "Why Ask Why?" to "Sixteen Cents", this collection of songs will hold you glued to your stereo, a very warm and encouraging album that is a real masterpiece in my opinion.

Gulley and Stafford are so natural together, their harmonies just set the words to life. Produced by Steve and Tim, it is a beautiful, almost audiophile recording, not overdone, but it is a real good sound that fits the mood and emotion they are trying to get across. The artwork is very noteworthy, as with Winter being the theme of a couple of songs, there are some great snowscapes. I thought that I'd picked up some James Taylor influences on a couple of songs. Each song has some notes by the writers , and I caught this time around, that Tim likes James Taylor and He was in their minds when they did "Torches".

This disc crosses lots of acoustic genres, it's not a full blown bluegrass kicker, but more of a mellow singer-songwriter type of bluegrass with definitely that High Lonesome sound firmly in mind. Their hidden sense of humour in some of the songs is a jewel. Open your mind and I can't see how you won't walk away with a lightened load and a smile on your face. Sometimes a record just has it, though you can't really say what it is, this CD has it, so I highly recommend, that you go somewhere on the web and sample it , and I'd love to hear what you think.

www.RuralRhythm.com

The Bluegrass Top 10. My favorites and What to look for!!

Well, My two favorite bluegrass CDs are doing well, "Still Learning" by The Lonesome River Band and also "The Famous Lefty FLynn's" by the Grascals.Both are very well done bluegrass Cds with a taste of variety. Both have broken in to the Billboard Bluegrass top ten.

What's next? Well, I am anxiously awaiting the release of Mountain Heart's new CD , which is rather an EP, just 7 songs. I have heard early rough recording of three of the songs and it sounds great. Also, am awaiting the release in the fall of Rural Rhythmn 50 year celebration at Graves Mountain, with most of their Artists taking place there.

"Ghost Train, (The Studio B Sessions) - A review

Coming this month, is one of the most classic country recordings that I have heard in a while, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives are just as good as a bluegrass band or country band. Recorded in historic RCA Studio B, The disc even has that info encoded. The title track "Ghost Train For-Oh -Ten" has that country train song vibe to it. Kenny Vaughn plays some great electric guitar riffs that are quick, focused and make you want to dance.

"Hard Working Man" (Marty Stuart) is a slow country ballad that talk about the plight of the hard working man. Excellent vocals and great old-timey pedal steel by Ralph Mooney. Good solo by Vaughan. BTW, the rest of the Superlatives are Harry Stinson on drums and Paul Martin on Bass. Four different pedal steel players are used, Ralph Mooney,Kayton Roberts,Gary Carter, and Robby Turner. There are some sparse strings in the background. Ralph Mooney plays a solo of his "Crazy Arms" on pedal steel after being asked by Marty. He really nails the song. "Porter Wagoners Grave" is a classic country talk song that Stuart does a very emotive job at performing, while the band plays quietly in the background. If Marty Stuart is not one of the fine voices of country today, no one is, this song never fails to touch me. The he goes into a melody after the talk part. This is a very touching song.

After this song the band goes into a little Bakersfield sound, 'Little Heartbreaker" , which has some great lyrics, raw guitar pickin', this is good, picture Dwight Yoacum with someone else singing and Vaughn goes into some more great guitar work, minced with pedal steel.

For an ending, they go acoustic and play a bluegrass jam with mandolin, mostly ripping off thru a melody. As the disc starts with a very country rocker "Branded" which has lots of electric guitar , some great country hooks, and more pedal steel. This band rocks, sounding a bit like Radney Foster. My favorite song is "Country Boy Rock and Roll" - Kenny Vaughan plays some of the hottest guitar playing that I ever heard, He plays right along with the melody of the song and goes plain nuts at end.(Whew) The cover is retro back and white of a train comin' a you. This is Marty at his best.

