Podcasts about Balsam Range

It was Friday at MerleFest and I had already taken in an afternoon and evening of music the day before, which threatened more rain than it delivered. The one downpour that hit the festival grounds coincided with my campsite assembly, though, which made for an especially challenging time with raising my tent. Pouring rain makes tents heavy and unwieldy, but luckily for me, not impossible to put together — just fairly comical to passersby. The inside of it was a mess after that, but it was the only weather incident I experienced all weekend. It would not be MerleFest without at least a little rain, after all. As it would be an outlier for MerleFest to be without rain, it would be similarly unlikely for MerleFest to go without at least one of two contemporary bluegrass stars from western NC: Woody Platt and Buddy Melton. Fans have enjoyed Woody Platt's former band Steep Canyon Rangers thirteen times at the festival since 2006, while Buddy Melton's former group Balsam Range has made five appearances there since 2010. This year, they appeared in a new lineup: Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen. I had the pleasure of catching up with Woody Platt and Buddy Melton in one of the few quiet spots available on the festival grounds, in the band's motor coach, where we talked about how this project began; how their region is recovering from Hurricane Helene and more recently, widespread wildfires; a certain Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover they played live at the festival, as well as how they love to hear other players cover their songs. That and a lot more, including excerpts of music from Woody Platt's 2024 album Far Away With You awaits you in this episode. Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen perform on Creekside Stage at MerleFest in Wilkesboro NC 04-25-25 Songs heard in this episode: “Long Time Coming” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You“Like The Rain Does” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You, excerpt“Find the Cost of Freedom” by Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, from Live At Fillmore East, 1969, excerpt“Walk Along With Me” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You, excerpt“One Last Goodbye” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With YouThanks for reading and listening! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice. You can find us on Apple here, Spotify here and YouTube here — hundreds more episodes await, filled with artists you may know by name, or musicians and bands that are ready to become your next favorites. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

We had such a great time talking with Marc Pruett about his musical career that we found ourselves with a longer story. In this second episode, we look back at some of his early influences, the well-loved Bill Stanley's BBQ, and the birth of Balsam Range. 

We had such a great time talking with Marc Pruett about his musical career that we found ourselves with a longer story. In this second episode, we look back at some of his early influences, the well-loved Bill Stanley's BBQ, and the birth of Balsam Range. 

Marc Pruett is known for his spectacular three-fingered style of banjo playing and his winning smile! He's also one of the founding members of the bluegrass band, Balsam Range. Marc sat down to share some stories, discussing his life in Haywood County and his musical career that has led to different areas of the world. 

Marc Pruett is known for his spectacular three-fingered style of banjo playing and his winning smile! He's also one of the founding members of the bluegrass band, Balsam Range. Marc sat down to share some stories, discussing his life in Haywood County and his musical career that has led to different areas of the world. 

The Bibelhauser Brothers combine twin brother duet harmony vocals with high energy bluegrass-country-soul sounds. On the heels of their latest release “Close Harmony”, Adam and Aaron create an experience fueled by instrumental prowess, original songs, and obscure country classics. In addition to writing songs recorded by award winning bluegrass artists including Del McCoury, Balsam Range, Michael Cleveland, & Dale Ann Bradley, Aaron Bibelhauser is an accomplished session musician on half a dozen instruments, producer and recording engineer for other regional artists, and long time host of the weekly radio broadcast “Bluegrass Evolution” on 91.9 WFPK in Kentucky. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tophillrecording/support

Rick Dollar enjoys getting the whole story about Alan Bibey's music career, not only with the award-winning Bluegrass group, Balsam Range but Alan Bibey and Grasstown. As you can imagine, Rick and Alan would eventually trade stories about Bill Monroe, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Steve Gulley, and more!

The Dreadful Snakes kick-off this episode of the Back Porch Bluegrass Show, and then we've got Balsam Range, Jeremy Stephens, Dr Pete Wernick (playing some pretty way-out sounding banjo licks), Longview and Ramona Church. I've got Dale Jett & Hello Stranger back this week, and the Trenwiths (previewing their appearance at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival), and a classic from Flatt & Scruggs ( because it IS a bluegrass show!)

On this episode Tim & Josh recap a full weekend of playing music, Colton Baker of IIIrd Tyme Out filling in in Josh's absence and Josh tells a great story of his 2001 debut album song Many a Mile. He even plays it for you live. Their guest this week is Tim Surrrett of the hit bluegrass band Balsam Range. Tim has had a long and successful career and he and Josh tell stories of their time together playing music with the great Tony Rice.

Episode Notes**** To support this podcast you can follow me on Patreon where there is a bunch of video content and tabs available! My guest this week is the award winning Alan Bibey. Alan is a legend and one of the nicest guys around. He recently joined up with Balsam Range and they have a brand new album out called Kinetic Tone available HERE! He's also currently accepting students for his 9th Annual Alan Bibey Mandolin Camp and you can sign up HERE for that. Also, be sure to head over to Alan's website for himself and Grasstowne to keep up with one of the busiest guys around! Songs featured in this episode: All songs are from the new Balsam Range album “Kinetic Tone” available for purchase here! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor's that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Acoustic Disc Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Ear Trumpet Labs

I've dug deep into my shelves of LPs, and hauled out a few favourites – the Blue Velvet Band, Seldom Scene, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, fiddler Glen Duncan, to find some tracks I've not played on the show previously. We've got a little more contemporary with the HCBB, George Jackson, the Kody Norris Show, and Balsam Range, and some classic bluegrass from Tony Ellis.

Chuck talks with Justice Hudson, a freelance reporter covering homelessness in Wheeling, WV about the recent actions by the city to demolish homeless camps, and how these destructive policies spread far beyond just his city.  Support homeless people in wheeling:StreetMoms (amazon wishlist): http://tinyurl.com/2t3czr5fLIfeHub WV: https://lifehubwv.org/House of Hagar: https://www.houseofhagarcw.com/Subscribe to Justice's substack! https://thehudsoneditorial.com/Follow Justice on twitter: https://twitter.com/JusticeHudson97Timestamps: 00:55 - The disaster of the 2024 election and the NH primary11:40 -  An Ohio State Rep cockblocks their son31:50  - Homeless camp demolitions in Appalachia40:50 - Interview with Justice Hudson01:32:40 - Under-the-radar:  Airbnb housing-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

This episode of Today's Bluegrass features music from artists - Caroline Owens, 7 Mile Bluegrass, Tom Jutz, Balsam Range and more. The show can be heard on Southern Branch Bluegrass & Gospel Music Radio five times each week. Monday at 9 AM, Tuesday at 12 AM, Thursday and Friday at 11 PM and Saturday at 3 AM - all times Eastern. Southern Branch Bluegrass & Gospel Music Radio can be tuned in locally at 91.7 FM Community Radio and streaming world wide at www.sbbradio.org and www.sbbradio.net We are WSBB - Digital Broadcasting Radio.

The Bibelhauser Brothers, based in Louisville, are super talented brothers who will absolutely wow you with both their vocal and instrumental power. In addition to writing songs recorded by award-winning bluegrass artists including Del McCoury, Balsam Range, Michael Cleveland, & Dale Ann Bradley, Aaron Bibelhauser is sought after as a songwriter, vocalist, solo recording artist, and bandleader.  Aaron has spent the past twenty years working with several Kentucky-based ensembles and hustling as a sideman and utility player on banjo, pedal steel guitar, dobro, piano, bass, and guitar. Twin brother Adam has spent the past two decades developing one of the most powerful voices in bluegrass music, and his own style as a bassist, as well as a guitarist. His commanding presence, grit, and grace, both on and off stage are in a league of their own.

Chuck and Callie discuss the new Tennessee Satan Ass club, the Sackler's bankruptcy deal, and Mac Warner's conspiracy-laden run for governor of West Virginia-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will.Support the show

Bluegrass Icons, Balsam Range have a great new record HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Rick Dollar sits down with Buddy Melton and gets the What For about this new project!

Chuck and Callie discuss a recent article in Belt about queer Appalachian witches, and how they're building a beautiful and supportive community, and the absurd backlash they received on Twitter after posting about the article.  (Full disclosure: we're obviously not witches and we talked about this to the best of our ability as people without personal knowledge.  If you're a queer appalachian witch, you're more than welcome on our show and we'd love to hear from you and learn more!)https://beltmag.com/the-queer-witches-of-appalachia/Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk Zach Shrewsbury, a democrat running for U.S. Senate in West Virginia! You can learn more about Zach here: https://www.shrewsburyforsenate.com/Timestamps: 01:10  - Is Elon Musk okay?09:30  - Queer Appalachian witches are great!42:15 -  Interview with Zach Shrewsbury01:10:00 - Under-the-radar:   Johnson City's Police  Are Awful-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will.Support the show

Chuck and Callie discuss a recent MASSIVE and EXPLOSIVE article in Grist, reported by Austyn Gaffney, about the absolute disaster that was AppHarvest, an agricultural start-up that sold a bill of goods to the people in Eastern Kentucky, then fleeced them and filed bankruptcy.  Its a sad, wild story that you need to know about.https://grist.org/agriculture/appharvest-indoor-farming-morehead-kentucky/ Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk with the filmmakers behind "O Pioneer", a  documentary follows three West Virginians—a blacksmith, a seamstress, and a hospital chaplain—as they creatively navigate hardship and call us to champion the pioneer within.Check it out here!: https://opioneer.com/ HELP SAVE THE WHEELING JAMBOREE! https://gofund.me/ac551fbcTimestamps: 02:57  - Joe Manchin's side quest continued09:55  - CrAppHarvest40:00 - O'Pioneer Interview01:07:04 - Under-the-radar:  Be Gay Do Crimes-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Balsam Range, winner of 13 awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)—including Entertainer of the Year—will headline the second concert in Brinkley Amphitheater at Gardner-Webb University. Special guest, Fireside Collective, will open the event on Nov. 18. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the program starts at 5 p.m. General admission tickets are available now. Today on Webbchat Richard McDevitt and Noel T. Manning II spend time with Tim Surrett of Balsam Range. Surrett shares his influences, the genesis of the band, and why Bluegrass Music continues to resonate with audiences. The Boiling Springs Tourism Development Authority is a sponsor for this event, and WNCW is a media sponsor. #### This is the official podcast channel for Gardner-Webb University; you can subscribe to podcasts like these on many of your favorite platforms. **Background music for this episode features: “Blue Hills” courtesy of PowerDirector/Cyberlink.com (2023)

Chuck and Callie discuss one hell of an election night this past Tuesday, including the results in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia, as well as the end of Joe Manchin's senate career and his weird side quest to "find the middle"Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk with Dorian Palmer, president of the North Carolina Young Democrats, about capturing this momentum into 2024. HELP SAVE THE WHEELING JAMBOREE! https://gofund.me/ac551fbcTimestamps: 01:00  - Joe Manchin's incoming side quest09:00 - Some great election results!34:56 - Interview with Dorian Palmer59:49 - Under-the-radar:  A tribute to Loyal Jones-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie discuss Issues 1 & 2 in Ohio - two ballot initiatives enshrining abortion, contraception, fertility care, and miscarriage care (among others) in Ohio's Constitution and legalizing recreational weed.  Plus!  Callie talks with Dwight Garner, a NY Times columnist and author of "The Upstairs Delicatessen: On eating, reading, reading about eating, and eating while reading."Get Dwight's book here! https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-upstairs-delicatessen-on-eating-reading-reading-about-eating-and-eating-while-reading-dwight-garner/19509951Timestamps: 00:45  - Issues 1 & 217:56 - Interview with Dwight Garner45:50 - Under-the-radar:  WVU Admin heads rolling?-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck talks with Allen Junge, Kate Anderson, and Emmi Cohen of the Activision Blizzard King (ABK) Workers Alliance about how video game workers are unionizing and organizing for a better work environment!  Acivision-Blizzard is one of the largest video game publishers in the world and is the publisher for games like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, and more.  The ABK Workers Alliance is a group of organized workers from video game company Activision Blizzard. Formed in response to a July 2021 state lawsuit against the company for harassment and discriminatory work practices, the worker advocacy group A Better ABK organized walkouts and demonstrations against the company's policy and practices. The quality assurance workers of subsidiary Raven Software went on strike in December after part of the team was fired. The striking workers announced their union as the Game Workers Alliance in late January 2022 and offered to end the strike pending their union's recognition.ABK Workers Alliance LinksWebsite: https://abkwatch.org/abk-workers-allianceTwitter: https://twitter.com/abetterabk?lang=enTimestamps: 01:15 - Intro: looking back at 200 episodes!07:40 - Kentucky governor's debate/Andy wiping the floor34:00  - Interview with ABK Workers Alliance01:06:00 - Under-the-radar:  Wifi on school buses-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

