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ReleasingOnTheRoad
Releasing anewsingle can be a challengingprocessdespitethe excitement of getting a new song to the world. Added to that challenge;being on the road in another country, on another continent, in a time zone six hours ahead. As I have explained before, I am not on a big label with people to take care ofarelease. Iamon asmall, indie label, Northwind Records, that Amy (my wife) owns and manages, and we do our own work. Let me run you though how we made this work on ourlatest single release, “Just Our Price to Pay.”
Havingfinishedwritingthe song,Iwas pretty excited because, I reallybelieve in itandit’smessage. It is different for me, butafter meetingwith mylabel (Amy) to discuss how we’dlike to presentthe song, we decided we needed to release it. The timing was critical as it relates to the current political situation in the USA.Asit happened, our flights to France were delayed by two weeks, which opened up two days to track the tune. I called my go-to engineer/producer in Nashville, Andrew Piland, and explained the time crunch, sent him a quickdemo,andhe graciouslyopened up the days we had to track.
best studio headset with me and three different pairs of earbuds to listen to the different mix versions. This is really NOTthe way to go at it. But Idid not have a trusted listening environment in France. I did have a long and trustingrelationship withAndrew, and could trust hisears and expertise, and that he would get the sound he knew we were after. After two weeks, we had a mix we all approved.
Next was mastering. For this we sent the track to Jeff Carroll at Bluefield Mastering in North Carolina. Again, as a team, we approved the third master. We were now four weeks past
CONTRIBUTORS
Ed Tutwiler
WayneErbsen
Donna Ulisse
MikeAiken
Andrew McKnight
Dan Walsh
Rebecca Frazier DISTRIBUTION
We quickly made arrangements, flew to Nashville,andwentstraightinto the studio. We had already arranged for the drum track from one of my favorite studio drummers, so that was already completed. After two long days in the studio, we had all the trackswe needed.Allthe instruments; all the vocals; more than we would use; but that’s how I prefer to track. That way, you always have what you need in case the mix takes on a different direction than you initially thought.Manyideasneversee thelight of day but you still have them.
Three days later, we were in the air, on our way to France. I brought my
writing the song. Being pleased with our results so far, I sent the song to mytrustedpublicist,ClifDoyal(CDA Nashville), for his honest opinionshould we invest the time and money for a proper release?Clif is a straight shooter and is always honest with his opinions. He came back very positively, believing in the message and urgency of the release. But he said we needed a video to go with … uh oh!How are we going to pull that off from a canal barge in France? We decided a lyric video would serve the song the best. This is a politicallycharged song with an activist’s messageinthetraditionofWoodyGuthrie, Pete Seeger, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, etc., and as such it did not call for my face in the video, but for the imagesand lyrics to reinforce the message.
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The Legacy Of JimAnd Jesse
Over the years, we have featured stories about several successful brother duet acts in the early years of the genre of country music that we now commonly refer to as bluegrass. Sometimes these stories had less than happy elements to them as the subjects wrestledwith personal demons intheir private lives that affected their professional success. Such wasnot the case of Jim andJesse McReynolds who we profile for you this time.
Jim and Jesse McReynolds enjoyed the longest active professional brother duet in country music history, at 55 years. Their success as musical partners was never marred with distrust or personal failures and lasted uninterrupted (only separated as musical partnersbymilitaryservice anddeath).JimandJesse performedtogether,composedtogether,marriedsisters and lived in adjoining residences in Gallatin, TN—a remarkable feat.
Born and Raised in Virginia
Jim and Jesse were born and raised in the small community of Carfax in the Clinch Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Carfax is just a few miles from Coeburn, VA (and if that village name seems familiar, it is the hometown of the Stanley Brothers). Jim McReynolds was born on February 13, 1927 and Jesse McReynolds soon followed on July 9,1929.
Jim and Jesse McReynolds grew up surrounded by a family of coal miners and farmers who were also accomplished musicians. Their grandfather, Charles McReynolds, wasa fiddler who headed a string band from the 1890s to the 1930s and recorded for RCA during the Bristol Sessions of 1927. Their father, Claude, was also a fiddler but he performed with his guitar along with his banjo-playing brothers in Charles McReynolds string band. Their mother, Savannah, played banjo and harmonica and sang ballads and gospel songs. She loved the sound of vocal harmony and taught Jim and Jesse that skill. Critics state that their harmony was exceptional and held richness that some say only siblings can produce. Jim’s enhanced high tenor combined with Jesse’s deepleadsetthemapartfromtheirpeersinthe world oftraditionalmusic.
Bythe early 1940s,Jim andJesse McReynoldswere playing mandolin and guitar and singing together. After winning a talent contest, they began performingpublicly. UponJim’sreturnfrommilitaryservice in 1947 and Jesse graduating from high school, the brothers formed a string music group and obtained a gig to play a 15-minute daily program on a noontime radio show in Norton, VA. They billed themselves as the McReynolds Brothers and the Cumberland Mountain Boys. With fiddle, mandolin, guitarandbass,theyplayedastyle ofmountainmusic influenced by the new sounds being made by Bill
By Edward Tutwiler
Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and their neighbors the Stanley Brothers.
Very early in their career, Jesse developed a style ofmandolinplaying(laterknownasthe McReynolds style). This style combined Jesse’s invention of cross-pickingandsplit-stringplaying.The cross-picking added a syncopated effect similar to that of Scruggs-stylebanjoplaying.Hissplit-stringtechnique had the little finger fretting only one of a double course of strings. Few players could duplicate this McReynolds style of play.
Over the next 14 years, the brothers migrated to more than a dozen radio stations in at least 10 states adding a banjo whenever they could get a threefinger five-stringbanjo player.In 1952,the brothers signed a contract with Capitol Records and changed the name of their act to Jim & Jesse and the Vir-
Jim and Jesse Cont.
ginia Boys. Their career was interrupted by Jesse’s service in the Korean Warfrom1952to 1954.