www.martystuart.net

The Grascals' "The Famous Lefty Flynn" Tops Bluegrass Charts

The Grascals' THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S Tops Bluegrass Charts
New Video Goes Viral; Upcoming Shows Include Opry On August 13 & KY State Fair (With The Oak Ridge Boys) On August 22
Nashville, TN (August 6, 2010) -- IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals, have the # 1 CD on both the Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Music Profiles Charts this month. Heralded as "one of the best bluegrass albums anyone is likely to hear in 2010" by Roughstock.com, THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S is bringing the spotlight to bear on Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge, Danny Roberts, Terry Smith and newest members, Jeremy Abshire and Kristin Scott Benson. "It's a thrill to be recognized for your hard work," says group co-founder Johnson of the dual number ones. The Grascals received the good news just after returning from their first tour of France.
The disc has already spawned a hit single, "Last Train To Clarksville," which currently sits at #4 on the BMP Chart and #15 on the BU Chart. The CD's title track moves to #18 (BMP) and #22 (BU). Additionally, "Train" is one of Sirius XM BLUEGRASS JUNCTION's MOST-PLAYED TRACKS with 52 spins, while the disc hits the show's MOST-PLAYED ALBUMS Chart's Top 5 this week with 135 spins.
Meanwhile, the sextet's "Last Train To Clarksville" video goes viral; appearing on over 200 country and bluegrass industry websites, while simultaneously spreading to social networking sites such as
YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIY_Aluk1hs),Twitter and Facebook. The music clip premiered on AOL/The Boot the week of July 19, making it the first bluegrass artist video ever debuted on the site.

The Grascals, sponsored by MOBIL DELVAC, tour over 140 dates a year, and will perform at The Grand Ole Opry on August 13 and at the Kentucky State Fair with The Oak Ridge Boys on August 22. They continue to grace festivals across the U.S. this summer and Fall and, in October, they'll re-join Hank Williams, Jr. for additional Rowdy Friends Tour dates.
Catch up with The Grascals online at www.grascals.com.



MEDIA CONTACT:
Martha E. Moore
so much MOORE media - Established in 1988!
(O) 615.746.3994 / (M) 615.202.1313

somuchmoore@charter.net
http://www.somuchmoore.com
MySpace, Linked In & Facebook
Twitter: @skates23

Husband and Wife Duo Joey+Rory Release Album Number Two

HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO JOEY+RORY RELEASE
ALBUM NUMBER TWO
(Click Here To Listen to the title cut)

“This Song’s For You” the New Single Collaboration with Zac Brown Band
is Anthem to Country Music Fans (Click Here To Listen)

Nashville, TN – (August 4, 2010) --

“...We've sold a lot of our first record and we even had a hit, but now the big wigs back in Nashville say we need to kick it up a bit...”

And that's just what Joey+Rory do on their boldly titled sophomore release,
Album Number Two (in stores September 14). It's the follow-up to their successful debut album The Life of a Song - an album that entered the Billboard Country Album Chart at #10 and quickly spawned a Top 30 hit earning the husband & wife act the 2010 ACM Award for New Duo as well as several industry and fan-voted award nominations.

When you see the husband & wife duo you don't need to be told that what they have is genuine. Just listen to their music or listen to them talk and you can tell that what they have is the real-deal, …not just as a musical duo, but as a couple. The deep connection they have doesn't just shine through their music, it’s the reason their music shines.

The new album draws from the same deep well that inspired that debut and which now delves deeper into the stories of Joey+Rory’s everyday life together and the things that make them laugh, cry and love each other as they do. The new material featured on Album Number Two is largely co-written by Rory, an award-winning hit songwriter in his own right. In this new set, the couple continues the theme of keeping their music honest, just as much as keeping it real, without taking themselves too seriously.

“...Our new image consultant, says we need a fresh hairdo...as if that's gonna make-or-break Album Number Two...”

One of many shining moments on Album Number Two is the final track and lead single, written by Rory and Zac Brown titled “This Song’s For You.” The song, featuring the Zac Brown Band and produced by Keith Stegall, is a working man’s anthem and a tip of the hat to country music fans and concert-goers. It was written by Rory and Zac on the road and was first introduced on the “Breaking Southern Ground” tour. The overwhelming response prompted a halt to the release of the already completed Joey+Rory album until the song was recorded and added.

“We worked it up with Zac in rehearsals for the spring tour as something to do in the encore,” says Rory. “But the response to the first time we sang it on stage took our breath away. It still does. It's not just for the fans...it's for all the people out there who work hard for a living, are barely getting by, and who truly love this country even though it ain't perfect.”