We talk about the importance of Taylor Swift ditching Travis Kelce for an Appalachian, for the sake of our region's economy, John Fetterman's wardrobe controversy, and why the first two senators to call for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign were also guests on  Appodlachia.Plus! Callie talks with Allison Ricket and Claire Ramsey  Building Bridges 2 Careers about how they're working to bridge the gap between education and employment by fostering school, business, and community relationships to inspire career choice through experience, entrepreneurship, and educatin!Learn more about Building Bridges 2 Careershttps://www.bb2careers.org/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:58 - Taylor Swift can fix the Appalachian Economy17:22 - John Fetterman's clothes and Bob Menendez29:39 - Announcements35:10  - BB2C Interview-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

We talk about the importance of Taylor Swift ditching Travis Kelce for an Appalachian, for the sake of our region's economy, John Fetterman's wardrobe controversy, and why the first two senators to call for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign were also guests on  Appodlachia. Plus! Callie talks with Allison Ricket and Claire Ramsey  Building Bridges 2 Careers about how they're working to bridge the gap between education and employment by fostering school, business, and community relationships to inspire career choice through experience, entrepreneurship, and educatin!Learn more about Building Bridges 2 Careershttps://www.bb2careers.org/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:58 - Taylor Swift can fix the Appalachian Economy17:22 - John Fetterman's clothes and Bob Menendez29:39 - Announcements35:10  - BB2C Interview-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck talks with Amanda Page, David Bernabo, and John Miller about the documentary "Peerless City" about Portsmouth, OH.  We also chat about John's documentary "Moundsville."  They're both fascinating, and Peerless City is now avaialble on PBS Passport, so check it out!!Peerless City and Moundsville Links https://www.peerlesscity.com/https://www.pbs.org/show/peerless-city/https://moundsville.org/https://www.pbs.org/show/moundsville/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:40 - Checkin' in on Congressman Mad Dog 20/2015:27 - Announcements24:10  - Peerless City Interview53:26 - Under-the-radar:  The Manchinchurian Candidate-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie talk with Shelby Meador and Christian Adams of WV United Students Union to talk about the ridiculous budget cuts at WVU, E Gordon Gee's poor leadership, and what students, alumni, faculty, and supporters are doing to push back against the erosion of the state's largest land-grant university.Follow West Virginia United Students' Union and learn more about them, and support them!!https://aftacademics.org/wvunitedsu/https://twitter.com/wvunitedsuJOIN THE ALUMNI RALLY THIS SATURDAY! 1PM SATURDAY SEPT. 9TH IN FRONT OF THE MOUNTAINLAIR IN MORGANTOWNWEAR BLACK!Timestamps: 02:20 - Intro: Weed in Cherokee country09:30 - E Gordon Grift and his history of Scrooge McDuckin 23:50 - Interview with Shelby Meador and Christian Adams of WV United01:12-12 - Under-the-radar:  Waymakers CollectiveArticles Mentionedhttps://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/08/22/wvu-troubles-not-surprising-with-gees-history-of-lavish-spending/ https://ordinary-times.com/2023/08/29/the-maleficent-gordon-gee-and-his-malfunctioning-money-machine/-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie talk with Elaine Eisinger, who's child was a student at The Covenant School in Nashville  on March 27th, 2023, where a mass shooting took the lives of 6 innocent people, including 3 children.  Elaine shares her personal story of how she became involved in politics in Tennessee, her experience about that horrific day in March, and what her and other parents are doing to change the Volunteer State and make it a safer place for kids to go to school. (Elaine appears in her personal capacity as a private citizen and parent of a student at the Covenant School) Please consider supporting Covenant Families for a Brighter Tomorrowhttps://www.covenantbrightertomorrows.org/This is a grassroots organization comprised of parents, survivors, and staff deeply impacted by this tragedy whose objective is to provide education around the impact and prevention of school shootings, improve mental health support, and drive meaningful legislative change to ensure the safety of children and staff in schools.Timestamps: 02:20 - Question of the week: What is something that pisses off Appalachians but nobody else?18:05 - Rich Man North of Richmond's misplaced ire 26:46 - Interview with Elaine Eisinger -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie chats with renowned songwriter Jon Wesiberger about writing music and how streaming has impacted songwriters.  Jon is credited with composing  200+ songs including  for Billy Strings, the Infamous Stringdusters, and Balsam Range and has won numerous awards including Songwriter of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association.-----------------------------------------------Support our friend Philip Bowen by getting his new album!  https://philipbowenmusic.myshopify.com/Intro/Outro and Interview transition music: "Old Kanawha" by Philip Bowen ft. Charles Wesley GodwinCheck out our new sponsor!  Red Rooster Coffee!Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:50 - Intro :  Ohio Issue 1 win04:40 - Alan Jackson: Consent King14:48 - Patreon!17:00 - Interview with Jon Weisberger51:18 - Under the Radar: Leaving Appalachia -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia--------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie take listener submissions about the worst thing they ever got in trouble for as a kid, and then talk with Jeffrey Reddick - creator of the Final Destination horror franchise - about the writers/actors strike in Hollywood and what working class people are facing with rich studio executives. Follow Jeffrey: https://twitter.com/JeffreyaReddick  Support the strike: https://sagaftra.foundation/emergencyfinancialassistance/https://entertainmentcommunity.org/Check out our new sponsor!  Red Rooster Coffee!Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 04:59 - Appalachian Stories: What was the worst thing you got in trouble for?33:07 - Interview with Jeffrey Reddick34:58 - How he made it in the industry41:57 - How streaming has impacted writers and actors46:32 - Pay and other demands50:57 - Ai57:37 - Supporting the strike-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie and Chuck talk with Stephanie Hoskins and Destinie Robinson of Volunteers of America about the opioid morphine epidemic-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 00:23 - Intro - Chuck moving05:30 - Appalachian Stories: Papaw Stories25:12 - Patreon Limericks!28:57 - Interview with VOA01:00:40 - Under-the-radar: Broadband Moneyyy $$$-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie and Chuck talk with 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, author of "Gay Poems for Red States" and altogether wonderful human, Willie Carver!  Get Willie's Book: https://tinyurl.com/GayPoemsKYPressFollow Willie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillieETCarver WVU Faculty + Staff Blog Post Link: https://wvufacts.wordpress.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:26 - Acknowledging the Birth of West By God Virginia03:17 - Huggy Beer 08:00 - Appalachian Stories: Unhinged Death Stories25:00 - Patreon Limericks!28:35 - Interview with Willie Carver01:00:00 - Under-the-radar: WVU Budget Crisis!-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Today we talk about the Trump indictment, discuss some of the most notable reality tv stars from Appalachia, and talk to PA artist Norman Ed!-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:02 - Trump Indictment22:30 - Weekly List: Appalachian Reality TV Stars42:06 - Interview with Norman Ed -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Today, Chuck talks with Anderson Clayton - the newly elected chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party who, at 25 years old, is the youngest Democratic Party leader in the country.  HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Chuck talks with Robert Kahne of My Old Kentucky Podcast about the GOP primary for governor in Kentucky and Joe Biden's re-election announcement!Check out My Old Kentucky Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-old-kentucky-podcast/id1154532193HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

We sit down with Jon Matthews and J Gallienne from the Appalachian Queer Film Festival to discuss the festival's roots, what showcasing queer filmmaking means to them and the region, and more! The festival is October 6-8th this year in Huntington, WV!  Find out more in the links below.  AQFF Links:Appalachian Queer Film Festival website: https://www.appalachianqueerfilmfest.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/appalachianqueerfilmfest/Kokomo city: https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/638a18f0d406b253ebf2cf2cCheck out the Vanishing Postcards podcast! https://www.vanishingpostcards.comHELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Callie sits down with Councilwoman Ixya Vega! In addition to being a member of the Morgantown, WV City Council and on the board of Holler Health Justice, Ixya is West Virginia's only full time Planned Parenthood organizer, and Callie talks with her about organizing in Appalachia,  doing so as a woman of color, and much more!In our weekly list, we discuss some Appalachian heavy hitters in the outdoors and conservation game then take you through some of the worst parts of the McCarthy budget and how Appalachia will be harmed for our under-the-radar segment (its way more interesting than it sounds, promise!)Ixya's links:Morgantown City Council: https://www.morgantownwv.gov/directory.aspx?EID=67IG: https://www.instagram.com/ixyaaaTwitter: https://twitter.com/IxyaaaCheck out the Vanishing Postcards podcast! https://www.vanishingpostcards.com/HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps01:30 - Intro: Naked and Afraid outta Haywood County08:50 - Weekly List:  5 Appalachian Outdoor Heroes30:00 - Interview with Councilwoman Ixya Vega1:00:29 - Under-the-radar: Dangerous cuts in congressional GOP budget will harm Appalachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Today we talk about Kelly Craft's painful attempts at relating to people on the campaign trail, how Pittsburgh is purchasing people's medical debt and forgiving it, and we talk to Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters about the party's plan to win back the state house and make gains in rural parts of the state. Watch/Share Drew Morgan's new mini-special, "Tennessee's a Drag": https://youtu.be/x-iXT80lWBgEast Palestine Charity: https://www.brightsideprojectohio.org/east-palestine-crisis-reliefHELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps01:30 - Intro: Dance Moms 08:50 - Weekly List: Kelly Craft's worst blunders32:40 - Interview with Chair Liz Walters1:05:06 - Under-the-radar: Pittsburgh Medical Debt Relief-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

I've dug into the bottom shelf of my old LP's to come up with some tracks that haven't been played on this show previously – Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Jim & Jesse, John Hartford, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, Eric Weissberg & Marshall Brickman. I'll also be playing some lesser-known Flatt & Scruggs, Raymond McLain, the Gibson Brothers, and newer friends like Balsam Range, Starlett & Big John Talley, and even some HCBB.

Today we talk entirely about the Tennessee Three and their undemocratic expulsions from the Tennessee Legislature, including an interview with the training director for Organize Tennessee, Charles Uffelman. We dedicate this episode to the innocent victims of the Nashville mass shooting at Covenant School.  It is our hope that we remember their names and fight for a better and more safer world in their memory.  HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps03:05 - Intro: Danny saves Easter05:44 - The Tennessee Three42:40 - Interview with Charles Uffelman1:00:41 - Dedication to the victims of the Nashville shooting-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Rick talks to Buddy Melton of Balsam Range about their new music, personnel changes, and the new record coming out soon!

This week on The Gospel Jubilee it will be an all bluegrass edition. Songs by Balsam Range, Authentic Unlimited, the Darrell Webb Band, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, and so much, much more. Here are all of the ways you can listen to the Gospel Jubilee On your Echo device say, Alexa, play the Gospel Jubilee on Apple podcast. For a direct download go to: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53226523/download.mp3 Ocean Waves Radio ... every Wednesday at 12 noon Eastern time., www.OceanWavesRadio.com Thursday afternoons at 4:00 PM and Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM EST on Southern Branch Bluegrass Radio, www.sbbradio.org Saturday evenings at 7:00 and Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 CST on Radio For Life, www.RadioForLife.org Legend Oldies Radio. Our broadcast will be aired every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM CDT. https://www.legendoldies.com Playlist: Artists |Song Title | Album 01. The Joyful Sounds - Let us sing - "Let Us Sing" 02. Jody Adams - All day singin' - "Voices Of Home" 03. Balsam Range - Gonna be movin - "The Gospel Collection" 04. Daryl Mosley with Ronnie booth - Big God - "Big God - Single" 05. Anny Roberts - I went down a beggar - "Nighthawk" 06. Bama Blu-Grace - Come unto me - "Journey Of Faith" 07. The Cluster Pluckers - Keep on the sunny side - "Bluegrass gospel Favorites" 08. Authentic Unlimited - Ready - "Gospel Sessions Volume 1" 09. Donna Ulisse - this is my Father's world - "I Am A Child Of God" 10. Candy & Jeremy - Tomorrow - "Worth The Journey" 11. The Cox Family & Alison Krauss - Will there be any stars - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 12. Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver -Shall we gather at the river - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 13. Daily & Vincent - By the mark - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 14. The Darrell Webb Band - If you don't believe the Bible - "Bloodline" 15. Heaven's Mountain Band - When the Savior calls me - "Old Fashion Worship" 16. Dale Ann Bradley & The Isaacs - Working on a building - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 17. The Del McCoury Band - I'm bound for the land of Canaan - "The promise Land" 18. Mac Wiseman, The Whites, & Charlie Daniels - Walking in Jerusalem just like John - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 19. High Road Faithful again - "High Road" 20. Jerry Salley & Brandon Rickman & Bradley Walker - Back of the church - "Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, Bluegrass Gospel" 21. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers - You gotta get down - "Somewhere Beyond The Blue" 22. Larry Cordle - Give me Jesus - "Give Me Jesus" 23. Primitive Quartet - There's a much better way - "It's Real" 24. Rhonda Vincent - Until then - "Bound For Gloryland" 25. Ricky Skaggs & The Whites - Homesick for heaven - "The Salt Of The Earth" 26. The Isaacs - The wilderness - "Songs For The Times" 27. Larry DeLawder - Uncloudded day - "Bluegrass Gospel Harmonica"

