Live Stream From Donna Ulisse Postponed!

UPDATE:

Due to a battle with seasonal allergies that has resulted in laryngitis, Donna Ulisse has been forced to postpone a planned live streaming concert, originally scheduled for Tuesday, 9/19.

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Sweetwater String Band’s New Album 'At AT NIGHT’ – Coming in Late September!

Born from the Sierra Nevada mountain region of California and followed faithfully since for its soulful, cello-driven bluegrass, Sweetwater String Band continues to delight fans from stages, radio stations, and festivals across the country.

Having just completed summer shows in Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana, the celebrated group takes to the road yet again for an album release tour promoting third studio album, At Night (September 29, 2017).  

Sophomore Release From: Hank, Pattie & the Currrent!

North Carolina’s modern bluegrass phenomenon Hank, Pattie & The Current announce the release of their second studio album HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH on Robust Records. Making use of traditional bluegrass instrumentation in an unique non-traditional way; the album features the full range of their talents as composers and arrangers creating an album as rich and deep as their collective musical backgrounds.

Their first album garnered critical acclaim and the single “Sundown” was on the ballot to be considered for Grammy® nomination.

Sisters’ Bluegrass Tribute to Dad Celebrates Good Times at Irish Pub!

In a new CD straight from the heart, sisters Wendi Kilman and Kelli Lewis of “The Boyz and the Beez,” pay musical tribute to their late father with two songs that celebrate his favorite place to throw back an IPA: Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Santa Cruz, California.

“Road to Rosie McCann,” a bluegrass song on the CD was already partly penned by their dad Fred Sherry Smith last year as an ode to the pub he loved.

But Fred, 86, died unexpectedly in December - never having completed the piece - so when Wendi found the lyrics on his desk, she decided to finish them, admitting she was worried about “doing them justice.”

Another song on the CD about the pub, “Thirty-two Steps to Rosie McCann's,” was written by Kelli before Fred’s death and was actually the inspiration for him to start writing his song about the pub.

The sisters, female vocalists from the “Boyz and the Beez,” have delighted live audiences in Southern California with their swing music for years.  Kelli lives in Huntington Beach and Wendi in Costa Mesa.

This latest CD, entitled, “Shoe Tree” is a gift to their dad, an extraordinary singer, musician and human being.

Wendi said even though she’s not a songwriter, the words to complete the song flowed as if Fred were sending them her way.

The playful, catchy song is about Fred “training” so he can continue to walk up those 32 steps to the pub for a drink, to meet his friend Mike, socialize and delight in the portrait of a pretty woman who looks like (actress) Jane Seymour.

A sample of the upbeat lyrics:

“It’s a big long bar in Santa Cruz,
I don’t go for the food, I go for the booze.
I’ve been a looong, looong time on the Road to Rosie McCann…
climb 32 steps if I have to crawl.”

One of Wendi’s favorite lines of blended dad and daughter lyrics from the song:

“It’s great to be alive I often say. Think I’m gonna have another IPA. Looong, looong time on the road to Rosie McCann.”

Wendi said her dad, “Never stopped getting excited about music and making himself better…He’d always say, “I’ve got a new goal.”

Daughter Kelli said she was always intrigued by her dad’s stories of being in the music business and performing on television and in movies during the1950s.

Fred, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, who as a child sang in movies, got his first big break in 1952 when he won the Horace Heidt national radio contest with an impeccable rendition of Cole Porter’s “Begin the Beguine.” He was a tenor with a crisp, velvety voice.

Wendi remembers bringing his recording from the Horace Heidt show into second-grade show and tell and puzzling her 7-year-old class mates who had stuffed animals and slingshots to share. It seemed so natural to Wendi because music was always such a part of the household.

In the 1950s after winning the competition, Fred launched his career with the Jones Boys quartet. The group would come to open for the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, as well as make appearances on the Ed Sullivan and Arthur Godfried shows.

Later in the 1950s, Fred became a studio singer, working with Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Andre Previn, Shelly Mann, Peggy Lee.

Fred often let his music meet his humor by picking up any instrument for an impromptu number at home. Kelli remembers that every year on the day she and her sisters and brother returned to school after summer vacation, Fred pulled out his upright bass and from the front lawn belted out, “Happy Days are Here Again.”

He left the full-time music business to open a lighting store after marrying and having four children.

But he never stopped singing and performing.

The CD is called “Shoe Tree,” because Fred became known in his Northern California community for nailing old boots and other footwear to a tree on his property, rather than see them wasted. There is also an original song on the new CD, about the tree, “Dad's Shoe Tree,” written by Kelli. It’s a catchy upbeat tune that brings a smile to listeners.

Before Fred passed he knew his daughters were going to record a “Shoe Tree” CD and expected to see both he and Kelli’s songs featured. His name will remain as the songwriter, but Wendi’s name will be there too.

Kelli says of her dad, “He taught me you’re never too old to do what you want to do."

'Shoe Tree' by Boyz and the Beez is available online worldwide at over 700 quality digital music retailers now.

Eddy Raven's All Grassed Up Available Friday!

Eddy Raven, country star turned country-grasser, is set to release his first bluegrass album titled ALL GRASSED UP on Friday, July 21st.

For this project Raven has teamed up with the much beloved and hit producing bluegrass band Carolina Road to transform some of Raven’s hit country songs with new bluegrass arrangements.