A video for the single was recently shot in Joey+Rory’s community near their farm in Pottsville, TN with a cast of nearly 60 everyday folks who live there. Scheduled for release mid-August, the video was directed by Darren Doane who also directed Zac Brown Band’s live DVD and last three videos.

Other cuts led primarily by Joey’s honey-laden vocals cover all the bases from their signature tongue-in-cheek style of the title cut to “That’s Important To Me,” a song that encapsulates the down-to-earth values that define Joey+Rory both as a couple and a duo alike. There are songs about love (“Born To Be Your Woman”), about cheating (“God Help My Man”), and about faith (“Where Jesus Is”). Songs about cowboys (“All You Need Is Me”), horses (“The Horse Nobody Could Ride”), and even one about being famous (“Farm To Fame”).

"We just want to be who we are, nothing more and nothing less," says Joey, "and sometimes that means speaking our minds." Rory adds, "Our plan for this new record is the same as it’s always been - to show up, do what we do and hope that magic happens.”

“...Now you might think we're crazy, but is it really all that hard...just cut some songs that move you, and sing 'em from the heart. But if we are mistaken...and our career is through. We'll bid our fans a fine farewell with Album Number Two.”

# # #

First Radio Single by Blue Moon Rising

"STRANGE NEW WORLD" Album by Blue Moon Rising
Rural Rhythm Launches First Radio Single Release
Listen to a clip of "Time To Be Movin' On"


Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the first radio single release, “Time To Be Movin' On” from the highly anticipated new album, “STRANGE NEW WORLD” by BLUE MOON RISING. The single was released to radio via the label's "Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks, #8" and is also available now via AIRPLAY DIRECT. "Time To Be Movin' On" was written by band leader and acclaimed songwriter, Chris West who describes the song as kicking off with a little Johnny Cash / Del Reeves and will surely please BMR fans once again. Chris also contributes his powerful signature vocals and guitar, along with the exciting new line up of: Brandon Bostic (mandolin, vocals); Tony Mowell (bass and vocals); Owen Piatt (banjo); with special guests, Tim Crouch (fiddle) and Randy Kohrs (Dobro).

“STRANGE NEW WORLD” is Blue Moon Rising’s fifth career album and their first recording on Rural Rhythm Records. The project combines a very eclectic mix of new original material with West contributing 7 of the 13 tracks. Other writers include: Mike Dekle, Kevin Denney, Becky Buller, Jon Weisberger/Jeremy Garrett and Clint Wilson.

The songs on “STRANGE NEW WORLD” certainly showcase Blue Moon Rising’s range, versatility and maturity as it continually shifts between hard-core traditional bluegrass, blues, gospel, country and singer-songwriter influenced music. If one could paint a picture that captures the subjects and themes from songs like the peppy honky-tonk influenced kick-off track, “Time To Be Movin' On,” the soulful blues influenced, “He’s All Around Us” and the haunting and beautiful Kevin Denney original, “My Sitting Window” the painting would represent a “STRANGE NEW WORLD” indeed!

With that imagery in mind, Chris West enlisted the help of his artist friend, Jason Jones, who created the album artwork for the band’s previous album, “ONE LONELY SHADOW.” Chris explains, “I asked Jason to create a very artsy vision of a strange new world where things aren't quite right in comparison to the world we live in. I wanted every single image on the CD to tie in directly with a song in some way. I wrote a blues song about temptation and the struggle between good and evil on this project called ‘He's All Around Us’, hence the transparent devil behind the tree on the cover. There's a love song on the CD called ‘Stone by Stone’ for a girl named Jenny where the lovelorn singer says ‘My Jenny belongs in an Ivory Tower.’ So Jason made the tower the centerpiece on the cover. We also married several songs together within the art. I wrote song on the CD called ‘Hard Luck Joe’ about a homeless man who used to have a much better life. If you'll notice the tree on the cover, there's a heart carved in it that says ‘Joe -n- Jenny’ where we've married the songs ‘Hard Luck Joe’ and ‘Stone by Stone.’ When you give the CD a thorough listen, you'll be able to go back and look at this great piece of art and know what every single image is about."