Sponsored By Martha White
Duringthe1950sand 1960s most of their live weeklyradio and television showsthroughoutthesoutheast,were sponsored by Martha White Mills. Thiscompany alsosponsored aportion ofThe Grand Ole Opry,and invited Jim and Jesse as their guest hosts. This led to Jim and Jesse beinginvitedtobecomemembers in the OpryonMarch2,1964.Thisbecame their big break and led to a lifelong career with the Opry. From there, they issued recordingson variousrecordinglabelsand performed widely in theUnitedStates and abroad.
JimMcReynolds,knownforhiswarm personalityandstrongbusinesssense, oftenhandledthegroup’slogisticsand bookings.Jesse wasquieterandmore introspective andremained the musicalinnovator forthe group. Jim possessed a broad musical awareness that kept the group relevant through
changingmusicaltimes. While never abandoning bluegrass, the brothers experimented with electric country, Latin,pop,andgospel.Theyrecorded
Newport festivalandon collegecampuses. Finally, when bluegrass festivalsgrewinpopularity, Jimand Jesse dropped electric instruments and drums and returned to their roots.
Fighting The Good Fight
afullalbumofsongsmadefamousby rocker Chuck Berry but backed by acoustic instruments.Duringthefolk music boom, they appeared at the
During their career,JimandJesse have receivednumerous honors, which include induction into the Country Music HallofFame; VirginiaCountryMusic Hallof Fame; IBMA Hall of Honor; and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame. Plus both individually and collectively they have received many Grammy nominations. They also receivedthe NationalHeritage FellowshipAward from the NationalEndowmentfortheArtsonSeptember23, 1997.
Alas, in the year 2002, both Jim and Jesse developedcancer.Jesse’sbattle was successfulbutJim passed away onDecember31,2002.Thus,withhis death, thelongest active professional brother duet incountry music history at 55years came toaclose.After the passing of Jim McReynolds, Jesse continuedtoperformunderthename, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys. He remained an active figure in the bluegrass community untilhis death on June 23, 2023. He was 93 years old.
Jimand JesseMcReynolds left anindelible mark on American music. From the humblebeginnings in rural Virginia to theworld’sbiggest stages, theybroughtsincerity,innovation,and harmonyto everythingtheydid. Their legacy lives onnot just in recordings and awards, butinthe countless musicianstheyinspired.In preservingthe traditions ofbluegrass while pushing its boundaries, Jimand Jesse remain iconswhoseinfluencewillresonatefor generations to come.
A Good Day Indeed
Waking up to a new day has always been like unwrapping a surprise gift. I’m never sure if it will be something I love, or something I’ll be disappointed with. But today’s awakening, well, let me just share it with you …
I woke up thanking my Lord as I usually do, even with a tiny sinus headache that came about during my sleep. Ginger Bread, the pup we inherited from my father, was all joy; nailing me with a sloppy dog kiss and wagging her curly tail; thumping her happiness against the comforter. Her dailycheerfulgreetingishardto resist. Reaching for my phone and comfy robe, the fog in my brain cleared enough to see me down the small hallway in our farmhouse where the
smell of coffee brewing hit me right between my sleepy eyes; heavenly and dreamlike, and intoxicating in its fragrant lure. The coveted chicken mug I love to drink out of was shiny and clean and readyto hold the strong brew I love so much. The sound of the coffee pouring into the cup was like a dandycommercial … and there itwas;thatfirstdelicioussipto launch my day. Even my slight headache couldnotholdoffthe alertsingingout in my soul; today was going to be a good day! Here’s where my conflict comes in. Do I create the good day by sheer will? If my headache had been more pronounced, would the coffee not taste as good, and would my resounding message to the morning have been less joyful and more woeful? Do I dictate how my day will run?
Beinga solidbeliever inthrowing out to the universe whatIhope to receive
back, I’m thinking a more disciplined practice of positive thinking can ward offbadinfluencesona24 hourperiod. Not only did the day literally break to light up the morning, but I had a true dawning on the power of good thoughts because; guess what? It’s been a terrific day so far, and I really did not plan it to be so. Why? Last night I drifted off to sleep with the world on my shoulders. I am desperately trying to finish up recording my newest project, with no clue what songs willcomplete it.Iam also wrestling with a few financial decisions that could make things easier or tip the lifeboat. In addition to those loads, I might have hurt my friend’sfeelings,whichmakesme feel awful. The words I spoke were not in anger, but through concern. However, I probably should have used my two cents worth on some ice cream and not contributing to something that would not improve the situation. So, I spent the falling asleep process rehearsing a heartfelt apology for overstepping,orbetterthanthat,overspeaking. Howin the world didIwake up feeling good? I should have been bogged down with worry, but as I
writethis,Ifeellightasafeather,ready to make those decisionsandapologies, andset my sails into whatever the rest of the day holds.
The lesson in all this rambling;Ineed to spend more time creating my joy by a heart filled with gratitude and a mindfilledwithpossibilities.Iamnot, for one second, trying to convince anyone that bad things can’t happen by thinking only good things. We are not promised any of that, right? But! Yes, Isaid but withlots ofenthusiasm …BUT,we canhelpcreate ourreality into amore positive outcome;eventhe hard parts of life weighing us down can be manipulated. Having just survived a couple of terrible years filled with sharp turns and sorrow, I am telling you, we are so much stronger than we think we are, and so much more in control ofthat strength if we put our thoughts into it. I am goingto give itmybesteffortstogreet each newday with a prayer for peace, with more love for my husband and family,formore soliddecisionmaking, fornourishingbelovedfriendships,for stronger coffee, and for more time with my good dog. How ‘bout YOU?
Donna was the IBMA Songwriter of the year for 2016, And 2017 Song of the Year winner. She was also the 2018 SPBGMA Songwriter of the year.