Callie's hometown of Canton, NC is facing an absolutely devastating situation as the company who own's the town's biggest employer - a paper mill - announced it would be shutting down the facility in June, leaving 1,100 union workers without jobs.  Callie breaks down the history of Canton and lays the context for why this is so hearbreaking, we talk about the politics, and we interview the Mayor of Canton - Zeb Smathers, who doesn't mince words. HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps00:40 - Intro: Chuck was attacked by a cat07:44 - Background on Canton, NC15:46 - The company's shadiness, the economic impact, and the union41:32 - The politics of the mill closure 54:20 - Announcements57:08 - Interview with Mayor Zeb Smathers-----------------------------------------------Intro, Outro, and Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Our special guest in this episode is Darren Nicholson.Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music.Darren shares all about his new music, what he's been up to, and how the major life-changing events in his life have shaped him into who he is today.------------------------------------------------------------------------------Transcript:00:00: 27--00:00: 55 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Hi, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, talking about the people and culture of the Smoky Mountains where my family has been around for a couple of hundred years. And I own a business here called the Meadowlark Motel as well as a restaurant called Homecraft. And I'm pretty proud to be back in the area and meeting and greeting, and talking to some wonderful people, like my guest today, Darren Nicholson. How are you doing, Darren? 00:00: 56--00:00: 58 Darren Nicholson:  Doing great, Joseph. Thank you so much for having me on. 00:00: 58--00:01: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Sure. Last time I had you on the previous podcast series and I did a whole intro. But why don't you do three sentences of what you think is your highlights of your bio? 00:01:14--00:01:20 Darren Nicholson:  I'm the world's foremost turkey hypnotist. 00:01: 20--00:01:21  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. 00:01:21--00:01:31 Darren Nicholson: I wear frilly leg warmers, and I have quite an impressive Beanie Baby collection. 00:01: 31--00:01:49  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. Let me tell you, I have to look at you quite a bit because you gave me a shirt with I think it was a picture of your album of you with a rose in your teeth doing a deep sort of lunge in your underwear, right? 00:01:50 --00:01:53 Darren Nicholson: Yes. It's a provocative pose for an early morning. 00:01: 53--00:02:14  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  The problem is you put that on a T-shirt that's soft that my wife grabbed it and she wears it to bed about once a week. So I got to look at your face in a bone about once a week. 00:02:14 --00:02:58 Darren Nicholson: It's actually the evening before pill. It's not the morning-after pill. It's the evening before you put that on and make sure nothing happens in the bedroom. That was actually a graphic. A guy in Kentucky did that graphic. His name is Jonathan Carroll. He's a great graphic artist. He was nominated for an IBMA award this year for his graphic art. But he took me and it was the if you remember, the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza on the couch that pose in his underwear. It was basically kind of a spoof on that version of this. I still have a few of those left, believe it or not. I did not sell all of those. 00:02: 58--00:03:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, for the folks out there who might not know, which I doubt, I think everybody's going to know. But Darren is one of the foremost musicians in American and bluegrass today, and he has a solo career, and he also has been a member of several bands. Most recently, he left Balsam Range, which is one of the top bluegrass bands in the world right now. I'm assuming that you were looking to pursue new opportunities and new opera things. So what is new with your career in that regard? And I guess you have a new bluegrass booze, right? 00:03:47 --00:06:26 Darren Nicholson: Yeah, got a brand new bluegrass record that I finished last year, actually. But the first single just came out on January 29. It's called Arkansas without you. And it's a host of hot young pickers and I'm really excited about the new bluegrass project. And so far the thing, it's got raised reviews. It's been a long time since Balsam Range. I've been in the studio, and my departure from Balsam Range is definitely not an end for me. It's a new beginning. I did 15 years. I was an original member, and I'm very grateful for those 15 years, but definitely got to a place professionally and personally where I wanted to do something different. Balsam Range, a lot of people don't realize, has always been well, not always, but for the last at least ten years has been a part-time band and so with every year, the dates have seemed to be doing less and less. And I think that's by choice. I think that's what they want to do. But they only did 30 dates last year. That was what was on the calendar, around 30 dates. And I did about 250 dates on my own, so I couldn't by the time it was the smoke cleared, I did about 290 performance dates last year. And so it got to it just got to a place in my career where instead of doing a couple of part-time things, the opportunity presented itself for me to play music full-time and focus on my full-time solo career. And to be honest with you, it was a no-brainer. I had to do it for my business, and then I had to do it for my mental health, too. It's hard juggling a schedule and setting a calendar because people would try to book me for the fall of next year. And I was constantly in limbo with their schedule and what they may or may not do. It was a difference in direction of my career. And it's nothing personal, it's nothing against them. They're going to continue doing what they do, and I wish them well. But I've got a singular focus. I'm a lot happier and it's a lot less stressful trying to juggle a bunch of things, so I'm in a much better place. 00:06: 26--00:07:07  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  I remember last time we talked, I listened to quite a bit of your solo stuff, right?  There were some of the American, almost country music things that I really liked a lot. And you had a little bit of sort of bluesy parts to it and some real almost southern rock rifts and things like that. I thought, wow, you should be out there doing a lot on your own, which of course you were, but I think you keep rising higher, just mean yourself, right? 00:07:10 --00:09:58 Darren Nicholson:  That's it.  Well, that seems to be knock-on-wood, the direction things are going. And part of it is if you're always comfortable, that means you're not growing. And so I don't want to get into a place with my music where I'm doing the same sets all the time, or I'm just doing the same thing. I wanted to get outside the box, and get outside of my comfort zone. I'm writing songs. So the record you're talking about is called the man on a Mission. And that album, I had another guy produce it, Jeff Collins. And I had a whole cast of musicians that I don't normally use, and it forced me in a different direction. And that's what I wanted.  I wanted something new and organic to get me out of my comfort zone and push my own creativity and my own growth, to push my boundaries a little bit. And it was a great experience. And so with this new bluegrass record, I did the same thing, but in a different direction. I've produced several records on my own, and so I know what that sounds like. So I got a young guy, a guy I play a lot of music with named Colby Laney. He's from Marion, North Carolina, and he's probably the best acoustic guitar player on the planet. Or if he's not, he's one of the leading three. He's incredible. But I had him coproduce it with me and he brought this new energy and new life to my bluegrass recordings, and that's what I wanted. I picked all musicians I'm only 39, but all musicians who were younger than me and who were all more progressive players.  I did. And it just put me I'm still doing what I do. I play like I play, I sing like I sing. But with this other cast, with different musicians, it's going to have a different sound, and I want to keep doing that. There are musicians that I look up to, like Marty Stewart and Darryl Scott who marty Stewart will do a black gospel record, then he'll do a rock record, then he'll do a country record. But it's always good. But it's got a different feel. And in the last record he did, he had Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had him produce it. And I like the even for seasoned musicians who have a style and an idea of music, it's good to get out of your comfort zone. And so that's what I do. 00:9: 59--00:10:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I agree. One of the things that surprised me in talking to you is that you really have an artistic mind. Right. There are a lot of artists that are really focused on the craft, and you are great at your craft. There's nothing to short you there. But you also get into the whole conceptual, artistic thinking as well, about the concept of what you're doing, the concept of what you're playing, like partnering with the younger players, I think it makes your work have a depth that is unique a lot of times. So I'm pretty excited about what you're doing. How do you think it'll change your live performances? 00:10:48 --00:013:37 Darren Nicholson:   It already has. Playing with Colby and just the last few years, it's reinvigorated my interest in music. And so for years and years, I would do shows and I would just show up and play, and I would go home or go do whatever. But during the pandemic, when I had some personal changes and some lifestyle changes, I've almost had this rebirth and this fire reignited in me for music. And so I find myself every day writing songs or getting my instruments out of the case and practicing at home. Plus, I play shows five or six days a week somewhere. I'm doing a lot of traveling, a lot of playing, but I'm really inspired to get better and being with young musicians with different ideas and new ideas to kind of get me out of my thing, I think it's important.  I love that saying, if you do what you've always done, you'll have what you've always had. And so I want to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. I want to grow my business. I want to grow my music. And the biggest thing for me is not about when I say grow my music, I don't necessarily mean I want my name in the Marquee Lights, playing in front of 10,000 people or playing arenas. I want to do more shows, and I don't care if the shows are for less people. I like the intimate listening rooms, and I like smaller crowds. I've been doing a lot of solo and due at shows, and a lot of this came out of the pandemic where I was doing house concerts and these smaller things, and it just clicked with me.  I'm like, man, this is how this music was intended. When I look at your background, what I see is I see people in these mountains, on their porches and in their living rooms playing music. That's how I grew up. And then when we started doing that during the pandemic, there's a connection that happens with the music that does not happen at a big theater show or a big arena. There's a connection that happens when you can almost reach out and touch the artist with the music that's so organic. And I'm like, that is what I want to grow into. I want to be the guy who takes music everywhere.  I want to share the joy and share music and share culture, and I want to be an ambassador for Western North Carolina music and for the culture that I love and make people happy in the process. 00:13: 38--00:14:09  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's pretty fantastic. You mentioned songwriting. I saw on your Facebook the other day you had just written a song with Charles Humphrey III, who's also been on this show and is a friend of the gateway that smoked his podcast, and you sang it. It was really nice. So you're doing a lot of songwriting, and you talk about it quite a bit, but did you start playing first or songwriting first, and what inspired your interest in spotting songwriting? 00:14:10 --00:014:18   Darren Nicholson:  Well, are you talking about, would I get interested in just performing music first or songwriting? 00:14: 18--00:14:58  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, it's interesting the question is, I think some people in my craft, which is doing painting and things like that, some people become just interested, really drawing well, or really painting a rose and doing it really well, or other people have a purpose that they're doing it for. They want to communicate something, they want to say something and have meaning behind the craft. So what is your approach? 00:14:59 --00:017:15   Darren Nicholson:  Well, that is my approach to songwriting is I love songs that tell stories and songs that have a deeper meaning. I don't like songs that paint pictures. Like my grandpa's cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountain hills. We played there when I was a kid, like nostalgia songs and things like that. To me, anybody can write those. But when you start getting into deeper meaning, like talking about love or hope or inspiration or a message in a song or telling a story, basically turning a three and a half minute musical piece, it's basically like a three and a half minute sitcom. I think those kind of songs connect on a deeper level, and that's usually what I'm going for. We don't always do it. Sometimes we write silly songs, sometimes you're not going to change the world with every song. But those are the songs that I like, and that's what I'm trying to do with my songwriting, is write something that's meaningful to somebody. But for the song we wrote the other day, I put a really rough video out on Facebook, and it was not the greatest singing or playing, it was just really rough and raw. And to do that, it takes vulnerability. There are some artists who really hide behind going into the recording studio, you know what I mean? Once Pro Tools and everything's run through, they sound like a million bucks. But you don't ever see them sing live. You don't ever see them. You get on there with just them and their instrument and perform. And I think there's a vulnerability about that. If you can translate it well enough to convey the emotion.  I think people are connected to the wrongness of that on a certain level. And I be dang. I put that video out and I got a call from a national touring act. That's one of the biggest acts in bluegrass. And before the day was out, they're going in next week and recording that song. 00:17: 16--00:17:18  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Oh, my gosh, 00:17:18 --00:017:20   Darren Nicholson:  We wrote that song two days ago. 00:17: 20--00:17:22  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's fabulous. That's the way to do it. 00:17:24 --00:017:38  Darren Nicholson: They said, do you have a work tape of it? And I said, well, we just wrote it like 30 minutes ago, and I had a rough work tape of it on my phone. I sent it, that and the lyrics, and they called me right back and said, we're going to cut it next week. 00:17: 38--00:18:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Wow, fabulous. There you go. My conversations with you. We're planning a performance, and this is my little pitch for the Meadowlark I'm weaving it in here, but the Meadowlark Motel has a speakeasy called the Skylark SpeakEasy. And we've been talking to you about it. We've been doing some great musical acts there and talking to you. You really had the idea of saying, I'll do some set of music, but then I want to have conversations with the audience and then I may even jam with some people that might show up. It seems to be that this sense of community and intimacy is central to what you do and why you left Balsam Range and why you're performing and you said small clubs and things like that.  I think one of the essences of what you're trying to be is a community and having intimacy with your community. 00:18:38 --00:020:42  Darren Nicholson:  It's an organic approach, but I think that's how you build long-term fans. And when I was talking about that vulnerability, like in that video, when you connect with people on a personal level, people would see me with Balsam range, and they only saw probably really about 5% of what I can do. If you want to get to know me and my personality and my ability, my talent, you would come to see me at a solo show or one of my other performances. And that's not for everybody. Some people don't like my music or my personality, and that's fine. They don't have to come. But for the people who do and come see me in that capacity, that's the way to build relationships. And I'm not really interested in making fans. I want to make friends and I want to perpetuate the kind of culture that I was brought up in. That very much is a sense of community. The technological world has created a place where people are missing a sense of belonging, and that's why they join these little groups, and that's why there's a division in politics and there's a division in social issues. Because anytime people are so disconnected in a way, it's way that they can feel a part of any kind of group, it's almost like, this is my family online, this is my tribe. And so I want to kind of do that with music. I want to make a place where people can come together with music.  And you don't have to worry about politics, you don't have to worry about social issues, you don't have to worry about enjoying music and just having fun. A night of entertainment. 00:20: 42--00:22:20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I grew up in the smoking mountains here, and I get it really well. Recently, my family first got the Meadowlark Motel, my grandmother, first of my parents, and they hired maid who was with us for a long time, and us kids would actually work with her and clean and became good friends. She actually sort of babysitters and things like that. And then her sister was much younger than her, came and did some things here. Well, recently her sister showed back up here to come to the restaurant, and she saw pictures on the wall community. She came to talk to me, and her sister had died.  And the fact that we're celebrating the culture that was here and is still here, she started crying, and she started talking and being part of it, and other people communicate, but even with the people that you worked with, there was a sense of community and intimacy and understanding that existed here. And I really appreciate that. You are perpetuating. I can remember the old timers would get together in a basement and have a little party, right, and bring out their instruments and sing, and then people would start clogging and dancing. That sort of is a way of life and a way of being that you felt connected. And I understand what you're talking about. Right. Do you think the way you design this program that you're going to do with Meadowlark is stemming from directly from that culture? I think it does. 00:22:21 --00:023:45  Darren Nicholson:   It does. Yeah. And that's what I want people to get to know me especially. There are fans of Balsam Range who are like, why in the world would you leave why would you leave that band when they seem to be doing all these things? And it's like, well, this is a good opportunity. If people have questions about my career, like what I want to do, why I want to play music, why I want to do more shows, or why I want to do the things that I want to do, I can explain it to them, and then they don't have to keep guessing. I don't expect questions about Balsam Range, but they can ask me questions about my childhood, how I got into music, the music business, instruments, whatever.  I think when you have an evening like that with people, it's different than just buying a ticket, sitting in a seat, watching somebody play for an hour, and then going home and be like, hey, that was good. There's a connectivity that I think goes along with the music that is just as important. 00:23: 46--00:24:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, we've been having some weekly jams here on Sundays, five to seven people listening, and I'm hoping some of them old-time players we had this last Sunday old time, like 70 something, 75 something people show up and just started clogging, and they're, you know, singing and playing. I hope some of them come and take you up on the offer to jam with them at the end. That would be a major, I think, cultural moment. 00:24: 18 --00:024:45  Darren Nicholson:  So that's what it's all about. And I remember, like, players that I looked up to and players that I wanted to play. I remember when people like Steve Sutton or Mark Pruitt or Arvill Freeman were like, hey, man, get your manly. And Ralph Lewis would always take his Manlyn off and hand it to me, and that was a big deal. He's like, get up and play one with the band that meant so much to me, to a young budding musician. And it's like, man, that was a self-esteem builder. That was a motivator. And I also remember the musicians that were kind of like, who made me feel less than, too, you know what I mean? Who made me feel like, hey, you're not good enough to play with me or don't talk to me. And I do not want to perpetuate and I don't want to come across with that kind of attitude because I have zero tolerance for that. And I'm sure I've probably people the wrong way if I've been in a bad mood after a show or something. I've not lived my life perfectly, but I've never intentionally ever wanted to make someone feel bad or not make someone feel welcome. People remember how you make them feel. I love that. I love that about my musical heroes, Steve and Ralph. Those are the kind of things that I don't want to die. These old times. 00:25: 46--00:26:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That's right. The reason I'm here, too, is because I don't want that culture to die. I'm trying to do my part also, my little tiny part, to try to perpetuate and progress it. It doesn't have to be these mummified things. It can be a thing that grows right. And I'm glad that you are helping grow that now. I was trying to keep this to about 30 minutes, so we're about at that time, what do you want to tell people? Shout out to people to find out more or look you up or what do you want to tell them? 00:26: 18 --00:027:29  Darren Nicholson:  Well, a couple of things going on. I've been working really hard on doing a benefit. It's going to do a lot to help the community. The Steve Sutton Fest is going to happen June 3rd at Silverado in Black Mountain, and proceeds are going to go to Haywood County schools, Buckham county schools, and the IBMA trust fund. That's going to be on June 3 at Silverado with Perpetual Groove being the headliner. But then also I have a brand new single out. It's called Arkansas without you. You can stream it anywhere. Spotify pandora apple Music Arkansas Without You I've got a brand new bluegrass record out with songs that I've written. And if you go to my website dear Nicholson Net, I've got about 120 dates on the books for next year and going to be going all across the country and probably we're going to do over 200 when the smoke clears the road dates, and going to be traveling out further, doing a tour out west. Going to Canada. It's a really exciting time, so I encourage people to come out and see some live music. 00:27: 30--00:29:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Well, thank you very much for being on the show. I might mention that Darren also plays a lot here in the Smoky, especially in Hayward County. So if you can't find a place in the country, just come here and visit and stay at the Meadowlark Motel he might be here or he'll be some other great place here in town. There are a lot of wonderful music venues and things in Hayward County that are worthwhile and have a lot of authenticity. Right. Haywood County has not become a dramatically corporate tourist county. It's still pretty authentic in terms of the way of life and how people live here and how people enjoy music. So come on down to hear them out, either on the road or here. I'll just shout out if you can find out more about the Meadowlark Motel@ meadowlarkmotel.com and if you go slash homecraft, you'll find out about a restaurant, which is almost it's a mountain heritage food with a twist. My wife is from Trinidad, and we do a lot of Caribbean Trinidad spices and things like tomato gravy or cream corn. We just twisted a little bit. But you still taste the authenticity of these mountains in there. People are just raving about it. And we're getting great reviews online and some newspapers are great. And when you come here, you're going to get some Darren. All right. I hope I'll get a testimonial out of that. 00:29:00 --00:029:01  Darren Nicholson: I like your haircut.00:29: 02--00:29:57 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It's the perfect haircut. The Gateway to Smokies podcast exists on Smokiesadventure.com. It has its own Facebook page, but all the episodes, the previous ones had a couple of different series, longer episodes, but these are going to be shorter but more fun episodes. And you can go there and find more about everything in the Smokies because it's also a great site for directories of things like places to stay, lodging all over the Smokies, not just Haywood County, and what to do, and attractions and things like that. So thank you all for listening. This has been the gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can go to Facebook.com, Gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, or you can go to Smokiesadventure.com to find out more about this. And I'll see you all next week. 00:29:59 --00:030:00 Hey, thanks for having me. Bye. 

