Roys Start new CD with #2 Ranking on Billboard Bluegrass

THE ROYS' NEW DAY DAWNING Debuts On
 Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart At Number 2
 

 
 
Nashville, TN (September 5, 2012) - THE ROYS' sophomore Rural Rhythm Records' disc, NEW DAY DAWNING, debuts at Number 2 on Billboard's Bluegrass Albums Chart.
 
NEW DAY DAWNING is a seven-song EP (a first for a Bluegrass artist) that finds the siblings in fine form.  Their impressive traditional-style vocals ride high over progressive musicianship, keeping the duo's sound fresh and energizing. Their songwriting talents are truly remarkable, and the disc's first single release, "Still Standing," written by Lee and Elaine is already proving to be another "winner."  Other highlights include the live-show favorite "Grandpa's Barn," the heartbreaking "Daddy To Me," the moving "Windin' Roads" and the hypnotic "Fast As We Roll."
Reviewers are hailing NEW DAY DAWNING, saying:
 
"The album showcases Lee and Elaine's smooth, enjoyable brand of modern, Country-influenced Bluegrass." - BLUEGRASS TODAY
 
"If you are new to the magic of family harmony in Bluegrass, start with THE ROYS.  If, on the other hand, you are steeped in the Louvins, the Stanleys and the Osbornes ... when you first hear NEW DAY DAWNING your reaction will be 'Yeah man, that's it right there! Don't change that channel.'" - WORLDWIDE BLUEGRASS
 
"On their new studio album, NEW DAY DAWNING, the brother/sister duo continues to blend an uplifting message with a traditional sound and sibling harmonies as they take time to reflect on their own roots." - GAC
 
"There's not a weak song on the album." - BLUEGRASS NOTES
 
In case you missed these features and reviews, click on BILLBOARD, GAC, ROUGHSTOCK, Examiner.com, ParcBench and NO DEPRESSION.
 
In addition to glowing reviews, the EP is drawing high numbers in the Social Media world.  During a Twitter chat on August 28 with Jessica Northey of #CMChat, over 25 million impressions and a reach of 1 million were tallied. "Great numbers for a special Tuesday chat with THE ROYS," notes Northey.  "It was wonderful to have Elaine and Lee as guests on #CMchat!  They are both so talented.  I loved hearing their personal stories and delving deeper into the Bluegrass genre."  Lee and Elaine's Facebook pages and Twitter accounts have also enjoyed high levels of activity since the EP's release was announced.
 
The brother/sister duo's first Rural Rhythm release, LONESOME WHISTLE, debuted at Number 7 on the same chart and ended up with a spot on BILLBOARD Top 50 Bluegrass Albums of 2011 chart.  That CD also generated two hit singles: "Coal Minin' Man" and "Trailblazer."
 
Fans can follow THE ROYS online at THEROYSonline.com, Facebook and on Twitter @theroysonline.
 
BOOKING
Moonstruck Management
Josh Trivett
626-893-5216
email
 
 
Media Contact for The Roys:
Martha E. Moore 615-746-3994
 so much MOORE media
somuchmoore@charter.net


Rural Rhythm Records:
615-470-5451
Facebook
Twitter
 
Media:
 Penni McDaniel, email
678-377-3298
Radio:
 Rick Rowler, email
615-470-5451
NEW DAY DAWNING available to RADIO now at AirplayDirect.com
 
Album Photography and Graphic Design by:
 Anthony Ladd, Kneelindesign
 HIGH RES pic  here
HIGH RES cover art of NEW DAY DAWNING here.

 

The Wampler Ego Compressor Pedal - A Review

I have had 3 versions of this pedal by Brian Wampler. It is based on his design ,building a compressor for himself years ago, though he has tweaked the design. Very versatile,this compressor has 5 knobs to adjust your compression from full blown chicken pickin' to a much more subtle compression or to a separate clean boost channel.
    It is not parallel compression ,like The Barber Tone Press, It is more like 2 pedals in one, a clean boost and a Ross like compressor. Wampler uses only top grade parts in his compressor, and it is a very well built pedal. The blend knob gives you the choice of how much of each channel you want to use, boost or compression. The attack knob goes into action when the pedal has the blend knob on compression only, Honestly I have not found a setting of this compressor that I do not like. There is included in the compressor box, a very complete set of instructions.
    Finally, Wampler has a tone knob which can give you some bass to treble changes, going to clockwise. This was a request of customers, not the tone knob, it has been there, some customers wanted it's action to change in how it interacts with tone and presence and it is a little different than just a plain tone knob. All in all, it is a very good product at a fair price. I truly love it myself ,recently I turned on one of Philly's best guitarists, Jim Fogarty to it and He said it took his Pedalworx Squeeze Factor off his pedal board for the Wampler.  Listen to Brian's Demo on his website.                   www.wamplerpedals.com

Some Music News

Well, Hello Folks, hope everyone is doing well and has good health.  Just going to catch up on a couple of new music items,that I have come across recently. The first one is on my CD player right now. It is a new CD by the Group called The Boxcars. They are a form of a bluegrass supergroup with Adam Steffey and Ron Stewart who play mandolin and banjo respectively. They had been in Dan Tyminski's Band while AKUS was on sabbatical and Alison Krauss was singing with Robert Plant. They had enjoyed playing together with the others in the Band ,backing up Dan Tyminski.
   The CD is called "All In" and it has a very traditional type sound. Some great high lonesome harmonies and Bluegrass music. There are some really nice gospel songs too.

    Next up is the latest guitar effect pedal from Wampler's Pedals. He has a line of at least 15 pedals before this. His pedals are used by artists like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Johnny Hiland and me(LOL). This pedal has created alot of interest and attention on the internet and amongst guitarists. Brian Wampler has been working on this pedal for about a year. It is made to approximate the sound of the late 50s tweed amps made by Fender.  It is called the "Tweed 57", and it does give you that vibe, but more than that, the pedal is a great overdrive pedal on it's own merit.There are several tones and drive effects that you can do using this pedal besides just giving an imitation of the Fender Tweed amp. You can get sounds from ZZ Top to Joe Walsh to some incredible blues tones. A feature that I really like is you can clean up the tone with the guitar volume knobs. You can hear many videos of the pedal on youtube, by doing a search or just going to Brian's new website www.wamplerpedals.com .  I am happy for Brian, He has been doing this for a number of years and I am happy that his pedals are catching on very well. He also does a video himself which is very interesting, because He is a very skilled guitarist, He really brings out the sweet spots on the pedal and the type of songs that it sounds well with.

   Very happy to report that Carrie Hassler has made the Billboard Bluegrass Chart with the song "The Distance" from her latest CD. Well, hope to have some more for you soon. I do have a new CD just in.

                               Brian Wampler