Amelia Hogan
AmeliaHogancallsCaliforniahome,butyoumight not know it by the music she sings, and the way she sings it. She is a wonderfully authentic singer ofCeltic music,flavored with tonesof Irish,Scottish,British,andAmerican-styledvocals.
She often sings in the Irish music tradition called Sean-Nós, or “old style,” which is a highly lyrical solo, a cappella style,but can also include accompaniment.Ameliaplaysthe bodhran,andasmall22stringWelsh lapharp.
She has toured all over the US, as well as internationally. Her critically acclaimed album from2023, Taking Flight, reached #10, and claimed the #15 Songonthe FolkAllianceInternationalChart for March, 2023.
Amelia said while growing up in the Bay area, her motherwouldtake her alongtohouse partieswhere traditional folk music singers would perform, and those days highlyinfluencedher music.“However, I mostly listened to the kind of singing,” she recalled, “which had more of a traditional English, Irish, Scottish sound to it.”
“Theywould allgatherin a circle anddo songsharing andsinging sessions kindof the way theydo in Ireland, andI’m toldthat it’sreally rare for Americans to have access to that, especially at such a young age, But I did.”
When asked about the kind of approach it takes to write asongthatfeelstraditional,Ameliaoffered,“I thinkthere’saqualityofsimplifyingitandmakingit accessible to a listener. So the subject of it would neverbe ‘me to you,’ratherit’spassive,almostlike I’m watching the thing happen.”
Amelia’s latestalbum is titled, Burnished,and she singsbothtraditionalandcontemporaryfolkmusic with lilting grace and subtlety, reviving songs both oldand new,andgiving themafresh, polishedfeel. Thenew14-trackalbumfeaturesone original,“Rollinginthe Gold”,alongwithanumberoftraditional, public domain songs, and interpretations of songs by contemporary songwriters.
To find out more, visit www.ameliahogan.com
Laura Sawosko
Nashville-based, pianist-singer-songwriter Laura Sawosko has released six albums since launching her solo career. Laura lives a uniquely interesting life though, sharing that she actually resides in two locations. “I am blessed to have two homes,” she said. “In the fall and winter months I live in Nashville, TN, and in the summer months I live in Door Co. WI. It’s often called the Cape Cod of the midwest. I help my family with a seasonal restaurant there. I’ve been doing it my whole life. It makes me kind of feel like a bird, migrating back and forth.”
Laura grew up in Illinois, before going to Arizona State University;afterwards,findingherselfinNashville pursuing a singer-songwriter career. She recalls begging her parents for piano lessons when she was only six. “That started it all for me, but what’s so funny is that no one else in my family plays music at all.” Laura is one of the few who stuck with the piano, and went on to become piano instructor. “Itry to make it fun, so I’m not like your stereo-typical piano teacher,” she quipped.
Laura taught herself to play guitarincollege. When she was in herearly20s,she was diagnosed with vocal chord paralysis.“Ionly hadone functioning vocal chord, so Inever really, truly sang until after the elective surgery to repair the chord damage. Up to that point, I was primarily a pianist,” she said.
Laura was a keyboardist for a band in college before opting to have the vocal chord surgery at age 21.“The doctortoldme Iwouldneversing,butshould try it anyway as a way to strengthen my voice. Here I am, six albums later,” she laughed.
Her latest project, Not What I Do, was released in April,2025.Itisareflectionofherpersonaljourney, and showcases her storytelling process, blending Americanaand countryinfluenceswith unapologetic authenticity.
To find out more, visit www.laurasawosko.com
Ragged Union Bluegrass
The Ragged Union Bluegrass band was formed in 2013 by Geoff Union, who is the primary songwriter, and long-standinglead singer. Their signature brand of contemporary is a hit with progressive grass enthusiasts. The band has released four albums, 2015’s Hard Row to Hoe; 2017’s Time Captain, and Live at Leeds (recorded live at the Seven Arts Theatre in Leeds, England), and 2022’s Round Feet, Chrome Smile. Their latest, Pyramid Stairs, hit the airwaves in late 2024.
Geoff, who grew up in Fayetteville, NC, then relocatedto Colorado toalittle towneastofBolder. He found home inAustin, TX for nearly 20 years, aftercollege before movingout west in 2013 with his wife and new baby. Jeff started with piano lessons as a kid, but recalls, “I hated it. My mom eventually let me quit, but I kept going in music, playing in band in middle-school, and all that kind of stuff.”
Jeff’s first guitar experience was actually the electric bass guitar at age 14. “I was way into the 80s metal stuff like Rush and Iron Maiden. That was super exciting to me as a young bass player. I didn’t start playing the guitar until I was 17 or 18.Ididelectric music into my20sbeforeIstarted hangingout withadifferentcrowd, anddiscovered acoustic music, andmore specifically,bluegrass.”
Geoff played in a nationally touring band from Austin for about 10 years called the, Two High String Band. That dissolved, about the time he and his wife moved to Colorado. “It’s always been a thing I’ve done,” he recalled.
Geoff said Doc Watson was a main entry point into this music for him. “I was into the acoustic style Grateful Dead stuff too – those were the gateway drugs for me in this music.” And you canstillhearthose influenceseventodayinGeoff’s “beyond the normal country” style of music.
To find out more, visit www.raggedunionbluegrass.com
Listen to the expanded interviews by searching Americana Music Profiles on all of your favorite Podcast platforms!
Polished and Well Rehearsed
By Edward Tutwiler
Recently, Ireceived an email from a dear friend and her husband, a music professional with a distinguished teaching career, and who blows a mean saxophone in a rave dance band.Their email told me that they had watched a polished performance by Daily and Vincent and that many of the backing band members were graduates of music schools and seemed well rehearsed and polished. My friends wanted to knowif this is a newtrend or just that band.