Scott Watson visits with Tim Surrett of Balsam Range and a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Y'all! Chapel Hart got a Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent! Mary Lynne and Sarah find some joy in the midst of some tough times by talking about 5 songs they've got on repeat this month. You'll hear tunes from Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Balsam Range, Willie Jones, and of COURSE Chapel Hart! Plus cameos from Aretha Franklin, TLC, and HARDY! It's our most music-packed episode yet. Here's a link to our Companion Playlist for this episode! And this one will take you to my "Pre-Tour Playlist". Website: www.letstalkcountry.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/letstalkcountry Social media links: Instagram Facebook Twitter Or email us! letstalkcountrypodcast@gmail.com

Darren talkings about his life in bluegrass music and where he see bluegrass going in the future. He also performs some great music. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sandy-carlton/message

Thomm Jutz is a German-born American singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist based in Nashville, Tennessee.He has worked with folk singer Nanci Griffith (as a member of her Blue Moon Orchestra), Eric Brace & Peter Cooper, Mary Gauthier, Mac Wiseman, Bobby Bare, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, David Olney, Otis Gibbs, Kim Richey, Bill Anderson, Amy Speace,[1] Milan Miller and Marc Marshall.[2]His songs have been recorded by Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Kim Richey, Junior Sisk, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Balsam Range, Buddy Melton, Milan Miller and Terry Baucom.[3]Jutz co-wrote the top two singles of 2016 listed on the Bluegrass Today Airplay chart. Jutz signed with Mountain Home Music Company in 2019. New albums "To Live in Two Worlds – Vol 1 & 2" were released in 2020. Singles "Mill Town Blues", "I Long to Hear Them Testify", "Hartford's Bend" and "Jimmie Rodgers Rode a Train" were released in 2019. He also signed as a writer with Asheville Music Publishing in 2018.[4] "To Live In Two Worlds, Vol 1" was nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award in the Bluegrass category.[5]Awards:Grammy Nomination for Best Bluegrass Album 2020, IBMA Songwriter of the Year 2021, Recipient of two SESAC Awards, Nominated for IBMA Songwriter of the Year in 2017, 2018, 2019, Nominated for IBMA Album of the Year in 2017Teaching:Lecturer in the Songwriting Department at Belmont University in NashvilleFor more on Thomm's work: https://thommjutz.com/homeFollow him on social: @THOMMJUTZ

Scott J Watson talks with Marc Pruett of Balsam Range about a recent injury that threatened his career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc Pruett seems like he is always smiling.  He talks with Scott J Watson about the smile and a new book Rascally Mountain Boy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a podcast episode with Garret Woodward. Tune in to hear about his coverage of the local music scene and his conversation with the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild.Garret Woodward is an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York, he was a college track star. After graduating with a degree in Journalism and working across the country in a variety of Journalism jobs, he became a weekly Columnist for Smoky Mountain News in 2012, and later also a columnist for Smoky Mountain Living. Best known for his interviews with musicians and compelling human-interest stories, Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. A popular past guest on our show, Garret returns today to discuss his books, his music, and the Legendary Musician Raymond Fairchild. He will also mention some new exciting projects and catch up on post-pandemic event plans.Don't miss this fun interview!Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.Show NotesSegment 1Starting off today's episode, Joseph mentions his very own Meadowlark Motel, which is the sponsor for the show and some upcoming events. On March 26th, renowned author and General Manager at the motel for the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Bob Plott, wil be doing a seminar about the history of hunting in the Smokies along with a barbeque dinner and live music! He also mentions a fly fishing camp weekend on April 15-17. Joseph introduces today's guest, Garret Woodward, an award-winning journalist, author, events promoter, and musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. Garret is also the author of two books and is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine while also promoting live music events with his own newly formed company. He is also a native of Upstate New York. Garret still works for the Rolling Stone magazine. He is currently working on writing about the state of bluegrass music. Garret and Joseph share their love for interacting with people. Garret says that even if this wasn't his job, he would still be talking to everyone and asking questions.Segment 2Garret speaks about having an older father and because of this, he was able to learn about much older music that his father listened to as well as what it was like for his father to grow up during WWII. he also talks with Joseph about coming to live in the Smokies which he thought would only be temporary. Garret speaks about running a company where he is looking to give more attention to quality live music in West Asheville, North Carolina. He also talks about meeting Darren Nicholson from Balsam Range to interview him while just arriving in North Carolina literally minutes ago without having moved in yet into his apartment. They discuss more about the music scene in the Smoky Mountains. Garret also says that going to breweries, restaurants and other locations are where the music comes alive.Segment 3Garret talks about his books. He is also currently working on a book about bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild who was an American banjo player. Garret was able to receive a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council to write the book. Joseph and Garret both knew Raymond and reminisced about the kind of person he was. Garret recalls interviewing Raymond early in his career. Garret's experience was great considering that Raymond didn't take a liking to any media. Raymond enjoyed talking to Garret. They had a connection that was special, especially with their passion for bluegrass music. Garret says that Raymond was a sweet man when you really got the chance to know him. For the title of the book, Garret says that he doesn't know the exact title yet but it will most likely be called Lord I'm Coming Home: The legend and Lore of Raymond Fairchild.Segment 4Coming back from the final break, Garret speaks about recently learning to play the guitar. He really loves it and started learning during the early part of the pandemic. Joseph mentions his speakeasy and the motel where people also come together for music and tells Garret that he can come by anytime to play music. Garret also talks about collecting vintage guitars. Every guitar he says has a different vibe and feeling. On the Facebook live video, he shows us one of his guitars, a 1940s Rotary Deluxe Parlor Guitar. It is beautifully decorated and Joseph was very excited to see it. Garret is also excited to hear that Joseph will have Jim Lauderdale, Darren Nicholson, and Charles Humphrey III to run the fly fishing camp. During this weekend long event, they'll also play some tunes around a campfire. It's all about being connected with the outdoors and more! You can learn more about it by visiting meadowlarkmotel.com. To learn more about Garret Woodward, you can go to smokymountainnews.com and follow him @garretkwoodward on Instagram.