BLUE MOON RISING is sponsored by GHS Strings, Blue Chip Picks, and Chota Outfitters. For information on the new album, tour schedule and more, please visit www.bluemoonrisingband.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

RECORD LABEL AND RADIO CONTACT
Rural Rhythm Records
Sammy Passamano, III

BOOKING CONTACT:
Graham Talent Group
Randy Graham
859-421-7718

BLUE MOON RISING
Chris West | Email
www.BlueMoonRisingBand.com

MEDIA and Additional BOOKING CONTACT:
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel | Email
678-377-3298

Rural Rhythm Records Announces New Darrell Webb Band Album

Rural Rhythm Records Announces New Darrell Webb Band Album
"BLOODLINE" Available July 13, 2010

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Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the July 13 release of “BLOODLINE”, the debut album by The Darrell Webb Band. Darrell is very excited about the new release saying, “This is my favorite album I’ve ever recorded.” The band has been chosen as an official International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Showcase Artist at this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass held at the Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN where they will be performing songs from the new album.

When you hear the first notes of Merle Haggards’s “I’m Bringin’ Home Good News,” you are going to realize that you better fasten your seat belt. The musicians on “BLOODLINE” are the same musicians you will hear live with the exception of Mountain Heart fiddler, Jim VanCleve. The album showcases the distinctive high tenor vocals and mandolin talents of Darrell Webb who also gives his band plenty of room to shine. "BLOODLINE" is highlighted by the talents of: Chris Wade (banjo), Asa Gravley (guitar), Jeremy Arrowood (bass), and Tyler Kirkpatrick (Dobro).

Featured tracks include the new single release “Poor Ramblin’ Boy”, "Bloodline", and Jimbo Whaley’s incredible biographical tune, “Kings of Orebank”, plus many more songs that are sure to please bluegrass music fans.

Darrell Webb has been an integral part of many great bluegrass groups during the last 20 years having worked with fellow Rural Rhythm recording artist, The Lonesome River Band when he was only 19 years old… to J. D. Crowe & The New South, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.

"BLOODLINE" is now available at AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, the band's website, and other fine outlets.

For more information on The Darrell Webb Band, please visit: www.darrellwebbband.com
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Ricochet signs with Cody Entertainment for Booking

Ricochet Signs With Cody Entertainment For Booking


Nashville, TN (June 29, 2010) – The members of the award winning vocal group Ricochet have signed with Cody Entertainment for exclusive booking. The band’s responsible agent will be the firm’s president, Phil Smallwoood.

In 1995 the members of Ricochet signed with Columbia Records (later Sony Music) and in 1996 vaulted to the top with their sophomore single, “Daddy’s Money”. More albums and hit singles followed until the band parted ways with their label. But the live shows all over the globe continued. Attesting to their popularity as a concert attraction, in 2004 the group released The Live Album, which included another of their signature tunes as a stage act – the Steve Young-penned classic “Seven Bridges Road”, which has also been covered by the Eagles, Dolly Parton, and Alan Jackson, to name just a few.

Then in 2009 the group released Ricochet Reloaded giving their fans new music from the band, and also treating them to technologically advanced - but faithful - re-recordings of the songs that catapulted the group into the record books. Throughout it all Ricochet continues to tour relentlessly, performing shows across the United States and in numerous foreign countries, logging thousands of miles on the road each year.

About Cody Entertainment
Founded 34 years ago in Winchester, VA Cody Entertainment has provided entertainment, full production services and staging for fairs, festivals and events throughout the United States.


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Contacts For Cody Entertainment
Cody Entertainment
Phil Smallwood
540-772-4625 - office
phil@codyentertainment.com

Contacts For Ricochet
Thompson Entertainment Group
Chuck Thompson
615-742-8004 - office
cthompson@thompsonentertainmentgroup.com

Mark Hybner Management
Mark Hybner
361-772-5678 - office
mhybner@hybnerent.com



1300 Division Street, Ste 105
Nashville, TN 37203
615-742-8004
media@thompsonentertainmentgroup.com
www.thompsonentertainmentgroup.com

New Country Single by Mason Douglas

New Country Single Release by Mason Douglas
Rural Rhythm Records Launches Country Arm of Label



Nashville, TN (Tuesday, June 15, 2010) Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the first single release, “Anything Can Happen” by country music entertainer, Mason Douglas. This original song is from his upcoming July 27, 2010 album, “MY WILD HEART.” This will be the first country album release by Rural Rhythm Records who also launched their new country music arm of the label including a brand new website at: www.ruralrhythmcountry.com

Popular radio host, “Big D and Bubba” have been spinning Mason’s music for years and were thrilled to bring him into their studio recently to record an interview and play his new single, “Anything Can Happen.” Big D and Bubba’s syndicated radio show can be heard in Nashville and throughout the country.