My quick reply was no, not a trend but certainly an emerging pattern. Seasoned bluegrass performer, Dave Adkins, filled his latest band with young folks who hadjust graduatedfromEast Tennessee State University’s bluegrass studies program. (as an aside, Dave recently told me that these pickers were so young that they called him “Daddykins”). Also, up and coming bluegrass recording and touring star, Becky Buller is an esteemed alumni of that same school. These are just quickmentions as there aremany more.
Of course, there are just as many established groups who do not follow this pattern. Some followers of this genre of music say, however,that theseschool-trained kids are goodmusicallybut sometimes show no soul because they arenot raisedin themountaintraditions. While this could be possible, someone with no heart for the music will not be long in it.
My friend replied that some years ago shetaught adult education at night andthere was a man in her class who never went to school and did not read or write. During a class break he told her that he played guitar and that he would sit around with others and make music. He gave her a cassette recording of their playing and here are her words: “When I listento thesesongs, Ithinkabout how it was ALL oral tradition becausehe didnot reador write,did not read music, but memorized everything.”
I countered to them with this statement. Your old student, even though he played by ear and not perfectly, put heart and soul into his music. Several years ago at Gathlinburg, TN, I encountered a group of young adults on an outdoor stage. They were obviously local folks but nevertheless great–very polished; doing some old stuff and some self generated stuff as well. I asked them where they learned to play so well fully expecting them to tell me the school they attended and was taken aback when they told me that they wereself taught by their Daddies and Uncles.
Now,these youngTennessee born and bred folks were maybe achieving their professional pinnacle that summer playing for tourists but I could feel the love and the soul that they were sending—no formal music schooling; just players mentored and coachedaround a kitchen tableor a camp fire. Somewant to say the modern string music is missing that raw, authentic touch that we encountered; however, schooled kids try to do it perfect and do it so well. While they play it by the book and not often by living the tough life that put soul in songs, they would not be spending time and money to study an art-form that has few professional perks were it not for the love and deep feelings that this art-form gives to them.
As a way to expand on the subject, know that there are several institutions that offer dedicated programs for studying bluegrass, old-time, and roots music. I did a story a fewyears back about East Tennessee State University parts of which might be worth visiting again. East Tennessee State University is a well-known leader in this field, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies, and also offers a minor in the same program that can be tacked onto another major.
continued on page 10
Continued from page 9
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is locatedin Johnson City, TN, has been in operation since 1911. It has over 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professionalstudents enrolled in broad fields of study that include such disciplines as: Pharmacy, Education,Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, Medicine.Along with all these fine degree programs, ETSU has a respected Department of Appalachian Studies, and that department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies.
Established in 1982, Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies is the oldest established program of its kind at any fouryearinstitution.Theschoolbegan offering the minor in 2001 and established the major in the fall of 2010. Since then, the program has thrivedon thephilosophies of preserving the musical traditions rooted in Appalachian culture. The program’s aim is to turn out individuals who can work in the music field successfully as musi-
cians, songwriters, performers or behindthe scenes in the music industry as writers, talent managers, promoters, and so forth. Stu-
general university admission requirements. Once admitted, the student must audition for admission to the degree program. If
Campus o f ETSU
There we have it dear readers, a quick look at one of the more unusual collage majors that can be obtained. The next time you listen to an energetic,top notched bluegrass performance you just might be listening to some music bya recent ETSUgraduate.At the same time, do not count out the many fine pickers and singers who have been home-trained by family traditions and Appalachian mountain sensibilities.
dents couple this major with a complimentaryminorin business management,journalism, orcommunications to name a few. Also, students can do a minor study in this field if they have career ambitions outside music but still wish to enrich their lives with music.
A student seeking a degree in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music studies must first meet
successful, the student is placed in a band according to her or his skill level. Students that are placedin bands must play at least three shows a semester. Plus, there are a number of students who form bands and play outside of the program. The school encourages them to do this as this experience teaches students how to manage a band and gain experience in a professional setting.
We’ll close with a quote from my friends who started this quest with an email. Here is their thoughts, “I think that these young musicians today, who know so much about music construction, have a deep respect for those who came before them, and who kept the music alive, and gave it to the next generation. They can’t help but play it perfectly, because they have been carefully taught howto do it. But, they are also playing it perfectly because they want to do it right and carry on their ancestors’ traditions.” Well said; thank you, Caroline and Pete, for the inspiration.
Unsigned; No Problem
Success in the music industry can come in many different forms. It can take the shape of a viral video, growth in streams, a sync placement, or even signing a record deal. Everyone finds their musical growth in different ways,but thebiggest opportunity you can ever get as an independent artists is meeting new people in the industry. There’s no denying that networking and making new connections is the key to getting your foot in the door.
How does one meet the right people though? The music world is a mecca of spontaneity and opportunity, meaning, you never know what kind of industry professional might be in the room, or where that might lead you. What most people don’t tell you is that you don’t haveto wait for something exciting to manifest, you can make it happen now.
Music competitions have become a very popular environment for
Mike Aiken continued from page 2
My next call was to Annie Johnson, a very creative musician, singer/ songwriter and friend from Newport News, Virginia. I sent her the lyrics and the song and asked, ‘what do you think?’ Annie came right back with ‘Hell yeah, I’m in!’ Ok. Next, the process of creatingavideo that tells the story we wanted told. After many versions, several discussions,poorconnectivity, and a six hour time difference between Virginia and France, we had a video. Thank you Annie!
making things happen for unsigned artists. Take the Unsigned Only Music Awards and The International Songwriting Competition, for example.Theseareplatforms that were created specifically to provide artists new and exciting opportunities that they may not have received otherwise. They offer the chance to directly put your work in the hands of important names in the music industry.Not onlydoes theirpanel of judges include celebrities such as Leann Rimes, The Devil Makes Three,and RuthieFoster, but they also involve big music industry names from companies like Rolling Stone, Summerfest, and Billboard Magazine. It’s not every day that your music gets handed directly to Rolling Stone.