A real bluegrass stew here, with a little of everything thrown in to make it tasty. High Fidelity, Balsam Range, Jim Lauderdale and Joe Mullins all contributing to a real feast.

Darren Nicholson is a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. You will learn from him some of his original American music from the mountains of Western North Carolina. He will also discuss with us his newly released project " Man on a Mission."  And if you love Lake Junaluska, Darren will tell us about the Lake Junaluska Arts Festival.  In today's podcast, Joseph McElroy is joined by our special guest, Darren Nicholson, an award-winning charter member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians-- including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer. We had him on the show last season and even repeated it once last year due to its popularity, so we invited him again this year, especially since he has a new project that has just been released-“Man on a Mission.” Don't miss this episode!https://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonBand/ https://darrennicholson.nethttps://www.facebook.com/DarrenNicholsonMusic/Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.Segment 1Joining us again on this second season of Gateway to the Smokies, is Darren Nicholson. Before speaking with Nicholson, Joseph talks about his sponsor for today's show which is his own Meadowlark Motel and Smokiesadventure.com, focusing on outdoor life in the Smoky Mountains. He also goes into special events happening at the motel such as activities like fly fishing. He then introduces Nicholson, who is a member of the legendary contemporary bluegrass group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians. Nicholson talks about dealing with the pandemic and getting back to songwriting going into 2021 when he wasn't performing live. Joseph recalls when Nicholson helped out during last year in Haywood County when there was a big flood. He along with Balsam Range did a concert to bring the community together during the relief efforts. Nicholson also talks about the Balsam Range Art of Music Festival.Segment 2Joseph and Nicholson discussed their collaboration last year to create the Darren Nicholson All Star Bluegrass Band Camp. Nicholson talks about wanting to do this to pass down and share the Mountain music and keep the culture strong with others who are passionate about music and want to play. He describes it as a communal experience inspiring and engaging with others. Nicholson also mentions some artists in his line up for his music festival and how special it was to have them in. They talk about his recent past performances at the motel and Haywood County and more about bluegrass music. Nicholson also talks to Joseph about being more of a mentor now being almost a veteran in the bluegrass industry. He talks about one of his own mentors, Steve Sutton, and the invaluable time he spent with him and how he has helped him over time in maturing and becoming the man he is today.Segment 3Joseph talks with Darren about his new album called “Man on a Mission.” Darren talks about some of the music on the album sounding edgy to even some having a bluegrass sound as well as rock n roll. This he says is his fourth solo project which is on the Mountain Home Label. Darren mentions writing about himself and his experiences. He says he likes to write songs that tell stories, not paint pictures. He says that there's something about bluegrass and country music that is so authentic and connects people together. Joseph says that his favorite song for the album is called “All Night Long.” he says that it relates to old Appalachian music. Darren talks about the feeling of loss and lonesome which was one of the emotions that he wanted to get out of this song. Segment 4Joseph and Darren talk about Charles Humphrey who was a co writer on his EP. You can go to darrennicholson.net to check out more of Darren's music and merchandise. His new album can be downloaded on many streaming platforms like Itunes. Some Of his merchandise are stickers. Being someone who is an old school wrestling fan, they joke about some of the humor like putting his face on Ric Flair's body. He also talks about Balsam Range going into their 15th year together as well as making a Vinyl record. Darren also mentions that later this year he'll be releasing a gospel album called “Songs of Hope and Inspiration.” Darren is also working with a bluegrass band called The No Joke Jimmys, from Nashville. There are a lot of fun shows he will be a part of this year. Darren also discusses always wanting to reinvent himself with his music. Joseph thanks Darren for coming on for today's episode and Darren thanks him as well for a great conversation and for being a part of keeping the culture strong in North Carolina.

Immersed in the bluegrass scene since the early 1980s, Jon Weisberger has enjoyed success in multiple aspects of the music business and community.  As a music journalist, his work earned him two International Bluegrass Music Association awards, as well as the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism, while his resume as a bluegrass broadcaster includes more than a dozen years as producer and co-host of the popular SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction show, “Hand-Picked With Del McCoury.  As a bassist, Jon spent more than 17 as a member of both Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (with whom he recorded seven albums) and the Roland White Band (whose 2018 all-star Tribute To The Kentucky Colonels he produced), while making appearances on stage or in the studio with a variety of other artists ranging from Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall to Jim Lauderdale, Pam Tillis and bluegrass Hall of Famers Hazel Dickens, Del McCoury and Alice Gerrard.  Today, he serves as an A&R Director for the Crossroads Label Group, while producing a growing group of artists that includes Carley Arrowood, Aaron Burdett, Fireside Collective, the Alex Leach Band, Unspoken Tradition and the award-winning collaborative series, Bluegrass at the Crossroads.Still, Jon is best known as one of bluegrass music's most prolific and widely recorded songwriters.  In 2012, after a year in which more than two dozen of his songs were recorded, he was named the IBMA's first Songwriter of the Year.  His songs have appeared on 5 Grammy-winning bluegrass albums, including 4 of the past 5 recipients, and on another 5 nominated projects.  To date, he's credited with more than 200 cuts by the Night Drivers (including multiple #1s); the Infamous Stringdusters; the Travelin' McCourys; the O'Connor Band; the Del McCoury Band; Billy Strings; Thomm Jutz; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Balsam Range; Blue Highway;Sierra Hull; Jim Lauderdale; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers; Lindsay Lou; Carley Arrowood; the Danberrys and more.  Jon released his first album of his own songs in 2008 (If This Road Could Talk), and followed it up in 2014 with I've Been Mostly Awake; both albums featured a stellar list of players and co-writing guest singers ranging from IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Shawn Camp to IBMA Female Vocalists of the Year Dale Ann Bradley and Claire Lynch to Americana favorite Kim Richey.  In 2018, he and banjo player Justin Hiltner issued Watch It Burn (Robust Records), an entire album of co-writes that featured backing from a dozen young musicians, including award-winning guitarist Molly Tuttle; the duo have a second project—a bluegrass gospel EP—slated for an early 2022 release.  Learn more about Lyte.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immersed in the bluegrass scene since the early 1980s, Jon Weisberger has enjoyed success in multiple aspects of the music business and community.  As a music journalist, his work earned him two International Bluegrass Music Association awards, as well as the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism, while his resume as a bluegrass broadcaster includes more than a dozen years as producer and co-host of the popular SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction show, “Hand-Picked With Del McCoury.  As a bassist, Jon spent more than 17 as a member of both Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (with whom he recorded seven albums) and the Roland White Band (whose 2018 all-star Tribute To The Kentucky Colonels he produced), while making appearances on stage or in the studio with a variety of other artists ranging from Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall to Jim Lauderdale, Pam Tillis and bluegrass Hall of Famers Hazel Dickens, Del McCoury and Alice Gerrard.  Today, he serves as an A&R Director for the Crossroads Label Group, while producing a growing group of artists that includes Carley Arrowood, Aaron Burdett, Fireside Collective, the Alex Leach Band, Unspoken Tradition and the award-winning collaborative series, Bluegrass at the Crossroads.Still, Jon is best known as one of bluegrass music's most prolific and widely recorded songwriters.  In 2012, after a year in which more than two dozen of his songs were recorded, he was named the IBMA's first Songwriter of the Year.  His songs have appeared on 5 Grammy-winning bluegrass albums, including 4 of the past 5 recipients, and on another 5 nominated projects.  To date, he's credited with more than 200 cuts by the Night Drivers (including multiple #1s); the Infamous Stringdusters; the Travelin' McCourys; the O'Connor Band; the Del McCoury Band; Billy Strings; Thomm Jutz; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Balsam Range; Blue Highway;Sierra Hull; Jim Lauderdale; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers; Lindsay Lou; Carley Arrowood; the Danberrys and more.  Jon released his first album of his own songs in 2008 (If This Road Could Talk), and followed it up in 2014 with I've Been Mostly Awake; both albums featured a stellar list of players and co-writing guest singers ranging from IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Shawn Camp to IBMA Female Vocalists of the Year Dale Ann Bradley and Claire Lynch to Americana favorite Kim Richey.  In 2018, he and banjo player Justin Hiltner issued Watch It Burn (Robust Records), an entire album of co-writes that featured backing from a dozen young musicians, including award-winning guitarist Molly Tuttle; the duo have a second project—a bluegrass gospel EP—slated for an early 2022 release.  Learn more about Lyte. 

Darren Nicholson talks with Scott Watson about his new album- Man on a Mission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You already know JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS from the ZAC BROWN BAND… Hopkins is a founding member, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist *and* songwriter for that GRAMMY-award-winning, Georgia based, Country Music Outfit… “HOP" has engineering and songwriting credits on ZAC BROWN BAND HIT SONGS including “Toes”, “It's Not OK”, “Sic Em On A Chicken”, “Nothing”, “I Play The Road”, and “Settle Me Down”. Hopkins also co-wrote the second single from the band's third platinum album, Uncaged, entitled “Goodbye in Her Eyes” — which was the group's 9th Billboard Number 1 Single... However, you might NOT know that... In 2015, Hopkins collaborated with the ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA on a Christmas album entitled, In The Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays. Featuring 12 tracks of timeless holiday tunes, the album features soaring arrangements and very special guests such as the Indigo Girls, Balsam Range, and actress/singer extraordinaire Laura Bell Bundy.  In 2017, Hopkins released his SECOND holiday album, You Better Watch Out, a collaboration with The Joe Gransden Big Band featuring special guests like Bela Fleck, and Clay Cook and Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band.  In 2019 Hopkins added his THIRD holiday album, entitled Our Finest Gifts — this time he collaborated with ATL Collective, and it features special guests like Trombone Shorty and David Ryan Harris. And now in 2021, the John Driskell Hopkins Band has released the long-awaited and celebrated album “Lonesome High” *AND* John Driskell Hopkins is a BIG Atlanta Braves Fan! AND HE BROUGHT HIS GUITAR AND BANDMATES TO VISIT US IN THE BRAVES RADIO NETWORK STUDIOS!  SO! so let's talk about music, Christmas, and the Braves with JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You already know JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS from the ZAC BROWN BAND… Hopkins is a founding member, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist *and* songwriter for that GRAMMY-award-winning, Georgia based, Country Music Outfit… “HOP" has engineering and songwriting credits on ZAC BROWN BAND HIT SONGS including “Toes”, “It's Not OK”, “Sic Em On A Chicken”, “Nothing”, “I Play The Road”, and “Settle Me Down”. Hopkins also co-wrote the second single from the band's third platinum album, Uncaged, entitled “Goodbye in Her Eyes” — which was the group's 9th Billboard Number 1 Single... However, you might NOT know that... In 2015, Hopkins collaborated with the ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA on a Christmas album entitled, In The Spirit: A Celebration of the Holidays. Featuring 12 tracks of timeless holiday tunes, the album features soaring arrangements and very special guests such as the Indigo Girls, Balsam Range, and actress/singer extraordinaire Laura Bell Bundy.  In 2017, Hopkins released his SECOND holiday album, You Better Watch Out, a collaboration with The Joe Gransden Big Band featuring special guests like Bela Fleck, and Clay Cook and Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band.  In 2019 Hopkins added his THIRD holiday album, entitled Our Finest Gifts — this time he collaborated with ATL Collective, and it features special guests like Trombone Shorty and David Ryan Harris. And now in 2021, the John Driskell Hopkins Band has released the long-awaited and celebrated album “Lonesome High” *AND* John Driskell Hopkins is a BIG Atlanta Braves Fan! AND HE BROUGHT HIS GUITAR AND BANDMATES TO VISIT US IN THE BRAVES RADIO NETWORK STUDIOS!  SO! so let's talk about music, Christmas, and the Braves with JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Notes My guest this week is a founding member of the award winning band Balsam Range. Darren Nicholson has also got himself a brand new album out called “Man on a Mission” and it is available everywhere you get your music, so go out and get yourself a copy. You can keep up with Darren at his website and also keep up with Balsam Range at their website!  Also, here are some links to some music we discussed on the episode  Marc Pruett Jethro and Howard Levy  As always big thank you to my sponsors for this episode! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation Northfield Mandolins Pava Mandolins  Ellis Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Straight Up Strings   Song clips featured in this episode: Love is War - Darren Nicholson (Man on a Mission) Trains I Missed - Balsam Range (Trains I Missed) Love, Oh Please Come Home - Reno and Smiley (Love, Oh Please Come Home) Lonesome Feeling - The Osborne Brothers (Once More Vol 1 and 2) Man on a Mission - Darren Nicholson (Man on a Mission) Bending the Rules - Jesse McReynolds (Bending the Rules) After You've Gone - Jethro Burns (Jethro Burns) Get Up John - Ricky Skaggs (Bluegrass Rules) Amanda Jewell - Darren Nicholson (Darren Nicholson) Rawhide - Darren Nicholson (Fret a Spell)

In our first episode, Haywood County's own Tim Surrett and Darren Nicholson of the world-famous bluegrass band Balsam Range talk about a variety of topics, from their recent IBMA awards to the upcoming Art of Music Festival. You'll also hear about the musicians' influences, some of which may come as a surprise, as well as individual projects each have been working on. If you listen closely, you may even catch Darren slip in a shoutout to the woman of his dreams. 