Farm Hands Set to Release 3rd Pinecastle CD!

Award winning bluegrass quartet The Farm Hands are set to release COLORS, their third Pinecastle Records album, on Friday, July 21st.

Evident throughout the album are the quartet's exquisite harmonies and tight instrumental talent.

First New Ralph Stanley Release Since His Passing!

With the release of the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ralph Stanley cemented his place as an American music legend.

His iconic voice became the voice of the mountains, and the last fifteen years of his life and career proved to be a celebration of this, with Grammy Awards, all-star collaborations, and induction into the Grand Ole Opry.

Two New Releases from Rebel Records

Rebel Records is excited to announce the release of two new albums: Big Country Bluegrass' Let Them Know I'm From Virginia and Larry Sparks' Lonesome And Blue: More Favorites.

Gibson Brothers to Release IN THE GROUND, Featuring All-New Original Material, February 17

It’s often said that “it all begins with a song.” From the beginning, the Gibsons have been known as "songwriters' songwriters”—and sure enough, IN THE GROUND is all-original, with only two outside co-songwriters; that alone makes it a stunning achievement. 

And while any new Gibson Brothers album would be big news and cause for excitement, the fact that their most recent album, Brotherhood, was a lovingly historical-minded tribute to the brother duet tradition, underlines how much anticipation there’s been for an album of all-new Gibson Brothers originals.

Alison Krauss To Release Exclusive “Bonus Track” Version of WINDY CITY Through Cracker Barrel Stores!

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® today announced Alison Krauss as its latest artist to release an album under its Spotlight Music Program.

The 27-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer will release her exclusive bonus track version of WINDY CITY in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online nationwide on Friday, Feb. 17.

CMH To Release 2nd Vol. “PICKIN’ ON THE 80’S

Los Angeles-based CMH RECORDS has announced the release date for a second installment of their PICKIN' ON THE BIGGEST HITS OF THE 1980'S release. 

Featuring bluegrass interpretations of the biggest hits of the 1980's, the PICKIN' ON SERIES album (out digitally February 24) kicks off with a spirited rendition of Toto's 1982 hit "Africa." 

New Album From Wilile Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grass!

Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grass and Wilson Pickins Promotions have released   GRAVEL IN MY SHOE,

The new album was produced by Edgar Loudermilk,  and is a well thought out collection of traditional bluegrass music, as well as some pleasing original music.

Ray Cardwell's Debut Album Tennessee Moon Available Friday January 13th.

Pinecastle Records has announced,  Ray Cardwell's debut album Tennessee Moon will be available this Friday, January 13th.

Nine of twelve songs on Tennessee Moon are Ray Cardwell originals or co-writes, and he is backed on the recording by a virtual who’s who of bluegrass elite including John Cowan, Rob Ickes, Scott Vestal, Andy Leftwich, Danny Roberts, Claire Lynch, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie Bowman as well as album producer Pat Flynn.

Read More >> >>

Bluegrass Fans Who Love Country Music Will Be Thrilled with New Monroe Crossing CD!

Monroe Crossing begins 2017 with a brand new release -- their fifteenth CD has been completed!

The collection is titled MONROE CROSSING PLAYS CLASSIC COUNTRY and it's a bluegrass treatment of songs from the golden era of country music.

Wildfire Returns To Pinecaastle with New CD Out Today!

Wildfire is about to make their long anticipated return to Pinecastle Records with the today’s release of their new album Rented Room on Broadway.

This is their fifth studio album and features two of the band's original members Robert Hale (guitar and vocals) and Curt Chapman (bass).

New CD from Blue Mafia Coming This Week!

Pinecastle Records has announced December 9, 2016 as the release date for HANGING TREE, the laest project from Blue Mafia, the spirited group that has been called "unabashedly bluegrass."

HANGING TREE is the band's second release on the North Carolina record label.

Bluegrass Tribute to Elvis from Holly Norman!

Holly Norman is back with her second bluegrass album.

TAKING CARE OF BLUEGRASS – A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS is available now. 

Holly’s sophomore album is a 'grassed up collection of 12 Elvis songs and 1 original written by Holly.

McLains To Release New Album Early Next Month

Husband and wife duo, Michael and Jennifer McLain, have announced the release of their new album, Hit the Road and Go, (November 4, 2016).

The McLain’s are joined by Grand Masters Championship fiddler, Dan Kelly, who has played and toured with the likes of Roy Acuff, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band and many more.

JD Hutchison YOU AND THE WORLD OUTSIDE !

“JD Hutchison is a musician’s musician. While he gave up the traveling life and music business many years ago, at 75 years of age, he retains a vital presence in his college town home of Athens, Ohio. He keeps coming up with new songs and his friends and fans keep urging him to record them.  The result is this fine album,” said Tim O’Brien 

ALL THE RAGE Released Today from Rhonda Vincent!

Rhonda Vincent, who The Wall Street Journal dubbed "The New Queen of Bluegrass," is giving fans the opportunity to experience the most exciting show in the history of bluegrass music from the convenience of their living rooms, as captured in their new DVD/CD "All The Rage - Volume One." 

The project features 14 songs, filmed LIVE at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee during a 60-minute concert setting, and will be available on both CD and DVD via Upper Management Music beginning today, November 11.