These are also the kind of competitions that ensure everyone has a chanceof winning. With 23 amazing genre categories, Unsigned Only Music Awards has a place for everyone,
including Best Americana Artist, Best Folk Artist, and Best Country Artist. Even some more obscure categories like Best Lyricist and Best Music Video were designed to welcome lyricists and videographers of any genre. It has become clear that if you have a vision you want to share with the world, competitions like this are your place to do it.
This begs an evenbigger question though: have you taken the proper steps to meet the right people? Have you put your music in front of the proper audience? The honest truth is, there is no endto sharingyour work with the world. There will always be new
people to meet and inspire. So when opportunities like The Unsigned Only Music Awards come along offering you new ways to get discovered, you should absolutely go for it. Don’t just wait for something exciting to come along, make it happen.
Get discovered through The Unsinged Only Music Awards at www.unsignedonly.com Deadline: June 18th
and a video premiere on Americana UK for June 12. “Just Our Price to Pay” was hitting a nerve, and these two outlets wanted to be a part of it. Yesterday Ilearned that National Radio France will premiere the song in France. While I am sitting in a little cafe writing this article, the press release is being prepared and we are arranging our promotion.(June 3,2025)
Clif quickly began to work his publicistmagic ona veryshort time frame. With a release date of June 13, he managed to secure an audio premiere on Americana Highways for June 11,
So, back to the challenges …Yes, there often are many but you can make yourlifeinmusic from the road. The business side of music is builton relationships. This is what I was able to count on, 20 years ofrelationshipsto pullthisoff,andeveryone came through. Thanks ALL!
“Just Our Price to Pay” is out as of June 13th and you can check it out on my YouTube channel (/mikeaiken).
BluegrassPoet:
By Nancy Posey
Marty Falle’s Timeless Appalachian Tales
With seven albums under his belt,two releasedin thepast year, Marty Falle has a good idea of what makes a great song: at the top of the list are originality and authenticity. On his latest album, WantedinKentucky, Falle delivers twelve tracks that showcase that balance of solid instrumentals with songs that relate the stories of the Appalachian region he loves.”Dance on the Emerald Green,” theopening track, evokes images of Ireland, the ancestral home of so many from those mountains and valleys. The track that follows,“Bluegrass Banshee” keeps up the lively pace with stronginstrumentalbreaks bythe stand-out studio musicians playing on the album.
Threesongs onthealbum,“Ghost Bride of the Cumberland Falls,” “Freddie’s RunawayBalloon,” and “Breaker Boys,” were co-written with Jonathan Holmberg, whom Falle calls a kindred spirit. From Athens County, Ohio, Holmberg, says Falle, “lives rurally, kind of off the grid.” The two have been
co-writing since they played together in a band when they were students at Ohio University. “It’s a matteroftrust,” says Falle,“and theAppalachianspirit.There’s no faking that.”
In Love With Appalachia
As hefell in lovewithAppalachia back then, Falle also developed a love of bluegrass, which he says was always his favorite music.At first, he said, “I never played allout bluegrass because I didn’t know that I could.” He traces some of his first influences to The Andy Griffith Show, especially when Andy played with the Darlings.
“Ireallyfellinlovewithbluegrass at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Mount Vernon, Kentucky,” said Falle. “There’s a culture around these old bluegrass barn dances in thehistory of Kentucky. That’s where it all happened. Somebody had a farm with a barn, somebody had some moonshine, and everybody would
meet there, bring their own food. They’d find a fiddle player and somebody who played the mandolin and guitar, and folks clogged on the weathered boards of that barn. People fell in love. They invented their own bluegrass.”
The narrative songs on the latest album, including the three writen with Holmberg, are built on stories fromAppalachia,somebased
on tragic legends from the area, such as the tale of “The Ghost Bride of Cumberland Falls,” the shocking history of “Breaker Boys,” poor young boys sent to work deep in the mines, or the story of “Freddie’s Runaway Balloon” with suspense and a happy ending. The title song, “Wanted in Kentucky,” co-written with Rick Lang, is built on the true story of a Kentucky feud from the nineteenth century, rich with specific places and names plucked from Falle’s own farmland near Richmond, Kentucky.
One Of The Best
The authenticity Falle values in his music extends beyond his songwriting. Hecredits Nashville producer Jonathan Yudkin with guiding his recording in the same direction. Crediting the Grammywinning Yudkin for his role in building his career,Falle calls him “one of the best producers in the world—and I’m talking about music, not just bluegrass.” He believes that being Yudkin’s only bluegrass artist gives the recordings a unique flair.
Before the two started working together, Falle says, he had a lot to learn about the best way to record his music. He says he had “started buying into digital recording.” He was aware of the processes used by many recording artists and studios, sending tracks back andforth across hundreds of miles. Yudkin helped himsee“that the moredigital,the more you walked away from analog recording, the less authentic the music sounds. Authenticity should be a cornerstone of bluegrass.”
No Label
Not signed to a record label, Falle says his approach to record promotion is different. He notes that while record companies typically promote one single at a time, he prefers to release the completed album and let the deejays and the industry choose which songs get airplay. “It’s an oldschool approach,” he says. “We have stayed true to originality, putting out real singersongwriter albums with no politics.”
The approach has been successful for Falle. Wanted in Kentucky debuted as number one on Air Play Direct Top FiftyAlbums in all genres and number six on Roots Global Top Album Chart. Three of the songs—”Bury Me” (featuring Carly Greer), “Dance on the EmeraldGrass,” and“Ghost Brideof the Cumberland Falls”—have been picked up by Sirius XM.