This week on The Bold & The Blue I'll feature all new tracks from the Balsam Range project, The Lorraine Jordan project, the new Deeper Shade of Blue project, the new Andrew Crawford project, the new Daryl Mosely project, the new Country Faith Bluegrass project and other brand new CD's. Join me for some terrific tunes on this week's edition of the show. Produced by The SBBRadio Network recorded live on 91.7 FM Community Radio and streaming world wide on www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net and our Quick Listen Link: station.voscast.com/5c2bf0e47fbe8/

A very special broadcast featuring brand new tunes from the Billy Blue Records recording Country Faith Bluegrass. This project features tunes from Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels (with Mac Wiseman and The Whites), Caeland Garner (feat. Balsam Range),The Del McCoury Band,Alison Krauss & The Cox Family, Darin & Brooke Aldridge,Patty Loveless & Ricky Skaggs, Dailey & Vincent, Marty Raybon and many others. Join us at 91.7 FM Community Radio and streaming world wide at www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net and our station Quick Listen Link: https://station.voscast.com/5c2bf0e47fbe8/

This week on the Bold & The Blue, Balsam Range, Sideline, The Larry Stephenson Band and Swamp Tooth will be the featured artists. Continuing to follow the tradition of the program, tracks from these brand new CD's will be headlining the program plus single tracks from Nick Chandler & Delivered, Prairie Wildfire and Jr Williams. Join us at 91.7 FM Community Radio or streaming at www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net and/or our Quick Listen Link: https://station.voscast.com/5c2bf0e47fbe8/

Gateway to the Smokies Podcast hosted by our very own Joseph McElroy, Owner of the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, NC with our special guest Darren Nicholson, a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.He is an Award-winning Charter Member of the legendary Bluegrass and Americana group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and duo concerts with his wife Jennifer.Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.Show NotesSegment 1Tonight's episode of Gateway to the Smokies starts off with host Joseph McElroy listing off a few notable upcoming events for the audience and for the local area to keep an eye out for. Next, comes the introduction of today's guest, Darren Nicholson. Darren talks about who he is, what he has accomplished as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, and the journey to become who he is today.Segment 2Coming back from the break, Darren talks more about his music career. He tells the story of how his friends and bandmates formed into the band he has now. They started jamming out in his kitchen and how it felt meant to be. They're releasing music now and a new album is coming out. They're looking forward to playing more live performances with their passion for music.Segment 3Coming back from the break, Darren keeps the conversation going by talking about what he did in his spare time as a child. His Friday and Saturdays nights were often occupied with music and jamming out. Darren also begins to talk about bluegrass music. He mentions how it has a large population of fans in unexpected places, such as Japan. Darren explains how his own performing group had begun to push to grow for a larger audience, playing for festivals and bigger venues.Segment 4The final segment starts off with the introduction of Darren Nicholson All Star Band Camp, an event at a music festival. Darren explains how a lot of people, fans, and local musicians gather out of fascination and curiosity. They want to know more about the music and the artists, regardless of their musical background. Darren gives hints about who to expect to play at the event, including some big bluegrass stars. The episode finishes off with how to follow up with Darren Nicholson on social media, website, and other upcoming events.

Buddy Melton from the Bluegrass Supergroup Balsam Range and Melton and Miller chats with Rick Dollar about the Pandemic, change in the music industry, IBMA and the future of Balsam Range!

Our podcast interview this week features banjo player Marc Pruett.  Marc has had a long career in bluegrass music having played for Jimmy Martin in the 1970s, the Marc Pruett band in the 1980s, Ricky Skaggs in the 1990s, and Balsam Range for the past fourteen years.  Marc recently published a book about his life growing up in the North Carolina Mountains and career in bluegrass titled "Rascally Mountain Boy."  Marc his here today to answer questions about this wonderful new book.

Aaron Bibelhauser is a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist from Louisville, KY. In addition to writing songs recorded by award winning bluegrass artists including Balsam Range, Del McCoury Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, and Dale Ann Bradley, he's taken first place in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest and earned a nomination for the IBMA's prestigious Song Of The Year Award. An accomplished solo recording artist, radio broadcaster, producer, and session player, Bibelhauser also fronts the Kentucky based bluegrass band, Relic (with his twin brother Adam), and recently joined forces with other accomplished Bluegrass artists to form the band Wolfpen Branch. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tophillrecording/support

Main Street Bluegrass Podcast #2110 for the week of March 14th, 2021. This week we’ll play GoodFellers, Cedar Hill, Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Balsam Range and Mark Kuykendall and Bobby Hicks together! Enjoy the podcast!

Catch this week's insider conversation with Tim Surrett, bass player with the renown bluegrass band Balsam Range that hails from Haywood. Here about the group's new single, the bi-weekly radio show Papertown Roots, and a project to chronicle Haywood County's rich musical traditions.

Tim Surrett, member of the award-winning and chart topping bluegrass band Balsam Range, will talk about blue grass music in the Smoky Mountains and current music scene.‍Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here.Show NotesSegment 1Joseph Mcelroy first introduces the Bulsam Mountain Range and it's wonders. Tim Surrett has a strong connection to the area, his band is even named after the area. He is a member of the award winning Balsam Range. Growing up in that area, nature was the greatest recreation they had. He has fond memories of his father loading up the car and taking the long way as they rode to the Smokies where they would trout fish. Tim's father was a musician, enjoyed singing country, and introduced him to music at a young age. He was also a fan of his cousin's band and wanted to join. Tim bought a bass and ended up playing with some of the people that his dad played with. He was able to listen to Raymond Fairchild pay at his school as a child. As an adult he was able to play with him at the historic Cherokee Festival.Segment 2Out of high school, at seventeen Tim began touring with a gospel quartet called the Happy Travelers. From there on he fell in love with gospel music and played it for a very long time. The music was popular everywhere. One time he even missed his prom to play in Detroit. The gospel audience embraced all styles, country gospel, bluegrass gospel and more. What was most important was the message and that the music was good. Tim tells us about his knowledge and love of the Cherokee Gospel.Tim was able to sing for the Kingsmen with Eldridge fox and Ray Reese. His first time singsing at the Grand Ole Opry was with the Kingsmen. People in Canada would drive six to eight hours to hear these performances. He played in Ashford at a festival called Bell Shares where they had a large audience of farmers and hipsters.Segment 3In 1991 Tim and his friend Mickey Gamble formed a new recording company called The Mountain Home Music Company. There's so much bluegrass and gospel in the area but he's begging to see more artist. One of the artists that stands out to him is Bryan Sutton. Tim met him while he was still a high school student. Tim thinks bluegrass feels the most authentic to him. The synth era of the 80s drove him closer to bluegrass, he has a greater emotional connection to it. Tim spoke of his experience with Balsam Range. When they formed the band in Canton they hadn't known each other for long. They had so much fun on the two records that they worked on that they decided to meet up and play together a few times. After getting together in 2007, Buddy Melton asked them if they wanted to join him for a show he was asked to play at. They were a hit and they decided to play together more.Segment 4When they named themselves Balsam Range they believed that they would only be a local group. At first they were going to call themselves the Great Balsam Range but though Great sounded too pretentious. All of the members are singers so there is not a single lead singer. They have a lot of variety in their arrangements. Their latest album is AEONIC. There is a new record in the works and their newest single is Rivers, Rains, Runaway Trains. Unfortunately Tim predicts that there will not be many live shows and things will be similar to the rest of 2020. Since last march he has only played three shows. Right now they are using this time to focus on their music. Every December they host their own festival, the Balsam Range Art and Music Festival. It is usually hosed in the Stuart Auditorium which is an indoor facility. Usually their guest will travel from across the country and internationally but in these times that won't work out. Tim Surrett currently has a radio show on WPTL Radio called Papertown Roots Radio. It airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm EST and can be found on Facebook as well.