“Putting everything you love back into country music” is what singer/songwriter Mason Douglas set out to do on this debut album. Mason’s fans have become addicted to his distinguished diversity, some saying he sounds like Chris Isaak with his signature, sexy falsettos; some saying Garth Brooks with his honesty and range; and other even saying he’s country music’s Rob Thomas. Look for a feature article on Mason in the June/July 2010 issue of the Country Music Association’s CMA Close-Up Magazine.

The single, “Anything Can Happen” is available for purchase now via iTunes, Amazon.com and other digital retailers with album pre-ordering also available.

Radio is being serviced via DMDS and AirplayDirect.com:

- More info on DMDS: YANGAROO's patented Digital Media Distribution System (DMDS) is a leading secure B2B digital delivery solution for the music and advertising industries. DMDS is a Web-based delivery system that pioneers secure digital file distribution by incorporating biometrics, high-value encryption and watermarking. DMDS replaces the physical distribution of audio and video content for music, music videos, and advertising to television, radio, media, retailers, award shows and other authorized recipients with more accountable, effective, and far less costly digital delivery of broadcast quality media via the Internet.

- More info on AIRPLAY DIRECT: AirPlay Direct is a digital delivery system developed for artists, radio programmers and music industry professionals sending secure broadcast quality music and digital press kits to radio stations, booking agents, promoters and music supervisors worldwide.

Mason Douglas is currently on tour including upcoming performances in Boise-ID, Portland-OR, Los Angeles-CA, Tucson-AZ, Newnan-GA, Chattanooga-TN and more. For more information on Mason Douglas please visit www.masondouglasmusic.com.

Media inquiries including high res photos and available at: http://www.hoperiverentertainment.com/masondouglas.htm

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RECORD LABEL: Rural Rhythm Records
Radio Contact: Sammy Passamano, III Email

RADIO - AIRPLAY DIRECT

MEDIA CONTACT: Hope River Entertainment

Cover Art and photo by: Anthony Ladd, KneelinDesign

The Grascals Invite Country Radio to Hop Aboard !!!

The Grascals Invite Country Radio To Hop Aboard "Last Train To Clarksville"
Group Gives MONKEES 1966 Hit A Country/Bluegrass Twist

Nashville, TN (June 15, 2010) --Two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals (www.grascals.com), invite country radio to jump on board their latest release, "Last Train To Clarksville." Delivered to programmers via CDX Vol. 501, the single is a proven winner; the driving up-tempo song was a smash for The Monkees in 1966. On the new version, three-part harmonies (Eldredge, Johnson, Smith) run throughout the track - setting this outing apart- and creating a literal "wall of sound." The Grascals juice things up with Kristin Scott Benson's ripping banjo and Jeremy Abshire's amazing fiddle work. Terry Eldredge keeps the track moving with lightning-fast guitar work, while Terry Smith (bass) and Danny Roberts (mandolin) round out the group's signature sound. "We all were familiar with this song, and it was a blast to record," says Johnson. "We put a little grass and a little bit of country in it." "Last Train To Clarksville" is from their newest disc, the critically-acclaimed THE FAMOUS LEFT FLYNN'S (Rounder).
Pre-production is underway for a video to accompany the new release, and filming on the project begins later this month. The single is already attracting a legion of devoted bluegrass fans, debuting at #20 on the Bluegrass Music Profiles Chart, while THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S enters at #4.
"Last Train To Clarksville" is only the third single that the group has released to country radio. The hugely-popular "Viva Las Vegas" (with special guest Dolly Parton) debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top Country Singles Sales Chart in 2004 and spent over a year in the Top 10.
RADIO: "Last Train To Clarksville" can also be downloaded directly from www.airplaydirect.com/thegrascals