His selection of harmony vocalist enhances the tracks on the album. Marty Slayton, who sings with George Strait, has appeared onall sevenof Falle’s albums. She and Kim Parent, who has performed with Reba McIntyre and Brooks and Dunn, add vocals to “Freddie’s Runaway Balloon.” Falle’s son Macklin contributes to the song’s last line. Falle also brought in Carly Greer of Crandall Creek, whose singing he has always loved, to share lead vocals on Dwight Yoakam’s “Bury Me.” The classically trained Beth Green, who has also sung with Falle on his Born Again Bluegrass album, sings on “Ghost Bride of the Cumberland Falls,” “Breaker Boys,” and the Bluegrass state’s classic “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Falle says he enjoyed composing the instrumentals because “that’s the way I like to listen to bluegrass.” Several tracks on the album are a nod to the Flatt and Scruggs school, he said, noting, “There’s an art to the bluegrass breakdown, and I like history behind it.”
“Black Hell Breakdown” precedes “BreakerBoys,” Fallesaid,because “I wanted to bring people to the depths of the coal mine and what it must have been like.” Likewise, “Wanted in Kentucky” leads
naturally into “Bluegrass Wars,” instrumental with the exception of Kim Parent’s lonesome calls.
The musicians appearing with Falleonthis albumandothers that preceded it are familiar names in the bluegrass world: Carl Miner on guitar, Mike Bub on bass, Josh Matheny on dobro, and Matt Matheny on banjo. In addition to producing the album Yudkin also plays fiddle and mandolin.
On Wanted in Kentucky, Falle and his bandlandcomfortablyintothe bounds of traditional bluegrass, yet the album offers a freshness and authenticity rooted firmly in the history and in the soil of the Bluegrass State. While the individual tracks of the album have obvious listening appeal for their originality, both lyrically and instrumentally, the sum is greater than its parts, providing a unified experience that immerses listeners inAppalachian flavored bluegrass.
Most of you probably know by now that The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has relocated its annual conference this year to Chattanooga, TN,after a long tenurein Raleigh, NC. The conference and Bluegrass Live performances, in partnership with Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, will take place September 16 – 20, 2025.
Among those headlining the highly anticipated public festival are Sierra Ferrell, The Wood Brothers, Sierra Hull, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Alison Brown, Sister Sadie, and Jim Lauderdale & The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and others.
The initial threeyear run in Chattanooga comes after 12 successful years in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IBMA World of Bluegrass® is making a new home in
Turns 40 In Chattnooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee with key venues to include the Chattanooga Convention Center, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, and multiple locations throughout downtown, with live performances scheduled across Miller Park, Miller Plaza, and Patten Square.
“We’vebeeneagerlyawaitingthis moment, and we’re thrilled that IBMA World of Bluegrass® is finally coming home to Chattanooga—a city deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of bluegrass music,” said Barry White, President and CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co. “This lineup is extraordinary, showcasing some of the brightest talent in bluegrass today, andwecan’t wait to welcome music fans from around the world to experience our community. Chattanooga is ready to make this first year unforgettable, filled with incredible music, Southern hospitality, and
a warmwelcomeforbluegrass enthusiasts everywhere.”
“As the IBMA turns 40 this year, there’s no better way to celebrate our anniversary than by kicking off the biggest week in bluegrass inChattanooga,” says KenWhite, Executive Director of the IBMA. “Ourattendees will soon discover what we’ve already experienced—it is truly the Scenic City, and the people are friendly, welcoming and love bluegrass. It will be like a bluegrass homecoming.”
Additional talent scheduled to perform include Missy Raines & Allegheny, Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, WoodyPlatt &The Bluegrass Gentlemen, East Nash Grass, Mountain Grass Unit, Authentic Unlimited, Bronwyn KeithHynes, Trey Hensley, Unspoken Tradition,Wyatt Ellis, MasonVia, DownRiver Collective, The Often
Herd, and Kids on Bluegrass— with more to be announced at a later date.
The International Bluegrass MusicAssociation (IBMA)is thenonprofit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. The organization hosts IBMA World of Bluegrass®, an annual event featuringa business conference, showcases, awards show, andstreet festivalhighlightingthe best inbluegrass talent.Theevent supports the IBMA and the IBMA Trust Fund. Other special IBMA initiatives includethe IBMAInternationalBandPerformanceGrant, Leadership Bluegrass, and Kids on Bluegrass. Learn more at ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
Tickets and hotel reservations will open to the general public on May 14. More information is available at worldofbluegrass.org.
PowWowInParsons
Five River Campground, in Parsons, WV, is famous, in the Bluegrass world at least, as the IBMA award winning host of Pickin’ In Parsons, held this year, July 29 th – August 2 nd . However, there is another event you might want to check out as well.
A celebration known as the Powwow in Parsons takes place on June 28 and 29. This intertribal powwow offers a weekend filled with culturalimmersion, captivatingperformances, and community spirit.
The Parsons, WV area is steeped in rich Native American history, originally inhabited by various Indigenous tribes, including the Shawnee and the Delaware. These tribes deeply respected the land and its natural resources, which shaped their cultures, traditions, and social relationships. The powwow serves as a celebration of this heritage, honoring the resilience and contributions of the Native communities that have called this region home for centuries.
You can immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Native American culture through lively drum performances, dynamic storytelling sessions, and breathtaking displays of vibrant regalia. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with tribal communities and experience the beauty of their traditions firsthand, and experience an entirely different, yet equally important American music tradition.
Highlights of the Powwow include, InterTribal Dances where you can witness the power and grace of traditional dances performed by talented dancers representing vari-
ous tribes. There are also cultural vendors offering an array of stalls featuring authentic Native American crafts, artwork, jewelry, and delicious traditional foods. And you’ll also want to check out the storytelling sessions, as you gather around to hear skilled storytellers share tales that connect us to the past and inspire hope for the future.
Tickets are only $10 for a weekend pass (both days), or $6 for a single day, and all ticket proceeds go towards the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Memorial Grove, helping to honor and raise awareness for those who have been lost.
By attending, you’re making a difference in the lives of families and communities. For additional information, please contact Five River Campground at 304-478-3515.
By Greg Tutwiler
The Heels
FEATURE ARTISTS
Meet up and coming young country music queens, The Heels; a high energy show of three-part harmonies - offering stories through songs that speak the language of modern day.