Darren Nicholson from Balsam Range gives his opinions on EVERYTHING! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Balsam Range vocalist Buddy Melton joins Scott to discuss the band's hit song Grit and Grace which is at the top of the Bluegrass Chart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Cowpoke” es una de las tonadas clásicas de vaqueros de Stan Jones, el actor y compositor de Arizona al que le debemos canciones como "Ghost Riders in the Sky". Jones murió de cáncer en 1963 pero su legado en la iconografía de los cowboys no se ha borrado. Colter Wall ha recuperado “Cowpoke” para adjuntarla a su último álbum, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, que debutó la semana pasada en el octavo puesto de las listas de country y el tercero de las de Folk/Americana, pero que resultó ser el que más vendió en soportes físicos con un amplio margen. Este nativo de Saskatchewan, en Canadá, de 25 años, ha elegido en su tercer álbum ser más severo al revitalizar la tradición del Western y homenajear a los cowboys. Su voz inimitable hace que, al escucharla, te detengas y le prestes toda la atención. La actualidad de la Americana está impregnada de tradición seminal y de un cierto universo cinematográfico que representa fielmente Charley Crockett en su último álbum, Welcome To Hard Times, y especialmente en canciones como “Fool Somebody Else”. Esta vez es una mezcla de influencias siempre equilibrada por la predominancia del Western como eje central. Aunque la letra pueda hacernos pensar que trata sobre una relación amorosa, la realidad es que Charley Crockett vuelve a referirse a sus problemas de salud que le obligaron a operarse a corazón abierto a comienzos del pasado año. Kalen Nash compuso “Loving You Still”, uno de los momentos mágicos de Back Of Our Minds, el debut de Kalen & Aslyn, el dúo que forma el matrimonio de Athens, en Georgia. En realidad parece que estuviéramos ante un diario sonoro en el que se han reflejado sus experiencias de la última década. Tras distintas vivencias individuales, la pareja decidió resumir una relación desordenada, imperfecta y claramente honesta como la suya a modo de capítulos de una novela. El resultado final es una fusión natural de los sonidos cálidos de los últimos 60 y primeros 70 en el sur de California. Kalen & Aslyn, que también han producido el proyecto, dejan canciones seductoras del estilo de “Loving You Still”, combinando sus armonías a la perfección. “Grit and Grace” habla de superación, determinación y fe en poder tener un final feliz. Es una canción basada en la historia real de un prisionero de guerra que la madre del vocalista Buddy Melton escribió junto a Milan Miller y Beth Husband. Da nombre genérico al nuevo álbum de Balsam Range, la banda de Haywood County, en Carolina del Norte, que mantiene el arraigo como fundamento de su carrera, que ha obtenido el amplio reconocimiento de la escena del bluegrass manteniendo su genuina dedicación a las historias sobre personas reales. Regresan a nuestro tiempo de radio Steep Canyon Rangers, con un nuevo trabajo como Arm in Arm, que ya anticipamos hace un par de meses. Se trata del primer disco de la banda grabado fuera de su estado natal en sus 20 años de historia. Esta vez se han acercado a los estudios Southern Ground de Nashville para seguir rindiendo homenaje a las tradiciones más vitales del bluegrass, aun cuando siguen explorando nuevas rutas sonoras. “Honey On My Tongue” pudiera sonar como un tema de ruptura, pero en realidad trata sobre las dificultades de la paternidad. Hace un año este “Bad Guy” formó parte del álbum One Light Town de Casey Donahew y en estas fechas se ha convertido en una de las canciones favoritas de las emisoras tejanas. Trata sobre un tipo egoista que reconoce no ser perfecto. El músico de Burleson ha conseguido gracias a una ejemplar constancia en sus 18 años de carrera ser uno de los artistas más considerados de la escena independiente del Lone Star State donde ha publicado nueve álbumes. Once Upon A River es una película que cuenta la odisea de Margo Crane, una joven nativa americana que viaja a lo largo del río Stark, en busca de su madre, de la que fue separada. Con tintes de Huckleberry Finn, la novela de Bonnie Jo Campbell ha pasado al cine gracias a Haroula Rose, artista musical y cineasta de Chicago con ascendencia griega que vivió durante una temporada en Madrid, algo que nunca ha olvidado y que presentó internacionalmente la cinta en el Festival de Mallorca. El próximo 2 de octubre será la fecha de su estreno definitivo. Además de la partitura de Zac Rae, músicos como J.D. Souther o Will Oldham han incorporado temas propios. Rodney Crowell compuso una nueva canción para su banda sonora. Es “The Damage”, lo primero que nos ha regalado el artista tejano tras su imponente álbum Texas de hace un año. Crecido en Greenville, Mississippi, y fascinado por el blues más tradicional y el jazz, Steve Azar estuvo de gira con Bob Seger hace años, olvidó su paso por la escena de Nashville en la segunda mitad de los 90 y se ha dedicado a concentrarse en la composición y el reencuentro con sus raíces. Su último álbum, My Mississippi Reunion,se publicará a finales de octubre cuenta con invitados como el batería, guitarrista, cantante y compositor de blues Cedric Burnside en "Coldwater". Nació en Memphis, Tennessee, es hijo del también batería de blues Calvin Jackson y nieto del guitarrista R. L. Burnside. The Waiting es un EP monumental, fruto de la incontinencia artística de un trovador tejano como Wade Bowen, uno de los sustentos esenciales de la Red Dirt Music. Después de regalarnos el segundo volumen de Hold My Beer, un disco indispensable junto a Randy Rogers, ha publicado por sorpresa seis canciones que parecen ser una primera entrega de todo lo que ha estado grabando durante los últimos meses de aislamiento. The Waiting lo componen cuatro de sus canciones aparecidas en sus álbumes en vivo que nunca había grabado en el estudio, una composición que escribió hace tiempo junto a su amigo Brent Cobb y una versión de “I Wish It Would Rain Down”, su canción favorita de Phil Collins. “Get Away” la habíamos escuchado en su segundo álbum, The Blue Light Live, grabado en directo en 2003 en la popular sala de Lubbock. Ahora, Wade Bowen y su banda la grabaron juntos en New Braunfels, Texas, y posteriormente músicos de Austin y Nashville agregaron steel, coros y teclados, enviando sus partes por correo electrónico. También llegará en octubre Forever Better Worse, la nueva apuesta de Great Peacock, el trío de Nashville que parece buscar una versión sureña del clásico Heartland rock. Se fueron a los estudios Sound Emporium de Music Row para grabar las bases fundamentales del trabajo y se recluyeron posteriormente en casa de Blount Floyd, el segundo guitarrista del grupo, para culminar con un tinte mucho más personal que en sus discos precedentes. Incluso han contado con invitados amigos como Adam Kurtz, antiguo miembro de American Aquarium, y Sadler Vaden de la 400 Unit de Jason Isbell. “Heavy Load” se nos antoja una canción expresiva del momento presente en el que la interiorización personal ha tomado el protagonismo. Es un tema de amor irrenunciable a pesar de sus dificultades. Capitalizar la herencia recibida no es una labor sencilla. Esa parece ser la tarea que se han impuesto Devon Allman y Duane Betts hijos respectivos de Gregg Allman y Dickey Betts con la Allman Betts Band, a la que también se ha unido el bajista Berry Oakley Jr. — hijo de Berry Oakley, el que fuera también miembro de The Allman Brothers Band. El año pasado debutaron con Down to the River y ahora han publicado su segundo álbum, Bless Your Heart, manteniendo evidentes guiños a ciertos acordes siempre recordados de las guitarras de la mítica banda de southern rock. Ese es el corsé que se sigue evidenciando en sus grabaciones, el estar demasiado responsabilizados por sus apellidos. El famoso “peso de la púrpura”. Y posiblemente sea ese peso el que les impide explorar con más intensidad su propia personalidad. “Rivers Run” juguetea con acordes fácilmente reconocibles y deja un regusto enternecedor, pero posiblemente el septeto tenga que aventurarse por descubrir su propio camino. La despedida del programa nos lleva de nuevo al Forum de Inglewood, cuando los Eagles, ya sin Glenn Frey actuaron durante tres días, a mediados de septiembre de 2018. Ahora se ha resumido en Live From The Forum MMXVIII que se editará el 16 de octubre en varios formatos. Al trío superviviente de la banda californiana se añadieron Deacon Frey, hijo de Glenn y Vince Gill, un músico que por sí mismo ha tejido un tapiz imponente dentro de la country music durante décadas. Y para interpretar “Lyin’ Eyes”, un tema mítico de One Of These Nights siempre ligado a Frey, que solía dedicárselo a su ex-mujer, fue Vince Gill quien se hizo cargo de la voz solista con una solvencia absoluta. Escuchar audio

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of the County Sales Radio Hour with our host Kinney Rorrer. On this show, we will be featuring new releases on various labels that feature the finest bluegrass and old time music. Recent releases by Scott Prouty, Adam Burrows, Donna Ulisse, Claire Lynch and Larry Sigmon & Martha Spencer. Plus more great music from Patrick Crouch & Timothy Scott, Family Sowell, Balsam Range, Five Mile Mountain Road, Reno & Smiley, Jim Eanes and The Stanley Brothers. The recordings featured on this program are available for purchase through the County Sales website and the County Sales store located in downtown Floyd, VA. You can also hear the County Sales Radio Hour at Radio Bristol every Monday at 12:00 noon and again on Saturdays at 3:00 pm.

A primeros de abril vio la luz el álbum de título homónimo del californiano Logan Ledger, pero acaba de lanzar un nuevo tema propio como “River Of Fools”, que originalmente formó parte de la serie Amazon Original vinculada al productor T Bone Burnett, con la melancolía y la elegancia de un Western gótico puesto al día. A Logan Ledger le gusta dejarse mecer por las formas clásicas del estilo, con argumentos que les fueron propios a George Jones, Lefty Frizzell e incluso Roger Miller, como en este caso. Este comienzo de programa incide en las melodías clásicas del country de los buenos tiempos y ahora nos lleva al recuerdo de las formas de Merle Haggard y los Strangers de la mano de Zephaniah OHora que, por fin, anticipa su segundo álbum, previsto para finales de agosto, con esta delicia llamada “All American Singer”, con ciertos ecos de "The Fightin' Side of Me". El músico mantiene sus relatos de historias honestas y reales, reivindicando que la country music puede hacerse en cualquier lugar. Zephaniah grabó este trabajo en The Bunker de Brooklyn, NY, a donde se mudó desde su natal New Hampshire para conseguir trabajo en el popular Skinny Dennis de Brooklyn, un bar que debe su nombre al que fuera bajista de Guy Clark. Para este nuevo disco que da continuidad a This Highway, su debut de hace tres años, ha contado con la producción del desaparecido Neal Casal en abril de 2019, además de recuperar el Steel guitar de Jon Graboff, así como John Shannon a la guitarra, el propio Neal Casal e invitados como Courtney Jaye y Dori Freeman haciendo coros y el gran Mickey Raphael en la armónica. Es posible que Leroy Virgil sea uno de los grandes compositores del country contemporáneo aún por descubrir. Con suS raíces en Reno, Nevada, a pesar de haber nacido en Aberdeen, en el estado de Washington, el líder vital de Hellbound Glory, nunca había dedicado el tiempo suficiente a homenajear a la conocida como “la ciudad pequeña más grande del mundo”, famosa por Kurt Cobain. El álbum Pure Scum es, en cuanto a historias, una especie de viaje por los estereotipos más sórdidos que se le han agregado a Reno desde siempre. Y Leroy Virgil parece hasta estar orgulloso de que la virtud no sea precisamente una de las características de sus personajes. El mundo de Hellbound Glory es punzante, con una cierta poesía en como presentan a los desafectos de la sociedad en la vida real. "Damned Angel" tiene una especial brillantez gracias a la producción de Shooter Jennings y a su banda de acompañamiento que han pulido el resultado final. Un caso parecido al de Leroy Virgil, escondido tras Hellbound Glory, podemos observar con Zane Williams y Hill Country. El tejano, con siete discos en solitario y una veneración secular en la escena del Lone Star State, se ha refugiado ahora en una especie de supergrupo donde se han reunido, además de Zane, Paul Eason, guitarrista habitual de Kevin Fowler, el multiinstrumentista Andy Rogers y una base ritmo que conforman el batería de Houston Lyndon Hughes y el bajista de Austin Sean Rodríguez. Hay buena química y una variedad de formas que abarcan rock clásico, bluegrass, country y folk con unas armonías vocales como arma secreta. "Hill Country" como término puede asociarse a Luckenbach y Jerry Jeff Walker, a las colinas de los Apalaches o a las de la dorada California. En todos los casos son influencias de una especial diversidad creativa que han dado origen a sonidos fuertemente enraizados. Su paseo por la montaña en “Evergreen” es uno de los momentos mágicos de este trabajo cálido. “Richest Man” deja claro que el más rico del cementerio está igual de muerto que todos los pobres enterrados que le rodean. Es el nuevo single y uno de los cortes de Aeonic, tiene que ver con la indefinición del tiempo y que da título al último álbum de Balsam Range, el grupo de Haywood County, en Carolina de Norte, formado en 2007 y que durante una década viene conformado una de las carreras más brillantes de la escena del bluegrass. El quinteto tomó el nombre de Great Balsam Range, una cadena montañosa que rodea a su condado de origen. Eso sí, eliminaron “Great” para no ser pretenciosos. Sturgill Simpson es una persona indescifrable. El pasado 5 de este mes de junio, el artista de Kentucky, que se ha recuperado con extraordinaria rapidez del COVID-19, subió al escenario del mítico Ryman Auditorium para anticipar el que será su nuevo álbum, un proyecto dedicado íntegramente al bluegrass y en el que contará con algunos de los mejores músicos de Nashville. La grabación de este nuevo disco fue anunciada en Instagram por el propio artista con un mensaje que borró muy pronto en el que avisaba “Preparen su Zyrtec (que es un antihistamínico contra la alergia) porque estamos cortando la hierba”. Sturgill Simpson es una persona indescifrable. El pasado 5 de este mes de junio, el artista de Kentucky, que se ha recuperado con extraordinaria rapidez del COVID-19, subió al escenario del mítico Ryman Auditorium para anticipar el que será su nuevo álbum, un proyecto dedicado íntegramente al bluegrass y en el que contará con algunos de los mejores músicos de Nashville. Entre las canciones interpretadas por Sturgill Simpson en la hora aproximada de concierto, mostró una serie de temas perteneciente a sus álbumes anteriores pasados por el filtro del bluegrass. Ese fue el caso de “Long White Line”, uno de los cortes de Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, que produjo Dave Cobb en 2014 y que supuso su segundo disco en solitario, grabado con 4.000 dólares en cinco días y medio. El concierto de Sturgill Simpson en un Ryman Auditorium sin público tuvo mucho de recorrido por su carrera, que no olvidó sus aventuras como miembro de Sunday Valley, formado en 2004 junto al batería Edgar Purdom III y el bajista Gerald Evans, aunque tuvieron un impasse debido al trabajo de Sturgill en el ferrocarril. El grupo se reformó y en 2011 publicaron el álbum To The Wind And On To Heaven, donde se incluyó la versión original de “All The Pretty Colors”, recordada en el Ryman de esta forma. El escenario acogió a Sturgill Simpson con su Martin D-28 acompañado por la mandolinista Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Bub (bajo), Scott Vestal (banjo), Tim O'Brien y Mark Howard (guitarras) y su viejo amigo Miles Miller (batería). Como el propio artista recordó, "probablemente la mejor banda de bluegrass del planeta". Es indudable que el nuevo álbum de Sturgill Simpson va a ser todo un acontecimiento, con esa revisión tan particular de algunas de las canciones de sus discos precedentes. Así ha ocurrido con “All Around You”, una de las piezas de A Sailor's Guide To Earth de hace cuatro años. Aquel tercer disco del kentuckyano superó por entonces todas las previsiones, dando un notable giro a su andadura y logrando situarse en la cima de las listas y el reconocimiento de la Academia. “All Around You” ya fue uno de los cortes más reconocibles y cercanos de aquel trabajo que ahora en esta versión parece perfecto para paisajes agrestes y saludables. El concierto de Sturgill Simpson en el Ryman de hace una semana también incluyó un par de versiones de los Stanley Brothers, una banda seminal para los seguidores del bluegrass. Al margen de “Sharecropper's Son”, Sturgill eligió “Pretty Polly”, un tradicional que la pareja de hermanos grabó en 1951. Ahora tan solo nos queda esperar la edición de este nuevo registro de un músico siempre impaciente por sorprendernos en su actividad creativa. Entre las últimas ocupaciones de Sturgill Simpson antes de la llegada de la pandemia debemos recordar la producción de su último álbum¸ That's How Rumors Get Started, de su buena amiga Margo Price, para lo que se marcharon a los legendarios estudios EastWest de Hollywood. El resultado refleja un momento determinado que ahora adquiere un significado diferente, como si todo se hubiera ralentizado. El trabajo, que habla de su propia maternidad, el estrellato, la industria Nashville o la crisis nacional de salud, da la impresión de ser un álbum más cercano, en el que ha prescindido de las motivaciones políticas que incidieron mucho en sus anteriores discos, aunque Margo mantiene en suS declaraciones públicas su vigor habitual. Compuesta por la artista de Aledo, en Illinois, y su marido, Jeremy Ivey, “Letting Me Down” está protagonizada por un par de adolescentes que intentan escapar de lo cotidiano y que tiene cierta similitud con unos amigos de secundaria. En este álbum podemos encontrar canciones mucho más personales, que hablan de la maternidad, el estrellato, la transformación de Nashville o la crisis de salud. Sarah Jarosz nos ha regalado un disco tan brillante como World On The Ground, el primero en solitario desde hace 4 años. Ha sido grabado en su estudio casero de Manhattan y ha contado con la producción de John Leventhal, marido de Rosanne Cash, para centrarse en la vida en una ciudad pequeña, como pudiera ser su natal Wimberley, en Texas, con poco más de 2.500 habitantes. Es una especie de retrato fuera del tiempo. El título de World On The Ground está tomado de uno de sus temas más sobresalientes, “Pay It No Mind”, la canción de un pájaro que contempla el mundo y que sirve como ilustración de la portada del álbum, un cuadro de Erin E. Murray que sus padres le regalaron. Brit Taylor es la pareja de Adam Chaffins, pero es mucho más que eso. Crecida al este de Kentucky, ha mantenido sus raíces en su traslado a Nashville y ha superado un descalabro emocional que gracia a su determinación y música. Así nació “Waking Up Ain't Easy”, que reescribe su nuevo plan de vida, sobreponiéndose a los peores presagios. Esta nueva canción se ha convertido en un tema refrescante debido a su vulnerabilidad e incluso su complejidad, con una agudeza emocional que lo hace muy sugestivo. Es evidente que Steve Earle es un personaje especialmente inquieto y esta etapa de aislamiento producido por la pandemia le mueve a compartir con sus seguidores sus inquietudes. Ahora hemos conocido una versión acústica de "Times Like These", una canción compuesta al comienzo de la presidencia de Donald Trump que resume la ansiedad de una era como esta y recordando que aún puede haber esperanza a pesar de lo sombrío del presente. La versión junto a los Dukes se grabó en el Electric Ladyland Studios mientras estaban trabajando en su último disco, Ghost Of West Virginia, y se publicará el 29 de agosto cuando se celebre el Record Store Day. Nosotros ya la escuchamos en su momento en el programa. La emotividad de la música de John Prine ha regresado cuando su familia ha compartido la última canción grabada por el mítico artista que nos arrebató el Covid-19 el pasado mes de abril. Se trata de "I Remember Everything", compuesta por Prine y su buen amigo Pat McLaughlin y contando con la producción de Dave Cobb para contar recuerdos del pasado que dejan una marca indeleble. Se dio a conocer muy poco antes del homenaje transmitido por redes sociales el pasado jueves por la noche con artistas como Margo Price, Jason Isbell y Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile o Kacey Musgraves. Escuchar audio