The bands debut album, Love, Heels, debuted on the iTunes Top 100 Country Music Album chart. Their sophomore project, IAm, became a Tiktok sensation, racking up millions of views and fuelling world-wide acclaim with multiple tracks charting in over ten different countries, including a #1 in France, #6 in Ireland, #10 in Belgium, and #13 in the UK on the iTunes Country charts. The Heels most recent follow-up EP, Work OfHeart, is already making waves on major international radio networks
Group Of The Year
They were named Country Group of the Year at the British Columbia Music Association (BCCMA) Awards, and at the Josie Music Awards held in Nashville TN, at the Grand Ole Opry where The Heels took the stage for their first performance there. Bobbi Smith, Brittni Dominelli, and Kyla Rawlins have crafted a sound that is both modern and timeless.
In 2024 the Canadian trio recently relocated to Nashville full-time to
tour extensively across North America, with plans for a UK tour later in 2025. Their journey began humbly in a North Vancouver café where they met, each with solo careers behind them, the women found a common desire: to heal through music. Inspired by iconic female acts, they quickly got to work crafting powerful, arenaready anthems. Since then, their music has amassed over three million streams and counting.
A recent interview with the band gathered some deeper insight into this amazing act. “Brittni was working there as a barista, and Bobbi wasa regular customer. They hadlive music nightsat the café,and the three of us started singing and rehearsing together after hours,” Kyla told us. “Pretty soon, things took off — we got so busy with shows that we eventually hit the road as a band. Now, we’ve taken the leap and all live together in a townhouse in Nashville, TN.”
Theladiesall hadmusicaroundthem growing up; from family members playing instruments, to singing at home, or just always having music playing in the background. Those
early influences definitelyshapedthe artists they have become today.
Meant To Be
Each had their own solo projectsand musical paths before coming together. “But once we blended our voices, something just clicked, and we knew this group was meant to be,” they agreed.
Kyla was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, but raised partly on Vancouver Island, BC. Brittni is from Bowen Island BC, and Bobbi was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC. North Vancouver was where their paths crossed thanks to the café, Buddha-Full.
“We’re lucky to have an amazing band that joins us on the road too,” they said. “They bring so much energy and help bring our songs to life on stage — we’re super grateful for the whole team.” Brittni’s husband, Anthony Fiddler, has produced almost all of their songs from their three albums and plays full time in theband aswellas travels with them around the world along with their little girl, Paige.
The ladies write almost all of their own songs, but are also open to out-
side material if it feels right. “We look for songs that feel authentic to us and tell a story we connect with — whether we wrote them or not, the heart ofthe songmatters most.”
The girls arenot natural siblings, but often are complimented on their “sister harmony.” “We actually love hearing that!” they said. Even though we’re not sisters, we’ve become so close that it feels like weare in many ways. Our harmoniesreflectthatcloseness, and we’ve worked hard to develop a sound that feels natural.”
Balance; The Biggest Challenge
“The biggest challenge is making surewebalanceour individualvoices while keeping the harmony strong. It takes a lot of practice and listening to each other. But honestly, the challenge is part of the fun — it pushes us to be better.”
The trio is really excited about their new project. “These songs feel like themost honestandvulnerablework we’ve done so far. We’ve poured so much heart into this new music and can’t wait for our fans to hear it and experience this next chapter with us.”
“We want to keep growing — playing bigger shows, reaching new audiences, and continuing to evolve as artists. We’re also passionate about supporting womenincountrymusic and lifting each other up in the industry. We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us on this journey. From the early days at the café to now living in Nashville, it’s been an incredible ride. We’re so excited for what’s next, and we can’t wait to share moremusicand memories with allof you.”
Every year on October 1st, the world gets a little more twang. Whether you’re on abackporchin NorthCarolina,ortuninginfromacrossthe globe, chances are you’ll hear a banjo ring, a mandolin chop, or a high lonesome harmony floating through the air. It’s World Bluegrass Day—a global celebration of a deeply American music thathasfoundfans,players,andfamily far beyond its Appalachian roots.
While October 1st is the official day, the heartbeatof WorldBluegrass Day doesn’t fade when the calendar turns. It’s part of a larger movement—one that lives and plays on year-round.
One Man’s Vision
World Bluegrass Day was founded in 2020 by Chris Hanscom, a fan and advocate of the music, based in South Carolina. What began as a heartfelt idea—to give bluegrass its own special day on the calendar—quickly grew into a global platform for celebrating bluegrass through exposure, awareness, and community involvement throughout the year.
Chris’s mission was simple but powerful: to preserve the historical roots of bluegrass forfuture generations to see, hear, and understand where it all began—and to help it grow.
Not Just a Day—A YearRound Mission
World Bluegrass Day isn’t just about one celebration.It’saboutkeepingthe music alive every day by ensuring bluegrass traditions endure through education, archives, and storytelling; and promoting inclusion by embracingdiverse backgrounds,honoringtradition,andfosteringawelcomingglobal community. It’s also about honoringthe multiculturalrootsofbluegrass while showcasingits universalappeal, as well as amplifying its reach, from intimate jams in local parks to mas-
siveinternationalfestivals.Inshort,it’s a movement—one that connects fans across borders and generations while keeping the music honest and accessible.
Who’s Involved?
Since its founding, World Bluegrass Day has grown with the help of musicians, music educators, festival organizers, community leaders, and fans from allwalks oflife. There’sno corporate engine behind it—just everyday people who love the music and want to share it.
It’s not about being famous or flawless. It’s about being part of something real. Whether you’re jamming in your garage, teaching kids in a musicclass,orsimplylisteningfromyour headphones, you’re welcome in the bluegrass circle.
Why It Matters
Bluegrass is more than music—it’s storytelling, history, and heart. It’s about resilience, tradition, and the bonds between people. That’s why World Bluegrass Day places such strong emphasis on education, preservation, andcommunityengagement.