Ken connects with John Driskell Hopkins and they talk about the Zac Brown Band, Balsam Range, Brighter Shade Studios, and more!See Videos of all of our interviews at https://bit.ly/FishmanLive-YouTube

Darren Nicholson is a member of the 11 time IBMA winners, Balsam Range. Darren joins me to talk about his musical career, the Darren Nicholson Band, and his upcoming new CD release featuring the single, "Any Highway."

Get set for a lively and in-depth conversation with members Buddy Melton, Darren Nicholson, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith and Tim Surrett, as well as many Balsam Range songs in this episode. Plus, you will hear from musician, writer and radio host Carol Rifkin as we talk about how Balsam Range and many other bluegrass bands employ outside songwriters frequently, and how that phenomenon dovetails with old-time and mountain music traditions. 

Welcome to the sixth edition of the County Sales Radio Hour with our host Kinney Rorrer. On this show, we will be featuring new releases on various labels that feature the finest bluegrass and old time music. Recent releases by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, The Rascals, Po Ramblin' Boys, The Band of Ruhks, Volume Five and Michael Cleveland.  Plus more great music from Big Possum String Band, The Indian Run String Band, Byrd Moore & His Hot Shots, Balsam Range, Chuck Wagon Gang, Larry Cordle, The Stanley Brothers, Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley and the Feleboga String Band. Recordings featured on this program are available for purchase through the County Sales website and the County Sales store located in downtown Floyd, VA. You can also hear the County Sales Radio Hour at Radio Bristol every Monday at 12 noon and again on Saturdays at 3 pm.

This week's Artist Spotlight features the brand new Aaron Bibelhauser project - Lovin' and Leavin'. The new CD has many guests such as Sam Bush, Balsam Range, Michael Cleveland, Missy Armstrong and many others. The Artist Spotlight segment can be heard 4 times each week on www.sbbradio.org & 91.7 LPFM Community Radio.

A weekly radio station segment featuring a full album from the very best artists from Bluegrass to Gospel selections. This week - Balsam Range with - The Gospel Collection.

This week we hear live performances from Yonder Mountain String Band, Balsam Range, Peter Case, Oh Pep! and Les Poules Colin.Support provided by Adventures on the Gorge. https://adventuresonthegorge.com/

Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range and Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters tell us about what life is like as traveling musicians and break down some perceptions of what it is like on the road. Darren is the founding member of Balsam Range (2018 IBMA Entertainer of the Year) and travels the world. Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters were on a European tour to England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and The Netherlands this past summer and both Darren and Amanda talk about travel, food and life as a road warrior!

New Grass Revival features a mix bag of surprises musically. This episode features tunes from Balsam Range, Irene Kelley, Gregg Welty, The North Country, The Hillbenders, Brandon Rickman and more. Join us at www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net and/or 91.7 FM Community Radio

New Grass Revival features a mix bag of surprises musically. This episode features tunes from Balsam Range, Irene Kelley, Gregg Welty, The North Country, The Hillbenders, Brandon Rickman and more. Join us at www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net and/or 91.7 FM Community Radio

The Country Mile episode 50! PLAYING: Carter Sampson, Kelly Willis, Dana Fuchs, The Great Divide, Levi Dexter & The Gretsch Brothers, Lexie Green, Twisted Pine, Teea Goans, Russell Boyd, Tyminski.....PLUS The Bluegrass Double Play featuring Balsam Range and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra....PLUS The Waylon Jennings Song of the Week! If you love the sound of traditional Country, Honky Tonk, Outlaw, Bluegrass and Ameripolitan music...this is the show for you!

The Country Mile episode 50! PLAYING: Carter Sampson, Kelly Willis, Dana Fuchs, The Great Divide, Levi Dexter & The Gretsch Brothers, Lexie Green, Twisted Pine, Teea Goans, Russell Boyd, Tyminski.....PLUS The Bluegrass Double Play featuring Balsam Range and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra....PLUS The Waylon Jennings Song of the Week! If you love the sound of traditional Country, Honky Tonk, Outlaw, Bluegrass and Ameripolitan music...this is the show for you!

A pre-release project featuring Balsam Range and The Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble. Release date is April 27, 2018 on Mountain Home Records. www.sbbradio.org www.sbbradio.net 91.7 FM Community Radio

In addition to being an accomplished musician himself, Ty Gilpin is the Senior Director of Marketing for Crossroads Label Group, and A&R Agent for Mountain Home Music Company and Organic Records, he currently works with some of the top touring artists in Bluegrass and Americana music including Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lonesome River Band, Balsam Range, The Grascals, The Honeycutters and many more. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Mittan)

Episode 14 of features Bluegrass and Rap for a diverse mix. Balsam Range is a five-piece Bluegrass band from Canton, North Carolina and named the band from local Blue Ridge Mountains. Papertown tells the story of Canton as an old paper mill town. The album won several awards including top Bluegrass album for the year and features some great covers including Elmore James "One Way Out" make popular by the Allman Brothers. Public Enemy is from New York City and their 1988 sophomore effort, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" is considered one of the greatest rap albums of all times. Delivering s strong social message that still resonates today, the album is full of passion and honest emotions and some great beats.

Cris Jacobs plays tracks from Dust To Gold and talks about creating a sense of immediacy in a song, what songwriters do, and his upcoming tour. Also on this week’s episode I’ve got that new album from Jamestown Revival, a track from that Adam Carroll tribute album. I’ve also got new music from Nathan Bell, Jeffrey Foucault, Tom Rhodes and Balsam Range. Plus I’ve got more new music from Jack Grelle, Courtney Granger, Southern Culture On The Skids, Hymn For Her, and a classic track from Uncle Tupelo. "Cris Jacobs speaks on the alchemy of songwriting (Ep327)" originated from Americana Music Show.

Today we salute the life of Ralph Stanley with one set of music--we'll do a longer tribute next week. As well, we feature Balsam Range who will be headlining at the Darrington Bluegrass Festival this coming weekend. Plus, of course, more birthdays and new music to celebrate.

This  year I attended the 42nd annual Wheatland Musci Festival. I am not sure how many I have been too; less than 10 but certainly at least 8. That may seem like alot but compared to many I'm a piker. Paul Haan has probably attended 25 and I know people who have attended nearly every festival. People return year after year not only for the generally excellent muscial variety but to renew friendships. Wheatland Music Festival is more than just dozens of concerts it is a thriving community. I hope you enjoy this audio program and get a good sense of what a wonderful festival Wheatland is. Natually enough I have included a sampling of some of the music played at the festival. You'll hear music by Bill Kirchen, Dervish, California Feetwarmers, some open mich music, Balsam Range, Rapetipitam, and Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton.   You can learn more about the Wheatland Musci Festival, held the weekend after Labor Day, on Wheatland Music Organization's property just outside of Remus, Michigan at their webiste (www.wheatlandmusic.org)

FTB podcast #197 features the new album by KRIS KRISTOFFERSON entitled Feeling Mortal.  Also new music from MAX GOMEZ, SARA SYMS, and JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS & BALSAM RANGE.  Here's the iTunes link to subscribe to the FTB podcasts.  Here's the direct link to listen now!  Get the Freight Train Boogie Americana  Android App from Amazon for only $1.99. Show #197 KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - Feeling Mortal  (Feeling Mortal) JESSE LAFSER - Anywhere I Got (Land In Sight) DAVIDSON HART KINGSBERY - 2 Horses  (2 Horses) DANIEL ROMANO  - Chicken Bill  (Come Cry With Me) (mic break) ROGER & THE ROCKETS - Little Things (Dirty Stuff) BRANDON JENKINS - Through The Fire (Through The Fire) TONY DENIKOS - High in the Low Country (Under the Church) SARA SYMS - One Last Hit (Fade To Blue) KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - Bread for the Body (Feeling Mortal) (mic break) MAX GOMEZ - Run To You   (Rule The World) SHAWN NELSON - In The Afternoon  (San Juan Street) DEANNA CARTEA  -  Open Road  (Open Road) JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS & BALSAM RANGE -  Runaway Train (Daylight) TOYKO  ROSENTHAL -  Mulberry Place  (Tokyo's Fifth) (mic break) KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - Stairway to the Bottom  (Feeling Mortal) (Feb. 1st, 2013) Bill Frater Freight Train Boogie

BALSAM RANGE is a group of five outstanding acoustic musicians and singers from Haywood County, North Carolina. All the guys in the band grew up in the rich musical heritage of the Appalachian South, surrounded by culture and heritage steeped in traditions of The Grand Ole Opry and other important influences. For their band name, they thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of their home county...where the Smokies meet the Blue Ridge. The band won the 2011 IBMA Song of the Year winner for their song "Trains I Missed" and were nominated IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year nominee in 2010 & 2011. The band's latest is "Papertown." SONNY MOORMAN is an award winning blues musician that hails from Hamilton, OH. Whether Sonny is deftly fingerpicking his Zeiler acoustic guitar, or playing sinewy slide on his Oahu lap guitar and Dobro resophonic guitar, this is classic Blues -- played and sung the way it was supposed to be. Sonny's current release is More Live as Hell - Up to My Neck in the Blues. Sonny will performing solo acoustic on WoodSongs.

The night was filled with music, art, and a story of an FBI raid. Also, did Jeremiah discover he was actually an anarchist. During the first hour, guitarist Caleb Smith from Balsam Range, talked about his musical career with the popular bluegrass band. He also played some live music that included Jim Croce’s Don’t Mess […]