From sharing documentaries, vintage recordings and interviewsthrough the popular World Bluegrass Day YouTube channel (https:// www.youtube.com/ @WorldBluegrassDay),to supporting youth programs and public performances, the day is designed to uplift everyone connected to the genre— fromthe first-timelistenerto the lifelongpicker.
Where It’s Headed
As World Bluegrass Daycontinues to grow, so does its reach. Each year brings new voices, new songs, and newopportunities to celebrate. More schools,festivals,andculturalcenters are taking part. More countries are joiningin.Andthe onlinecommunity— anchored by the hashtag #WorldBluegrassDay—makes it easier than ever to share the music across time zones and languages.
Welcome to the Bluegrass Country festival calendar. We list bluegrass, old time andAmericana festivals at date, in the US and around the world. This year we’re listing festivals outside the US on the same monthly pages as US festivals. If you know about a festival that isn’t on our list, please send us the information.
“Bluegrass festival” is a broad category, encompassing old time fiddlers conventions, family weekends, street fairs, mega-music festivals and everything in between. We’ve provided links to the festival websites so you can check the lineups, schedules, admission fees, facilities, whether there’s camping, jamming etc. Our calendar only lists events when we have confirmed dates, preferably from a currentsecurewebsite or Facebook page. Check back often, as we add new events when we find them.
So pack up your instruments, load the camper and hit the road!
Source: https://bluegrasscountry.org/festivals/
It’ssummer time! Andweare well into festival season for 2025. Are you making your owntouringcalendar?There are so manyIwishIcould attendthisyear -wow,thelineups! Hopetosee manyof you as wemake our ownrounds thissummer.
Here’s a fresh batch of bands towatchfor asyou checkout their latestprojects.Howwill weever see them all?
As always, thanks for taking a fewminutestocheck outall thisgreatnewmusic! Buythe onesyou like. Supportyour favoritemusiciansotheycan keep making new music for you!Oh,andtellthemWoody sent ya.
Check out some deeperstories here:
Got one you want us to consider? send it to: Uncle Woody
The Spin Doctor, PO Box 45 Bridgewater, VA 22812
Shawn Lane and Richard Bennett 1682
www.shawnlanemusic.com
Thislaid-back acousticbluegrass project leans heavily into a jam-style sound. Lane isafoundingmemberofBlue Highway, while Bennett has spent time with acts like JD Crowe and New South. This isa greatcollection.
Although all the members of thisbandresideinColumbia, SC - they’ve been making a name for themselves in venues all around Ashville, NC.Theirnewselftitledalbum combines grass with swing, reggae,jazz, and more.
Pickin’ On Creedence ClearwaterRevival www.falconpublicity.com
Since 2003 the Pickin’ On series has featured the bluegrassband,IronHorse.CCR disbanded in1972, but left a pileof earlyrock androll hits. To finally get a grassed versionofsongslike“BadMoon Rising”-Yeah!.
The Po’
www.theporamblinboys.com
Formedin2014intheSmoky Mountains of TN, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys are exactly whatyou’d expectfrom atraditional bluegrass band, and completlyuniqueanddifferent fromanythingyou’veprobably heard. It’sreal good stuff.
Phil Madeira Falcon www.philmadeia.net
Thissongwriter-sidemanhas worked with many of the greats - Emmylou HarrisElvisCostello-RobertPlantand Toby Keith - to name a very few ... but he cuts some goodonesonhisowntoo;like thisone! GoPhil!.
The Best Of Route 3 Live At The Station Inn www.routethreebluegrass.com
Southwest Missouri bluegrass band, Route 3 made their debut in2019, and won a ACMA Bluegrass Artist Of The Year Award. Their song “Cartersville” peaked at #4. Thislivealbumwasrecorded at Nashville’s famed Station Inn. Good live set..
Ashleigh Graham I’ll Just Drive www.ashleighgrahammusic.com
It’s the debut album for this NorthCarolinanative.The12 track collection highlights Ashleigh’s ability to blend storytelling,emotion,andtradition- deepbluegrasstradition. She wrote or co-wrote sevenofthe 12tracks. Keep aneyeonthis lady.
Danny Paisley Bluegrass State Of Mind www.dannypaisley.com
DannyPaisleyisthereigning (2024)IBMA“MaleVocalistOf TheYear.”Dannyiscelebrating50yearsinBluegrasswith thislatestproject-atruebluegrass pioneer who’s seen manychangesalongtheway. He fronts the longstanding band,SouthernGrass.
The Kody Norris Show HighfalutinHillbilly www.thekodynorrisshow.com
Polished, signature classic showmanship, is simply where the Kody Norris Show begins. It’s full of high energy, vintage flair, and old school story telling. With five 2024 SPBGMA awards under his belt, this act is poised to set the new tradition.
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run Coming On Strong www.midnightrunbluegrass.com
Setting the bar for tight harmonies, lightening-fast instrumentals, and a creativelycuratedblend oforiginalsandreimaginedclassics -theyhaveearned aplace in the “bluegrass acts to follow thisyear” playbook..
The Wood Brothers Puff Of Smoke
www.thewoodbros.com
Oliver (vocals/guitar) and his brother Chris (bass) - the Wood Brothers, along with percussionistJano Rix,have carved a niche in the roots/ string world that they occupy exclusively. Together since 2006, this triois one band to bucket list this year.
King James Boys Get A Transfer www.thekingjamesboys.com
OneoftheleadingBluegrass Gospel bands of today, The King James Boys latest project, Get A Transfer, had several singles in the top 10 onthecharts,like“ICanHear TheSavior,” and“Readyand Waiting.”Ifyoulikebluegrass gospel, you’ll like this one.
www.donrigsby.com
Formore than40 years,Don Rigsby’sdistinctivevoiceand masterful musicianship have helped shape the bluegrass landscape. This latest project, Kentucky Troubadour, isaretrospectiveintohis RebelRecordscatalog.You’ll want to add this one.
